Archive for February, 2009

Why Aren’t You Writing?

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

We’ve been talking about blogs a lot recently, and with good cause. They’re a great way to build community around your business, and develop a sense of loyalty among your clients and potential buyers. 

So why aren’t you writing one?

Unless you’re doing something else to reach out to your clients regularly, you really don’t have much of an excuse anymore. They’re inexpensive, easy to maintain, and they ensure that you touch your clients often. Is there another marketing effort that offers all that? (hint: no.)

A good blogger writes to add value to her readers lives. As a by-product, she adds value to her own life as well. Every insight, idea or inspiration you give away for free builds trust. If your readers turn your ideas into valuable business, it build more trust. So when that reader needs the kind of services you offer, they won’t need to think about who they’re going to call first. They’re going to call you.

Time and Talent

If you don’t have the time to write a weekly blog, or you simply don’t feel comfortable with your own writing, you can always hire someone to ‘ghostwrite’ a blog for you. In this arrangement, you have a writer committed to a schedule of blog entries who does all the writing and posting work for you.

It seems inauthentic at first glance, but the core is still there. You’re still using your blog as a medium to add value to your clients lives. And ultimately, you should be involved with generating the ideas for entries. Your expertise is worthwhile, and that’s what people want to hear.

What’s the Big Deal About Blogs?

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

I think a little demystifying is in order. I’ve been talking about the importance of blogs for some time now, and I’m sure you can all tell what a fanatic I am about them. But I’m also pretty sure that many of you don’t understand why I’m so enamored with blogs.

 

Whats so Hot About Blogs?

What's so Hot About Blogs?

Instant Access to Brilliant People

I read a lot of different blogs, and I get something a bit different out of each one. But one of the core reasons I read each one is that it gives me access to people who are smarter than me. Seth Godin and Steve Banis (who I wrote about last week) are two of my marketing mentors. I read The Daily Heller for insights into graphic design and it’s place in the world. I read The Web Designer Wall to make sure I know what’s going on with web design. I read these blogs to get smarter. 

Getting Smarter = Better Service

While learning is it’s own reward, reading blogs wouldn’t be a good use of my work time if I didn’t get some business results from it. And I do. 

Every new idea I get from reading is something I can either offer to my clients or put to use in my own business (or both). And, especially with marketing ideas, it can be the same for you. There are so many great marketing ideas out there, just sitting on the internet waiting for someone to pick them up and put them to use. That someone could very easily be you. Or if not you, then probably one of your competitors. 

Why read blogs? Why not read blogs.

3 Great Online Resources

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Blogs. There are some brilliant people out there writing insightful blogs that are chock-full of great ideas. Here are three that will change the way you think about marketing your business. 

1. Burst Marketing Blog by Steve Banis. Steve Banis is a local guy with marketing experience coming out his ears. Having worked in high-level marketing positions for large companies and built small businesses into marketing powerhouses, the Albany Area is lucky to have him around. Passionate about marketing, Steve is shaking the foundations with his weekly blog, and providing great insights that the little guys can really benefit from. 

2. Seth’s Blog by Seth Godin. Seth Godin is just about as famous a marketer as you’ll find. Having written tons of seminal marketing books (Purple Cow, Permission Marketing, and loads of others) Seth is leading the push towards a marketing style that emphasizes genuineness, differentiation and relationship building. Consistently inspiring, unbelievably helpful, Seth’s Blog is an example for all of us. 

3. Gladwell.com by Malcolm Gladwell.  Technically not a blog, this is an archive of articles Malcolm Gladwell has written for The New Yorker. Hopefully you’re already familiar with Gladwell, but if not you may remember him from my email “Paul Revere and $100 Referrals”. Gladwell’s articles are a bit longer than your average blog entry, but the thinking and research he has done into consumer behavior are well worth the time it takes to read his articles. 

Talk to you soon.

 

-Braden