5 ways blogging can help your business
Not long ago, a diary was a deeply personal thing — a journal of thoughts and observations, kept under lock and key and often buried in a dresser drawer.
The Web has a way of changing things as we know them. Now, a diary of thoughts, observations and insight — posted on the Internet — may be a way to boost your business.
Web logs, or "blogs," are more than a passing Internet fancy, and they're not confined to the worlds of politics and high-tech. They also have become a way to engage readers and potential customers of businesses big and small.
"Blog" is simply an abbreviated way to say "Web log." It's a journal posted on a Web site, updated on a regular basis and containing news, opinions, ideas and brainstorms, plus links to other sources of information, other Web sites and other blogs.
Many blogs cut both ways, inviting readers to post feedback on what they see. While that can apply to everything from sports and entertainment to rants about high school math, it can also generate interest — and, ultimately, income — for your business.
No, blogs aren't for everyone. But see how they can accomplish these five basic business objectives.
1. Expose a new or little-known product or idea.
For Grant Smith, blogging makes a world of sense on a number of levels. Smith operates FirstStream, a Santa Cruz, Calif., provider of streaming video e-mail and related video communications products. Since many prospective clients might know precious little about video e-mail, Smith says his blog is a natural way to lay out specifics.
"I began blogging to get established in the technology," Smith says. "It can have a positive impact for business. Readers are always looking for more ways to find out information about companies and for ways to interact."
That, in turn, can lead to a more informed customer and a more time-effective sales process. Rather than your taking the time to pitch your product or service to a client who may not need it, a blog supplants you as an information source. If a prospect contacts you with an urge to do business, great. If not, you've wasted no time in explaining something that generates nothing in return.
2. Improve your search engine rankings.
Blogging also puts you in touch with prospects in other ways. As any company with a position on the Internet realizes, hits via Google, MSN and other search engines can provide a groundswell of leads. Blogs can add further leverage to the frequency with which search vehicles identify you and your company, particularly if your blog allows readers to post a response.
"Blogs, if done properly, have a tremendous benefit vis-à-vis search engines," says Brad Fallon, president of SEO Research, a search engine marketing firm in Atlanta. "Search engines tend to prefer bigger Web sites, for several reasons beyond the scope. With blogs that allow comments, every new post and every new comment becomes an additional Web page filled with additional keywords to be picked up by the search engine spiders."
3. Position yourself as an expert in an industry or field.
Blogging also can also prove an implicitly effective marketing tool to establish yourself as an authority in your field. Not only can that generate leads, it also sends a positive buzz about your credentials through the marketplace.
"My blog has generated massive traffic and lead flow," says David L. Carpe of Clew, a Lexington, Mass., consulting concern. "But it also serves as a stamp, furthering my credibility as a real research wonk. It also generates many leads and inquiries, some of which are actionable proposals, others pure networking contacts."
Blogging also addresses other needs, some of which supersede simple profit motive. For instance, doctors and other health-care providers are reportedly using blogs to vent their frustration about everything from malpractice suits to public misconceptions about health care.
That sort of emotional catharsis carries over into other areas. In September 2004, blogs were filled with remembrances about where people were and what they were doing when the first airliner struck the World Trade Center towers on 9/11.
4. Influence public opinion.
Blogging also allows users to bypass traditional journalistic venues and, in effect, become a publisher of their own thoughts and viewpoints. For Steve Rubel, vice president of client services at CooperKatz & Co., a New York public relations firm, they're also fast becoming a powerful influence on public opinion.
"Blogs have evolved into legitimate alternative sources of news on niche and micro-niche topics," Rubel says. "Anyone with a passion and dedication could become an amateur journalist. I feel some of these sites — in aggregate — are having just as much sway on public opinion as larger, more established media brands."
5. Engage in a forum openly with your customers.
Just as important, blogs that solicit reader comments can provide a sense of immediacy with your customers. In one respect, that's a ready source of feedback on what you're doing right and what you need to polish. Even better, it can also prove an ample supply of marketing muscle.
