If you are completely unfamiliar with what a "blog" is, here is the original definition;:
A blog (short for weblog) is a personal online journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs are defined by their format: a series of entries posted to a single page in reverse-chronological order.Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or reflect the purpose of the website that hosts the blog. Topics sometimes include brief philosophical musings, commentary on Internet and other social issues, and links to other sites the author favors, especially those that support a point being made on a post.
Brian Solis of PR 2.0 makes this revealing statement "...blogging is one of the great disruptors in media. It, at its very foundation, gives a voice to anyone with an opinion and an internet connection." Let this sink in for a minute. If you learn to engage in the conversation your marketplace is having, your blog has the potential to influence your marketplace as great as or better than traditional media.
- Blogging is a communication tool. Let me clarify, blogging is a two-way communication tool. Traditional media is about delivering information, blogging has become a virtual conversation that is not bound by time or space. As a coaching professional your blog gives you a platform to share your method, ideas and inspirations and invite feedback on each post in the comments.
- Blogging is a relationship building tool. One of the most important things you can add to your blog is an email capture. I usually recommend the space in th upper right hand corner of your blog. You can add a small piece of code into a text box on the side bar (check with your blog host or developer, or visit my site for more information.) In this space offer a special report of information that your visitors, your marketplace would find valuable enough to exchange their name and email address. The names and email addresses are stored in a database such as iContact, Constant Contact, or Aweber, where you will be able to send regular emails to everyone that signs up. The formula that I like to use for email follow up to these visitors that trust me with their information is 80% good information that is relevant to why they came to my blog in the first place and 20% self or other relevant promotion.
- Blogging is a promotion and networking tool. Each blog has a built in RSS feed. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. A simple line of code that you can copy from your blog and paste on to just about any social networking site will help you promote and network with your message virally across as many social networking platforms as you desire to participate in.
- Blogging is viral. Just like a cold or flu virus, your message has the potential to spread all over the Internet. There are ways to interact with other bloggers so that your posts, your information and expertise gets in front of a new audience. This point is the reason your blog posts must be interactive and invite conversation instead of pushing information to your marketplace.
Whether your blog is hosted free (just Google "free blog hosting"), or it is self-hosted (very inexpensive), either way you have at your disposal a powerful tool to connect, engage and make inviting offers to your prospects and clients.
If you are a coach, speaker, author or other business professional the time for waiting to see if blogging is a passing fad is over. Once you begin, you will discover that it has the potential to be one of your best business building tools.
Melody Campbell, Business Coach invites Coaches, Speakers & Small Business Owners to download her Special Report ""Build Your Practice, Sell More Books and Attract a Loyal Following using the New Social Media !" along with having access to her blog and weekly show "Get More Business Podcast at: http://www.TheSmallBusinessGuru.com |
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