Notes

Building Your Business with Blogging - Part 2: The Why
Blogging: The "Why"

According to Andrew Sullivan's article, "The Blogging Revolution," the blog is a unique medium that opens up possibilities not previously seen. "Poised between media, blogs can be as nuanced and well-sourced as traditional journalism, however they have the immediacy of talk radio," says Sullivan.

What does that mean for the small business owner? By their very nature, blogs do a number of important tasks for small businesses. They allow you to:

Influence public conversation about your organization

There are few things more frustrating for a small business owner than to be blindsided by way of a crisis rather than have a quick methods to respond. In her article, "Does Your Company Belong in the Blogosphere?," Katherine Heires says, "A corporate blog allows an organization both to keep an ear to the bottom to hear what's being said about any of it and, if necessary, speak up with a correction."

Even when your company isn't in crisis, a blog allows you for journalists to get the latest, most accurate information regarding your company--and that's important, because a Euro Magnet and Columbia University Survey of the Media in 2005 discovered that 51% of journalists view blogs regularly. Actually, according to marketing writer Brian Quinton, you might attract PR attention simply because you do have a small business blog.

website and credibility

A blog establishes your expertise in your industry. For example, Jonathan Schwartz, president and COO of Sun Microsystems, used his blog (among the many Sun blogs) to establish himself as a cutting-edge leader on issues linked to computer operating systems. In accordance with blogging consultant John Lawlor (blogs4business.com), "Bloggers that excite and provide value to their readers get traffic." In the same way important, blogs provide you with a higher search engine ranking, because se's love links and fresh, focused material.

Achieve customer intimacy

Customers want to see the human side of one's company, and your blog provides that giving your company a human voice. With a blog, it is possible to speak directly to consumers without having the info filtered, and perhaps misinterpreted or slanted, by journalists or analysts. Also you can allow your clients to respond with complaints, suggestions or perhaps a much-needed compliment.

Finally, remember that blogging is really a low-cost platform. That's additional money that stays in your pocket!

Andrea's writing background includes features, editorials, reviews, profiles, poetry and fiction. She was the winner of the MOTA short story contest in 2002 and received honorable mentions for fiction from Writer�s Journal magazine in 2002 and 2004. Andrea served as editor of AVA (Advertise Virginia) Magazine from 2005 to 2006. Check out her blog at http://creativewithwriting.blogspot.com.
My Website: http://atlas.dustforce.com/user/kennedy32parsons