Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 5 years (and if you have, chances are you’re not reading this anyway), you probably know about the blogging phenomenon that has swept the web marketing world. Most people are at least aware that blogs exist, and an increasing number of businesses and organizations are beginning to realize that blogging is becoming an essential part of establishing a presence on the internet.
The word “blog” is actually a shortened version of the term “web log,” which is a website where you can post observations, thoughts and opinions, as well as photos, video, audio clips, and other media, usually in reverse chronological order.
Blogging can be immensely beneficial to companies and organizations. For businesses, it provides transparency and allows readers to see that there is a human at the controls. Customers want that personal connection with the companies they choose to buy from, and allowing them to be a part of the conversation increases brand loyalty and confidence in your products and services.
For non-profits, blogging offers a way for to discuss ideas and beliefs with others, getting them excited about your campaigns and agendas. It also provides an easy way to answer the opposition, correct misinformation, and sway the opinions of those who might be “on the fence” about your particuar cause.
Blogging is also one of the cheapest means of marketing, allowing you to speak to an audience of millions of internet users at once, with little to no startup costs. Compare that to the cost of sending out the same number of fliers or making the same number of calls, or buying airtime for television or radio advertising. It also allows you to focus on a more targeted audience, since people reading your blog are already interested in your subject matter and what you have to say.
A decade ago, websites were the big business revolution, and these days you can barely function without one. Now, however, simply having a website isn’t enough to compete in the world of web marketing. Your site must be interactive and conversational, and adding a blog is the easiest way to do it.
If you want more information on how to integrate a blog into your company’s web marketing strategy, shoot me an email at christina [at] thesociallites [dotcom].
