Will 2007 be the Year of the Small Business Blog?
Ten years ago, when I first began working with Internet communities, my father-in-law laughed (in a good way), "So, you're going to work for one of those dot coms, eh?"
Back then, most of the companies with a 'dot com' where just that - dot coms. Shortly thereafter, the brick-and-mortar companies saw the benefits - such as findability - and launched their own sites. If you didn't have a web presence, you didn't exist.
Last year at this time, I scoured the Internet for small companies with blogs. It took weeks to find 50. Now, I can find 50 in a day - though many lay quiet and are gathering cobwebs.
Companies from Dance Studios to Furniture Design, Limo Rentals and Beauty Cafe.
Blog sites have become a great way to extend your reach, engage with current customers and create new business.
Over the next few days, we'll talk about building a small business blog, including:
- How to build readership
- Other 'social media' tools to use
- Finding your voice and subject matter
- How to synchronize your communications
If part of your marketing plans are to start a blog this year, here are a few items that might help get you started in the right direction:
- ConverStations: A Newcomer's Guide to Business Blogging
- Better Business Blogging: Why Small Businesses Should Have a Business Blog
- Success CREEations: Blogging as a Marketing Tool
- SCOUT: Promoting Blogging to the CEO
- Business and Blogging: Blogging as Conversation
Yes, I think by the end of this year, the news will not so much be that a small business blogs, but how they are using blogging to connect with customers new and old.
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