Yes – blog is a funny word but a good one can bring your business serious results. A blog is a contraction of the term “web log.” It is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, or descriptions of events. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs and web pages. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs.
Online journal author Peter Merholz takes credit for inventing the word “blog.” In the spring of 1999, he took John Barger’s “web log” and split it into the phrase “We blog.” Blog soon became shorthand for we blog.
Blogs are now being used by businesses big and small – and for a good reason. Business blogs have become invaluable tools for community building and branding. Here are some of the benefits it can bring to your business:
- You can share information and expertise and receive valuable feedback.
- Information, data, and opinion can be traded among employees, customers, partners, and prospects in a way previously impossible.
- Instead of sending out solicitations through email that may or not be responded to, a blog offers a business a chance to build a real customer base and offers a personal way to brand its’ product or service.
- Updating a blog is a much cheaper and quicker than contacting a web designer with changes or doing the coding and uploading yourself.
Many corporations are now hiring writers to write blogs about their company. It is a trend that is just taking off.
Debbie Weil of WordBiz Report says, “No one listens to sanitized marketing messages anymore. When you “blog” about your product or service, you market your company as authentic and knowledgeable.”
Blogs – funny word, serious business tool. They are the new, personal and interactive way to help market and brand your product or service.
Leave a Reply
