Blogs are everywhere; you can find millions on the web – from a teen’s online diary, to women chronicling struggles with infertility, to computer geeks talking about the latest techno toy.
But can a blog be used as a marketing tool? Until recently I was unconvinced. I saw blogs as a self-publishing medium for kids or as a marketing tool for the tech market. I didn’t see how they could help a business, particularly my business.
Then a couple of things caught my eye. First, I came across Yaro Starak’s Blog Profit’s Blueprint. In this free report, Yaro – a blogger from Australia – talks about how to make money from a blog. In fact, Yaro recently announced that he made over $10,000 in one month – directly from his blog! That sure made me sit up and take notice.
Around the same time, Robert Middleton announced a teleclass on blogging – The Secrets of Attracting More Business Through Blogging. Robert is a well-respected marketing expert and I’ve purchased other products from him in the past. I was curious and purchased the teleclass.
I spent a week listening (and re-listening) to The Secrets of Attracting More Business Through Blogging recording and reading Blog Profits Blueprint. And I was blown away! They convinced me I was missing out on a very powerful marketing tool.
What makes a blog so powerful?
First, it goes back to the rule of seven. If your blog provides great content that your readers find useful, they’ll keep coming back. The more they read, the more they will get to know, like and trust you. By the time they become a regular reader of your blog, you have become a trusted advisor, almost a friend.
Not only that, blogs allow readers to comment on what you write. This makes blogs more of a conversation than a one-way marketing channel. An exciting post may attract many comments; even begin a conversation between readers. Your blog becomes a community, not just an online brochure – as many websites are.
These comments from other readers also help build trust. When a new reader shows up to your blog these comments become a form of social proof. It lets new readers know that other people are regular visitors to your site and like what you have to say. It encourages them to stay and read what you’ve written.
Blogs also give you an advantage with search engine ranking. Blogs can be updated easily and regularly and search engines give high marks to sites that frequently have new content.
Now, your regular website can also be updated regularly – daily even. However, for many people changing the content on their website is difficult. If you need to call your tech guy each time you want to add something to your website it costs you time and money. Most blogs however, can be set up so you can make new posts by email. Write a new post, email it to the blog and voila! There’s your new post. No need for any outside help.
As you can see, I’ve jumped into the blogging pool with both feet. If you’re thinking about trying it yourself, what’s your next step? I highly recommend Yaro Starak’s Blog Profit’s Blueprint. First, it’s free so you’re only out the time it takes to read it. Second, at 55 pages, it is very comprehensive. If you’re thinking about adding a blog to your marketing mix, I guarantee what Yaro has to say will intrigue you.
Next, consider Robert Middleton’s teleclass The Secrets of Attracting More Business Through Blogging. It’s only $29 and is very informative. It focuses on how a blog can be a powerful way to attract customers to your business.
Andrea J. Stenberg
Tomorrow I’ll be giving you another way to build trust and attract new clients – through public speaking.
