Why blog?

Figures vary widely, but whatever you believe, it seems everyone is blogging. Technorati currently tracks 81 million blogs and it says that a new Blog is created every second.

The Blogosphere is not only growing, it is influencing the way in which consumers gather information and communicate with each other.

A business blog can tap into the Online Buzz and create a genuine relationship with your customers, partners, suppliers and employees. You can Reach consumers in the way they want, without cluttering their inboxes or firing off Spam. And with the right business Blogger, you can present your brand as knowledgeable, insightful, and most of all, approachable.

There are many reasons to blog for your business. But here are the most pertinent:

Blogs attract search engine attention. And in today’s connected world, we all understand the importance of our brand perception within Search Engines such as Google. Blogs are search engine friendly, they can help get you noticed.

Blogs help you develop a relationship with people. Presenting a human face to your organisation, the blogging Netiquette encourages a response. And feedback is a good thing. Listening to your audience, you can tweak campaigns, answer issues and predict market trends. An honest and unselfconscious focus group, that will help you improve and shape your communication.

Blogs can drive visitors. Of course, your blog needs to be well written and comprehensively linked. But an open, conversational and insightful blog will indeed increase site visits.

Should I start blogging right now?

I can hear the fingers tapping already, but corporate blogging isn’t for everyone and shouldn’t be rushed into without thought. Phoney marketing entries are almost always spotted and can damage a brand with accusations of spin. A fallow blog, or one with too much corporate speak, can be just as detrimental. A blog is juts a tool, and it should be carefully considered and planned.

On the other hand, blogs can provide valuable feedback on your products and services and help you manage your reputation, understand your influencers, gain advocates, troubleshoot a business issue or prevent a crisis. You can also use them for research, because you have a committed base of interested consumers.

If you need advice on how best to approach the blogging world and how to incorporate blogs and blogging into your PR strategy, contact immediate future.