"My blog provides a forum for customers to give feedback after plunking their money down," says Fallon. "The result? While the normal market is lucky to have one-half of 1% of customers send an unsolicited testimonial, I have already collected glowing testimonials from over 15% of my customers."
Lastly, blogs offer a means to access one of the most human of needs — the desire to communicate. And, whether that's on a personal or professional level, that can prove every bit as enjoyable as it is profitable. As Fallon puts it: "I like to hear myself talk as much as anyone."
Interested in writing your own blog? See my companion piece on how to get started.
Article from: microsoft.com, by Jeff Wuorio
Saturday, 11 August 2007
>> Blogging for business: 7 tips for getting started
Make money
Blogging for business: 7 tips for getting started
A Web log, or blog, can be a boon to your business. In an accompanying article, I offer reasons why business owners and managers might want to establish themselves as bloggers.
But now comes the inevitable question: How do you get started?
Here are seven tips to get your Web log up and blogging.
1. Identify your audience.
A basic precept of any business is just as essential with your blog. It's critical to pinpoint your audience and, in the process, decide what you're going to say that will make them read what you write. "It's really a process of elimination —what's not being covered by someone else?" says Scott Allen, co-author of the upcoming book "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Using Online Social Networks." "What's your unique spin? If you don't have an original voice, why is anybody going to read it?"
2. Decide where your blog should live.
Next up is determining where to locate your blog. There are numerous software packages that let you add a blog section to an existing Web site. A more automated and perhaps easier option is a blog hosting site (with a link from your Web site bringing visitors over). Here, the setup is easy, as the site usually provides preformatted designs and other options from which you can choose. In particular, watch for features that may be helpful in building traffic, such as trackers that identify recent posts and the most popular message threads.
3. Start talking.
At this point, bringing your blog live will mean little more than placing your thoughts, observations and insights into the blog for others to read. But to really kick start your blogging traffic, don't just vent marketing-speak about how great your business is, or chatter about news and current events for which you offer no expertise. Instead, aim for a fresh, unique take. Provide a perspective that is heartfelt, compelling, and has the potential to help you market yourself and your business.
One way to get up to speed on what to say is to read other blogs and, in turn, offer your own viewpoint on an industry or business topic for which you know something about. "It's not a matter of competing with other blogs," Allen notes. "But one way to attract other bloggers to your site is to start reading other blogs and commenting on what they're writing about."
4. Get into the practice of "blogrolling."
Getting regular visitors to your site isn't just a matter of fresh, insightful commentary. Building traffic between blogs is another central element to luring repeat visitors. Here, "blogrolling" is an effective tool. This, in essence, is a set of links on your blog site that identifies other sites on the Internet --- related to your business, industry or expertise --- which you find valuable. Developed in conjunction with a fresh voice, blogrolling encourages a steady back and forth between various sites, including other blogs. "Write commentary about what other bloggers have written, then link to them," Allen says. "That really gets you into the overall bloggers' pool."
5. Emphasize keywords.
Search engine hits are another element of generating traffic. One strategy to attract search engine interest is through careful use of keywords in both your headlines and blog copy. For instance, if your topic focuses on marketing a business overseas, use of the words "marketing" and "overseas" as often as possible and in varied permutations can help push your blog site toward the head of the search engine line. "Stay on one topic, so your content is focused on keywords," advises Sally Falkow, a Pasadena, Calif., brand strategist who uses a blog in her business. "That, and link to other blogs on the subject."
6. Keep it fresh.
One cardinal snafu that can bring down even the best intentioned of blogs is stale content. Nothing is more discouraging to prospective readers than returning to a blog site to find old or outdated material. So, be prepared to work at keeping your blog as fresh and current as possible.
That doesn't necessarily mean regular entries as lengthy as a Michener novel — indeed, many engaging blogs are built of short, concise messages. But make a commitment to update your blog on as regular basis as your schedule reasonably permits. “You need to develop what I describe as a ruthless persistence toward posting, particularly if you disseminate the blog's address, and customers or suppliers come to depend on the information," says Rich Hanley, director of graduate programs in the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. "People view blogs as daily information vehicles, not once in a while musings on a stray issue. Think of blogs as a conversation, and that will help with the daily focus."
