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I’ve been a fan of Fast Company Magazine for a long time, and have recently been invited to be one of their “Expert Bloggers”. My first post is up, taking a look at reasons companies should be in the blogging business:
1. Build Relationships
2. Build Reputation
3. Build Customer Loyalty
4. Build Authority
5. Build Traffic
Check it out, and be sure and subscribe to the feed while you’re there!
You might also like:
- 5 Reasons Why I Blog
- Does a blogger need a business card?
- Reasons every blogger should participate in forums
Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or via e-mail.
Please use your name when you comment- I would appreciate it. Using just keywords makes your comment seem spammy, and it's liable to get deleted. See my comment policy for more detail. Thanks!
September 15, 2008 8:57 am
Hey!
Great article
i think, we can buy links to our site too, as seo methods.
September 15, 2008 9:54 am
I am forwarding this blog to two prospective web clients who can’t understand why they might want a biz blog, because:
a)It is plain & simple and doesn’t require much reading on their part
b)I found this blog by searching for “reasons your business needs a blog”
That ought learn the naysayers!
P.S. The link to fastcompany is not working here(I was going to use it for follow-up)
September 15, 2008 11:27 am
Whoa, simple and straight to the point!
I’m gonna keep them in mind ^^
Thanks!
September 15, 2008 9:04 pm
I think it also helps to broadcast any updates or news that you need your customers or reader to know.
September 15, 2008 11:48 pm
There’s no doubt about it, blogs are hot. With their interactivity and their ability to position even micro-business owners as niche experts, blogs are the “it” marketing trend.
September 16, 2008 3:11 am
Business blogs are undoubtedly a great way to increase the strength of the website by including backlinks etc…
September 16, 2008 6:07 am
I have to agree with the above… I used to work for a website design company that would insist that all employees take an active part in keeping the company blog updated.. We would write tutorials, case studies of projects we were working on and stuff like that.. It was really successful and generated about 75 percent of the business.. Im not sure it would work for all businesses but definately worth a shot… I think it adds that personal touch that many consumers like.
September 16, 2008 6:18 am
Great, except blogging implies ‘work’ and big companies (or even small ones) just aren’t internet savvy enough to be bothered to do it… also there’s a lot more to ‘blogging’ then meets the eye… meaning you can’t just write about anything.. good useful content takes a lot of time and building up the traffic and readership takes even more time (even more if you’re new to it) so yea… unless you’re a one man business and on a tight budget, I don’t see busineses giving blogging a fair go for a while.
September 16, 2008 3:03 pm
A blog certainly increases traffic and has improved our Google rankings.
I certainly agree with Katie’s comment that there is more to blogging then meets the eye and the amount of time it consumes is unbelievable!
September 17, 2008 8:15 am
I agree. Its a great way to keep customers up to date.
September 17, 2008 9:09 am
Thats five steps to a successful businesses…I also feel that you should have a blog supporting your business, primarily as it is a cheap mode of reaching target audience…
September 17, 2008 8:12 pm
I think there are two more points that should be included on this list:
Interact with the Public
Very important. CEOs don’t often have a chance to interact with the public and rely on stats to make decisions. With a blog, they can interact with the public and get real feedback, not just stats.
Competition is Doing It
Now it isn’t always the best idea to follow your competition blindly, but it is an even worse idea to ignore what they are doing.
September 18, 2008 2:55 am
Thanks for this! Sometimes when trying to pull ecommerce sites kicking and screaming into the blogosphere, it’s nice to have a second, third, or even forth opinion to bounce off of them. Like Karl said above, This is a great resource - clear, straightforward, and logical and a great one to sent potential clients to.
September 19, 2008 12:09 am
I agree that every business should have a blog, if nothing else but an industry rag. However, I need a post that can help me with my conundrum:
My blog needs a business! If nothing else, It’d be nice to score a cool job because of my blog.
Josh
http://www.MyAuntIsHot.com
September 19, 2008 6:54 am
Creating a blog for a website also helps brand the website.
September 19, 2008 2:40 pm
It’s a no-brainer to communicate new product announcements and get feedback on things consumers have purchased, even if it is bad news
September 19, 2008 9:08 pm
These are some really good reasons. Blogging has done a lot for my brand. I have learned about branding and link building through the help of my fellow bloggers and now my company is starting to reap the benefits. The consumer feedback and making connections with people from the blog community also really helps.
September 20, 2008 11:21 am
Hi, I am new to the blogging seen. For a website would it be better to have a blog on your website, or a blog on a blogging site linked to your website?
September 22, 2008 11:14 am
Very good reasons as usual. It’s a no-brainer in today’s business world
September 22, 2008 12:07 pm
I am new to blogging, but your website has a wealth of information on the subject, thank you.
September 23, 2008 1:42 am
Great post.
Its nice to see that all small businesses at least have websites these days, but I think they underestimate the value of a blog.
