Particularly small business owners who deal in internet sales need to make sure their marketing strategies draw the right kind of customers. This means that customers around the world can buy small business products and services no matter where they live. Many business owners have realized the value of "cottage industry", an old term. Small businesses are able to target more people because they can be more specific about who they reach. Because the online market is growing rapidly, sales will happen. You can compete with anyone, regardless of your size.
What does this have to do business blogging?
All of us know that blogging is not about selling. This trend has been warned by many gurus. People see these blogs as infomercials. It is not fair for anyone to enjoy reading something and then be sold. Nobody. No one. A business blog is about connecting prospects and customers. It is about sharing yourself, not your product or service.
How can you distinguish the two?
Yes, blogging is an important part of your marketing efforts. Marketing is about getting your name out to the right people, no matter what you do. This is what a blog does. We are relational animals. Humans live in groups. People don't want to be the lone wolf, or at least 99 percent of them don't. We are wired to seek out other people to connect with. A blog is an integral part of any marketing strategy, regardless of whether it is officially recognized as such.
Trust is the best way to make people buy from you. People will trust you only if they know you.
As an example, take Wal-Mart. You probably first heard about such a store from your friends when you first discovered it. You need a cheap tire, clothing for your kids, a shotgun, or groceries. Wal-Mart has it all. Wal-Mart is trusted by people because they have had the experience of getting what they need. This logic is applicable to all businesses.
While you may not be in the same industry as Walmart, the most important part of your job is giving customers what they need. You are selling your blog. Although you may not be trying to sell anything with your blog you are still selling. Your blog is all about you, and that is what the customer and prospect want to learn.
In some ways, a blog can be compared to a journal that discusses a specific expertise. Writing pros love to read blogs written by other successful writers. Carpenters love to read blogs about home improvement. Successful blogs and marketing blogs will be useful to online coaches. These blogs are not about selling, but about giving. A blogger offers something free of charge to the reader. The blogger may give the reader advice, information about a task that they are interested in, or tips on how to run their own business. It doesn't matter what the blog is about; it's about building a relationship.
Blogs are conversations. It is not possible to create something that takes hours of thought and painstaking time at a computer, hoping that nobody reads it. In the hope of connecting with others, it is a good idea to let other people read what you have written. You may make sales, but this connection will provide you with something valuable.
Why do small business owners need to have a blog?
While the relationship is important, there must be other reasons. It can take time to write a blog post, market it twice per month, and you are already busy. This takes time away from what you can do: produce, bring in sales, provide services to clients, or send products to customers. You shouldn't take 500+ words out of your day to write an article for your target audience.
You have the opportunity to give back. Your expertise may allow you to offer an opinion that is valuable to others. You might be able to understand something that others don't. You can make yourself and other people better by giving back.
This can increase sales. Even if your company and the products or services you offer are not mentioned, people may be interested enough to contact you. This can result in a deeper relationship with your customer and a loyal client.
You will have a stronger voice. Different people are able to write. It's a fact that everyone has different talents. Maybe you don't think you have much to offer. You don't have to be perfected, but you can still speak your mind. You have something to offer the world. You can also improve your thinking processes by doing it.
To attract people to their small business, owners of small businesses need to do everything they can. Although it is much easier to do this today with the internet, people won't know your name if there aren't any of you out there revealing your identity. Start a blog to make people aware of you and build lasting relationships.