7. Watch your traffic closely.
Don't make the mistake of feeling locked into your blog's initial topic. Monitor the amount and quality of the traffic you receive. If things seem slow or stagnant, don't be gun-shy about varying your themes or subjects to boost interest. But don't stray too far from your business or expertise. Also, advises Falkow, "Investigate how effective the [publishing] platform you choose to blog in is. I have tried several that did nothing for my search visibility."
Article from: microsoft.com
Blogging for business: 7 tips for getting started
A Web log, or blog, can be a boon to your business. In an accompanying article, I offer reasons why business owners and managers might want to establish themselves as bloggers.
But now comes the inevitable question: How do you get started?
Here are seven tips to get your Web log up and blogging.
1. Identify your audience.
A basic precept of any business is just as essential with your blog. It's critical to pinpoint your audience and, in the process, decide what you're going to say that will make them read what you write. "It's really a process of elimination —what's not being covered by someone else?" says Scott Allen, co-author of the upcoming book "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Using Online Social Networks." "What's your unique spin? If you don't have an original voice, why is anybody going to read it?"
2. Decide where your blog should live.
Next up is determining where to locate your blog. There are numerous software packages that let you add a blog section to an existing Web site. A more automated and perhaps easier option is a blog hosting site (with a link from your Web site bringing visitors over). Here, the setup is easy, as the site usually provides preformatted designs and other options from which you can choose. In particular, watch for features that may be helpful in building traffic, such as trackers that identify recent posts and the most popular message threads.
3. Start talking.
At this point, bringing your blog live will mean little more than placing your thoughts, observations and insights into the blog for others to read. But to really kick start your blogging traffic, don't just vent marketing-speak about how great your business is, or chatter about news and current events for which you offer no expertise. Instead, aim for a fresh, unique take. Provide a perspective that is heartfelt, compelling, and has the potential to help you market yourself and your business.
One way to get up to speed on what to say is to read other blogs and, in turn, offer your own viewpoint on an industry or business topic for which you know something about. "It's not a matter of competing with other blogs," Allen notes. "But one way to attract other bloggers to your site is to start reading other blogs and commenting on what they're writing about."
4. Get into the practice of "blogrolling."
Getting regular visitors to your site isn't just a matter of fresh, insightful commentary. Building traffic between blogs is another central element to luring repeat visitors. Here, "blogrolling" is an effective tool. This, in essence, is a set of links on your blog site that identifies other sites on the Internet --- related to your business, industry or expertise --- which you find valuable. Developed in conjunction with a fresh voice, blogrolling encourages a steady back and forth between various sites, including other blogs. "Write commentary about what other bloggers have written, then link to them," Allen says. "That really gets you into the overall bloggers' pool."
5. Emphasize keywords.
Search engine hits are another element of generating traffic. One strategy to attract search engine interest is through careful use of keywords in both your headlines and blog copy. For instance, if your topic focuses on marketing a business overseas, use of the words "marketing" and "overseas" as often as possible and in varied permutations can help push your blog site toward the head of the search engine line. "Stay on one topic, so your content is focused on keywords," advises Sally Falkow, a Pasadena, Calif., brand strategist who uses a blog in her business. "That, and link to other blogs on the subject."
6. Keep it fresh.
One cardinal snafu that can bring down even the best intentioned of blogs is stale content. Nothing is more discouraging to prospective readers than returning to a blog site to find old or outdated material. So, be prepared to work at keeping your blog as fresh and current as possible.
That doesn't necessarily mean regular entries as lengthy as a Michener novel — indeed, many engaging blogs are built of short, concise messages. But make a commitment to update your blog on as regular basis as your schedule reasonably permits. “You need to develop what I describe as a ruthless persistence toward posting, particularly if you disseminate the blog's address, and customers or suppliers come to depend on the information," says Rich Hanley, director of graduate programs in the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. "People view blogs as daily information vehicles, not once in a while musings on a stray issue. Think of blogs as a conversation, and that will help with the daily focus."
