Blogging Boosts Business

There are literally millions of active blogs on the Internet. Most are of personal interest, but a growing number, like this one, have been developed to serve their clientele and business. As of 2006, 10% of small businesses were using blogs as part of their marketing strategy. The size or available resources are not the defining factors for a business to create and maintain a blog. The question has become, is the blog appropriate for their business. The New York Times examined this question for an article in their Small Business section last month.

 

Small businesses can use a blog to promote an event or give their customers an inside look at their business. But for it to be effective, clientele must already be going to the Internet to learn about the business. For example, the local Wendy’s probably wouldn’t have too much use for a blog. But the local entrepreneur selling her fitness video/program through her website could benefit from a blog. If she posts about new diet ideas, alternative exercises, or other fitness information that would be of interest to website visitors, then the blog could help drive sales and awareness. One such blogger is Mark Seigel of GolfAsian.com who blogs at Thailand Golf Zone. After a year of blogging, he estimates that his web site traffic has increased by 50% and an additional $250,000 in new business was a direct result of his blogging efforts. His blog is an extension of the website and promotes his travel services as well as his firm. 

 

Another advantage to blogging over other forms of medium is the variety of ways to track how many people are reading your blog, how they are finding it, and, to a degree, what they are doing with the information. This means you can begin to customize your postings and content to the desires of your readers. This will reinforce and create new traffic. The trick is to not get lost in the numbers. To read more on this topic from self-proclaimed business blogging coach, Shonnie Lavender, click here . Or visit the Blog Squad at Better Business Blogging.