May 22nd, 2008

7 more blog blurbs. And introducing…one-stop design/copywriting services

by barbara in Business Blogs, business trends, corporate blog

 Still got doubts about blogging for your business? Guys, it is not a fad. It’s an integral part of the new way of being in the global marketplace.Whatever terms you use, “Web 2.0” “social networking” “new media” etc., the fact is a blog is part of the new approach to marketing. It gives you a new and powerful way to engage with your prospects and customers. An opportunity to build a personal—albeit virtual—relationship with them at a low cost. Even if you hire a professional blog writer—which you should definitely do if you can’t find time yourself and/or don’t have a staff member who has the skill and can devote the time—the cost, compared to advertising and other methods of reaching prospects is breathtakingly minimal.

Some statistics from a survey of over 2500 Internet users (in Germany, where the corporate blogging phenomenon is only just beginning):

  1. 1 out of every 10 Internet users reads blogs
  2. 91% of blog readers expect fast responses to questions and comments in enterprise blogs
  3. 90% feel blogs should clearly differentiate commercial from non-commercial content.
  4. 54% of blog readers form their opinions about products/companies on the basis of blogs.
  5. 51% of blog readers visit product and/or corporate sites as a result of reading blogs.
  6. 58% of blog readers read them to find news and information they can’t find otherwise.
  7. 57% of them are interested in the personal opinions of the authors.

Keep in mind that one thing people are endlessly fascinated by is other people. That’s why it’s so important to have a personal voice in the blog. And even if you’re reporting on something they could find elsewhere on the Internet—there is theoretically “nothing new under the sun”—your post becomes unique when you express your personal feeling about an event, a trend, a circumstance, or a story.

Don’t worry about how many numbers of readers you have. Don’t worry if you don’t get comments. Don’t ask for a financial ROI on your blog—it’s not a sales tool. It’s credibility. It’s a credential for your knowledge and your expertise. It’s the True Voice® of your company.

I’m delighted to say the chief new-media strategist at Edelman, the world’s largest PR agency, agrees with my #1 piece of advice about how to write a blog: “Be authentic.” That’s where the true power is.

Sincerely,
Barbara

P.S. I am thrilled to announce that I can now offer you the opportunity for one-stop shopping for powerful content and beautiful design. I have partnered with two top professional graphic design services companies, one in Chicago and one in Cleveland. As a team, we deliver the ultimate in printed materials to carry your True Voice into the marketplace–and attract and retain loyal, profitable customers. Call me for a complimentary consultation any time. 773.292.3294 or 216.472.8502.

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February 12th, 2008

If Microsoft buys Yahoo…crystal ball says

by barbara in Advertising, Comcast, DSL, General, Yahoo

What does it mean that Microsoft is trying to buy Yahoo? Well, let’s see. I envision it as kind of like Cable vs. DSL–”giant-with-unlimited-funds-and-access-to-every-computer” fighting the other “giant-with-unlimited-funds-and-access-to-every-computer.” 

Here’s a really good analysis analysis of the potential consequences by a non-insider-but-sure-could-be. What Does The Yahoo/Microsoft Debate Mean For The Rest Of Us?

Will our screens begin having a run of ad spots every fourth time we turn them on? Will they feature the browser equivalent of turtles entertaining us with barely-amusing anecdotes about why some small difference between the two of them is critical to our happiness and success? I hope they hire better advertising agencies than Comcast…

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December 9th, 2007

Typo fun and a holiday announcement: changing angles on this blog

by barbara in Business Blogs, General, business trends, corporate blog

Was looking for a song I sang one year with a church choir. Using Google, struggling to remember the line so I could look it up by lyrics… Stumbled on this amusing typo on a Christian music site:

“CALL TO WORSHIP Lyrics - MERCY ME
Prince of Peach, almighty God Counselor, ….”

So proofread your work–even if you’re a great speller and an excellent typist. I am both of those things, and yet I am appalled to look back sometimes at one of my posts and realize it contains one and even sometimes two typos that my fingers just seemed to type without my knowledge. Isn’t that how all mistakes seems to be made—without our knowledge?

I’ve noticed recently that I’ve not been posting here very often. Let’s face it. I’ve been ranting about the value of blogs since I discovered the medium back in 2003.  And I haven’t changed my mind about that. But, although I’d be happy to do a presentation for you on why it’s a good idea to blog for your business, I’d much rather write in my own blog on a broader basis.

One of my chief pieces of advice to business blog writers is to write about what you enjoy. Even though it’s trendy now to blog (thank goodness it’s finally been recognized as the powerful medium it is), if you aren’t passionately involved in your business, don’t try to publish a blog about it! So I’m going back to my former polyglot approach to topics.

And the first topic is wish you a wonderful Christmas or Hannukah or whatever you celebrate at this beautiful end-of-year holiday time.

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