7. Watch your traffic closely.
Don't make the mistake of feeling locked into your blog's initial topic. Monitor the amount and quality of the traffic you receive. If things seem slow or stagnant, don't be gun-shy about varying your themes or subjects to boost interest. But don't stray too far from your business or expertise. Also, advises Falkow, "Investigate how effective the [publishing] platform you choose to blog in is. I have tried several that did nothing for my search visibility."
Article from: microsoft.com
>> How to make money from your blog: 5 tips
How to make money from your blog: 5 tips
Many of the people who write blogs today simply want to share their opinion on something. But then there are the business-minded folks, who have found a way to use blogs, or Web logs, to bring in a little extra cash too.
I recently wrote a column detailing how to get a blog up and running to boost your small business.
If you're interested in taking it further — blogging for bucks, if you will — here are five strategies that could turn your blog into a moneymaker.
1. Sell advertising.
This is likely the most common means of leveraging a blog to generate income. If yours happens to become a well-known blog, or one that is well-received in a particular niche, it's always possible to sell ad space on your own. For lesser-known blogs, services such as Google's AdSense or BlogAds enable bloggers to establish ad programs.
AdSense's — which lets you select several ads that are consistent with the content of your blog — pays you based on how many readers click on the ads for further information. Even better, it's free. BlogAds, on the other hand, hooks bloggers up with would-be advertisers and levies a commission in return for any ad placements that result. "The nice thing, too, is that the ads are relatively unobtrusive," says Scott Allen, co-author of "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online."
2. Help sell others' products.
Here is another click-through opportunity. Affiliate programs enable your blog to serve as a conduit between readers and online sites offering various goods and services. One popular choice is Amazon.com. If, for instance, you offer book reviews or even just mention a book in passing in your blog, an affiliate program provides a means for your readers to click directly from your blog to Amazon to obtain further information about the book. If they break out the checkbook or charge card, you get paid as well.
3. Solicit contributions.
Not every blog-related income opportunity involves hawking goods or services. As Blanche DuBois did in "A Streetcar Named Desire," consider relying on the kindness of strangers. Ask for contributions. If, for instance, your small-business blog supports a cause or issue in some fashion — say you repeatedly mention tax reform, health care or some other topic — you can always ask for reader support.
Even if you've attracted a group of regular followers who simply enjoy reading what you have to say, they may be willing to underwrite their loyalty with a little financial help. Programs such as PayPal make it easy to establish a simple on-site contribution collection button. "There are lots of worthy 'cause' blogs that would qualify for donations from grateful members of the blog community," says Las Vegas communications consultant Ned Barnett.
4. Market your services in your blog.
Many people associate blogs exclusively with a cyberspace-based soapbox — a place to shout your opinions and little more than that. Granted, blogs are an ideal venue to share your thoughts with others, but don't overlook their capacity to generate new business as well. When appropriate, work in references to what you do and, in turn, what you may be able to offer any would-be client or customer who may be reading your blog. That can spread your opinion and your business moxie at the same time.
"Instead of short commentaries that begin a dialogue with readers, as many blogs do, I write the equivalent of journal articles that demonstrate my abilities, strategies and perspectives on specific issues," Barnett says. "When it resonates, it means money. Since starting this approach, I have generated three new paying clients and brought in about $10,000 on revenue — directly attributable to specific blogs."
5. Use a blog to deepen your existing customer relationships.
Nor does any marketing material inserted in blog content have to be limited to bringing in completely new business. By using a blog to regularly communicate with existing clients as well as other readers, you can take advantage of the opportunity to fully inform them about everything your business does. That may expand your readers' understanding of the full scope of your products or services.
"My blog has helped existing clients determine the range of my skills and services," says Ted Demopoulos of Demopoulos Associates, a Durham, N.H. consulting and training concern. "One client who had only used me for training in the past was surprised at my range of expertise and is now using me for a consulting project. Another who only used me on technical projects is now considering me for a more business-oriented project."
Article by: Jeff Wuorio
Article from: microsoft.com
Many of the people who write blogs today simply want to share their opinion on something. But then there are the business-minded folks, who have found a way to use blogs, or Web logs, to bring in a little extra cash too.
