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There’s a shop, which has opened recently, very near to where I live. I pass it every day during my walks and not once have I seen a customer in there. Not once!
The shop in question is a clothes hire shop. You can hire ball-gowns, dinner suits, kilts, wedding dresses…that sort of thing.
I think they are in the wrong location but they need to start marketing and I think blogging would be a great way to start. They have a website. The domain name is underneath the shop front logo.
I looked at the website today. They’ve signed up with one of these companies that offer web design and complete everything for you. I’ve talked about these companies before – see my rant by clicking on this link: Get yourself a FREE website
I don’t like these companies! I’ve had many clients who wish they never signed up with such companies. They tie you in and grab as much money from you as they can.
Anyhow…rant over…back to having a blog if you are a business.
Blogs are now recognized as very affordable marketing tools, especially for businesses. Apart from monetizing the blog with advertisements, there are several other ways in which your blog can help in increasing your businesses income, creating more opportunities and generating more customers.
Advantages of blogging for your business.
If you still have not started a blog for your business, then here are some of the reasons why you should do that quickly:
Blogs are simple to use and gets your business in front of customers and leaders in your industry, from all over the world.
There is almost no limit to what you can add to your business blog. You can publish photos and videos of your service, customers’ testimonials, advice, instructions. Imagine if the clothes hire shop had photos of happy customers in their hired clothes and customers testimonials. That would really help the marketing.
You reputation as an industry expert can grow by giving free tips, advice and other relevant information. The readers can learn from your tips and apply them to their own businesses. In this way, you establish yourself in the industry as a market guru.
A blog will be a great addition to your business website, especially if it becomes successful at providing information about your company news, new services, events, special discounts and partnerships. Your blog is an extension of your existing website.
Your blog can also be used as a support site to your clients. You may create a helpdesk system allow customers to send in a support ticket through your blog so that your clients get whatever answers they need quickly.
When good content is posted on your blog regularly, you build a community of loyal readers who know what your services are and how good you are in the industry. These readers will provide leads and referrals, thus increasing your business.
You could add a forum whereby customers can discuss points and help each other. You would be building your own customer community.
If you are a small business, for under $100 you could have your own line presence with a blog.
Anyone seen small businesses make blogging work? Share your views in the comments below.
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Andrew has extensive knowledge about internet marketing, SEO and building web sites/blogs. His course explained everything in an easy to understand way and I now have a web site that is generating me new clients and producing income from internet product sales.
10 Comments
November 30th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I definitely think most if not all businesses should have a blog as well as a Twitter account. The day of relying on your customer coming to you are over along with only providing a phone number for your customers to contact you through.
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Do You Have Permission To Use That Photo?
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Ms. Freeman
Excellent point about Twitter as well. Thanks.
Andrew
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December 1st, 2009 at 2:34 am
Having a website underneath their shopfront logo is a way to stop them from entering the shop, they are afraid of being hounded by someone to buy something so they think, nah i’ll just go to check out their website instead! Nice site!
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Dan
Nice to see you here.
That’s a really good point you made. I’ve never looked at it like that but it makes total sense to me.
Andrew
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December 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am
You must already hear about this: “The fall of advertisement, the rise of PR” and now it’s “The fall of PR, the rise of Blogging”.
Phaoloo´s last blog ..How To Build A Remarkable Career In Computer Programming
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December 1st, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Twitter: moonheart85
Nice point Andrew. Even blogging can improve our creativity. Most of people blogging for money, when our blog come to track then we can really enjoy the pour of money by blogging
chandan@work at home´s last blog ..How to submit article to article directories
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December 1st, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Twitter: GrowMap
I definitely agree that every business can benefit from having a blog – IF they’ll use it or have someone who will at least create some quality content for them. Regular updates and being active on Social Networks is best; however, even static quality content is useful.
While Dan is right that some people may opt not to enter and will visit the site instead it is also possible that busy people who don’t have time to enter then will check out the Web site.
Either way the better the site and the more information is provided there the more likely they are to make a sale – especially if they have a less than optimum location. Someone is more likely to visit their site repeatedly than their shop.
Not all blogs are equally effective. The best options are to use WordPress installed on your own domain using a professionally designed, tested and supported Theme like Thesis that is SEO optimized.
I’m glad I found your blog, probably through a comment at Dennis Edell’s and will be sharing and linking to your content. More businesses need to learn how to grow using the Internet and they can use all the cheerleaders to that cause that they can find.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Blog Outreach: 8 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Be Doing It Now
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Andrew Rondeau Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
I’m glad you found my site as well – your added value with your comments is excellent.
You are right – it’s about catering for all. Some customers will want to see it, feel it and visit the shop. Others just want to order on-line. Business have to cater for both types.
Andrew
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December 1st, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Twitter: DennisEdell
This is why I’m here! My niche will become much clearer after I move.
Essentially though, Direct Sales/MLM reps have a huge problem in this area. Not only are they given those useless “cookie cutter” websites, but still don’t know about adding blogs.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Whoopsy Commentluv Is Busted! You Have Permission To Leave ONE Link.
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:45 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Dennis,
I think there is a big market out there for your services – go get them!
Andrew
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