I recently wrote a column detailing how to get a blog up and running to boost your small business.
If you're interested in taking it further — blogging for bucks, if you will — here are five strategies that could turn your blog into a moneymaker.
1. Sell advertising.
This is likely the most common means of leveraging a blog to generate income. If yours happens to become a well-known blog, or one that is well-received in a particular niche, it's always possible to sell ad space on your own. For lesser-known blogs, services such as Google's AdSense or BlogAds enable bloggers to establish ad programs.
AdSense's — which lets you select several ads that are consistent with the content of your blog — pays you based on how many readers click on the ads for further information. Even better, it's free. BlogAds, on the other hand, hooks bloggers up with would-be advertisers and levies a commission in return for any ad placements that result. "The nice thing, too, is that the ads are relatively unobtrusive," says Scott Allen, co-author of "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online."
2. Help sell others' products.
Here is another click-through opportunity. Affiliate programs enable your blog to serve as a conduit between readers and online sites offering various goods and services. One popular choice is Amazon.com. If, for instance, you offer book reviews or even just mention a book in passing in your blog, an affiliate program provides a means for your readers to click directly from your blog to Amazon to obtain further information about the book. If they break out the checkbook or charge card, you get paid as well.
3. Solicit contributions.
Not every blog-related income opportunity involves hawking goods or services. As Blanche DuBois did in "A Streetcar Named Desire," consider relying on the kindness of strangers. Ask for contributions. If, for instance, your small-business blog supports a cause or issue in some fashion — say you repeatedly mention tax reform, health care or some other topic — you can always ask for reader support.
Even if you've attracted a group of regular followers who simply enjoy reading what you have to say, they may be willing to underwrite their loyalty with a little financial help. Programs such as PayPal make it easy to establish a simple on-site contribution collection button. "There are lots of worthy 'cause' blogs that would qualify for donations from grateful members of the blog community," says Las Vegas communications consultant Ned Barnett.
4. Market your services in your blog.
Many people associate blogs exclusively with a cyberspace-based soapbox — a place to shout your opinions and little more than that. Granted, blogs are an ideal venue to share your thoughts with others, but don't overlook their capacity to generate new business as well. When appropriate, work in references to what you do and, in turn, what you may be able to offer any would-be client or customer who may be reading your blog. That can spread your opinion and your business moxie at the same time.
"Instead of short commentaries that begin a dialogue with readers, as many blogs do, I write the equivalent of journal articles that demonstrate my abilities, strategies and perspectives on specific issues," Barnett says. "When it resonates, it means money. Since starting this approach, I have generated three new paying clients and brought in about $10,000 on revenue — directly attributable to specific blogs."
5. Use a blog to deepen your existing customer relationships.
Nor does any marketing material inserted in blog content have to be limited to bringing in completely new business. By using a blog to regularly communicate with existing clients as well as other readers, you can take advantage of the opportunity to fully inform them about everything your business does. That may expand your readers' understanding of the full scope of your products or services.
"My blog has helped existing clients determine the range of my skills and services," says Ted Demopoulos of Demopoulos Associates, a Durham, N.H. consulting and training concern. "One client who had only used me for training in the past was surprised at my range of expertise and is now using me for a consulting project. Another who only used me on technical projects is now considering me for a more business-oriented project."
Article by: Jeff Wuorio
Article from: microsoft.com
Thursday, 9 August 2007
>> The 4 Necessary Things for a Profitable Online Business
The 4 Necessary Things for a Profitable Online Business
It is important for you to know and understand that a successful and profitable online business need 4 things.
You need to get these 4 things right to make money with an online business.
1) Your Product
You need to have a product that people want to buy. Generally, there are 3 types of products people want to buy:
Products that satisfy a need of peopleProducts that solve a problemProducts that provide certain value to people
It is great to have a unique product because your product would not be available anywhere else and thus no other sellers are competing with you. Making selling easier.
If you have no ideas of what tangible product to create and sell online. Don't worry, you can get paid for the things you know by creating your own information product. Information sells well on the net. If you know something other people don't, you write them down in an e-book and sell it online at a reasonable price.
Every day people around the world are searching information to solve a problem, gain more knowledge or satisfy a need. So information products have a pretty high demand.
2) Traffic-generating System
Your online business needs a website to tell people what you are selling or to display your products in digital format. You will be attracting as much targeted prospects as possible to your website to generate sales. Why 'targeted'? So you don't waste your marketing efforts on those who will never interest to your offers.
Getting targeted traffic or visitors to your e-commerce site is what will do most of the time. You'll need to spend plenty of time and energy to set up and run different types of marketing campaigns (article marketing, PPC advertising, blog marketing, etc) to drive traffic to your site.
Your traffic generating system must be cost effective and ideally it will be automated.
3) A Consistent Sales Conversion Process
If all your targeted audience visited on your website but none of them take an action or make a purchase. Something must be wrong on your site.
You may need to edit your sale letter, the design of your website or invite your visitors to sign up your newsletters. Experimentations and testing are what you need to find out which methods work best and which are not effective. With continuous testing, you will find a system that will produce consistent sales conversion for your business.
4) A Back-End Product
One of the great ways to increase your profit is sell other product to your existing customers to meet their other needs. If you have been providing valuable products with good services to your first-time customers. There is a good chance that they will buy your other product since your have successfully built trust and creditability on your first-time customers.
So getting more sales from your existing loyal customers are very possible if your have other quality products that satisfy their other need.
A good back-end system will surely make your profit grow.
These 4 things is the basis of growing a profitable business. All of them are essential and needed if you want to see grand results on your online business.
The more we can automate the whole thing, the more hands-free your business can be. That would allow you to have more free time and yet the income will still come in.
Article From: Moneymakerinfo
It is important for you to know and understand that a successful and profitable online business need 4 things.
You need to get these 4 things right to make money with an online business.
1) Your Product
You need to have a product that people want to buy. Generally, there are 3 types of products people want to buy:
Products that satisfy a need of peopleProducts that solve a problemProducts that provide certain value to people
It is great to have a unique product because your product would not be available anywhere else and thus no other sellers are competing with you. Making selling easier.
If you have no ideas of what tangible product to create and sell online. Don't worry, you can get paid for the things you know by creating your own information product. Information sells well on the net. If you know something other people don't, you write them down in an e-book and sell it online at a reasonable price.
Every day people around the world are searching information to solve a problem, gain more knowledge or satisfy a need. So information products have a pretty high demand.
2) Traffic-generating System
Your online business needs a website to tell people what you are selling or to display your products in digital format. You will be attracting as much targeted prospects as possible to your website to generate sales. Why 'targeted'? So you don't waste your marketing efforts on those who will never interest to your offers.
Getting targeted traffic or visitors to your e-commerce site is what will do most of the time. You'll need to spend plenty of time and energy to set up and run different types of marketing campaigns (article marketing, PPC advertising, blog marketing, etc) to drive traffic to your site.
Your traffic generating system must be cost effective and ideally it will be automated.
3) A Consistent Sales Conversion Process
If all your targeted audience visited on your website but none of them take an action or make a purchase. Something must be wrong on your site.
You may need to edit your sale letter, the design of your website or invite your visitors to sign up your newsletters. Experimentations and testing are what you need to find out which methods work best and which are not effective. With continuous testing, you will find a system that will produce consistent sales conversion for your business.
4) A Back-End Product
One of the great ways to increase your profit is sell other product to your existing customers to meet their other needs. If you have been providing valuable products with good services to your first-time customers. There is a good chance that they will buy your other product since your have successfully built trust and creditability on your first-time customers.
So getting more sales from your existing loyal customers are very possible if your have other quality products that satisfy their other need.
A good back-end system will surely make your profit grow.
These 4 things is the basis of growing a profitable business. All of them are essential and needed if you want to see grand results on your online business.
The more we can automate the whole thing, the more hands-free your business can be. That would allow you to have more free time and yet the income will still come in.
Article From: Moneymakerinfo
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