September 23, 2008 6:36 am
I think bloging has proved its worth already, but taking full advantage with this, need bit more of knowledge and understanding. Its the best medium to communicate and taking feedback.
September 24, 2008 11:49 am
Hi Randy,
I did read your blog on Fast Company. I particularly liked that you emphasized the importance of knowing your target market. Helping businesses do that is my main business.
I offer a free trial of my automatic target market analysis at the link above.
September 24, 2008 2:59 pm
I agree with everything and in particular on ” Build Customer Loyalty”.
Great post
Stefano
September 25, 2008 12:34 am
It IS really very simple and common knowledge…. well I guess not as common as you would think. I think that soon for companies having a blog will be as essential as having a web address… you simply just wouldn’t be in business without one. This will probably take a few more years though.
September 25, 2008 1:45 pm
A lot more Norwegian companies should start using blogs. It’s a great promotion tool.
September 25, 2008 3:38 pm
Blog is something that every serious business should be doing.
September 26, 2008 11:39 am
We converted our standard html site into a Wordpress site, just for the SEO effect alone. Although we have our own CMS, we find that Google just eats up the blog postings in their SERPS. Let me know what you think about our blog at http://www.automotiveseoblog.com . I know we have a few graphics to clean up but we feel it looks good so far.
September 26, 2008 12:12 pm
Great post Randa, problem I’ve been having is with the amount of work it takes to produce content for both my main site and a blog at the same time. I usually end up neglecting the blog most the time which I know I’ll end up regretting down the road, anyways keep up the good work.
September 26, 2008 7:11 pm
Hi Randa - great topic. There are a hundred reasons each of our businesses could use a blog and you kicked it off. My favorite: to show people beautiful pictures of what they could be EATING !!! Cheers all -
September 27, 2008 2:37 am
I blog therefore I am… but seriously every company should have a blog.
September 27, 2008 1:12 pm
I’ve always had issues with the idea that all companies should have a blog. Would you really read the Target blog or the Walmart blog? Even if they established themselves as experts in a field, some companies are just too large to be looked at as an objective source of knowledge.
(yes, I see that a retort to this might be: “Then what about news networks?”)
September 27, 2008 11:05 pm
I’ve worked with tons of small businesses and they all doubt blogs initially. They are always shocked at how much blogs can actually help them.
September 28, 2008 8:31 am
A blog can be a great tool but it is vitally important to blog regularly, at least once a week. There are too many blogs that get started with great enthusiasm but then slowly fade out because success is not visible immideately. It takes a long time and a lot of effort to be successful. And you need some interesting topics to write about. If you dont start with at least 20-30 good ideas about possible articles then the propability that you run out of ideas fast is very high.
September 28, 2008 8:42 am
Short and sweet, just as I like.
Very nice.
September 29, 2008 12:06 am
It sure is a great way to communicate with your readers, & that’s how you can build up the relationship with the customers ;p
September 29, 2008 5:49 am
Well, if you want to standout from the crowd, then you must equipped your business by a well written blog!
September 29, 2008 11:20 pm
Thanks for this! Sometimes when trying to pull ecommerce sites kicking and screaming into the blogosphere, it’s nice to have a second, third, or even forth opinion to bounce off of them. Like Karl said above, This is a great resource - clear, straightforward, and logical and a great one to sent potential clients to.
September 30, 2008 3:20 am
Short and sweet. Though I wouldn’t mind the post to be expanded in some way.
Blogs can be very useful for designers as well.
September 30, 2008 4:15 pm
In the beginning when the whole blog thing started, I was very sceptical, but a few months later I started my own blog and now I run 4 blogs in total.
October 1, 2008 2:13 am
It will still be a while before people see having a blog as a mandatory part of doing business.
October 1, 2008 9:25 am
Yeah I think the same, thats great for a company make a blog and is very easy and cheap.
October 1, 2008 11:24 am
Great Article. Blogs can be very useful for many people as well.
October 1, 2008 12:33 pm
every company should have a blog
October 1, 2008 4:22 pm
i’m with everyone with that idea that every company needs a blog
October 1, 2008 5:17 pm
Some good points you make. Congrats…not everyone gets invited to write an article for such an authority site/magazine like Fast Company.
October 2, 2008 12:09 am
every business must have a blog, a blog can be a great tool to express comapany’s personal stuff as wel they can share their feelings towards their clientel
October 2, 2008 4:18 am
business must have a blog. It looks like to me a report be enough to you well. Yu site(place) will have many visits
October 2, 2008 5:04 am
Hi
I am working as a social media consultant in Denmark. I offend have a hard time explaining the benefit of blogs breify. You pst gave me a couple of good ideas, thanks
October 2, 2008 1:11 pm
Quite agree with you on all those points.
But one key one not mentioned is “To improve SEO ranking” which turns round subsequently as a further boost to traffic.
October 3, 2008 2:35 pm
Great Advice! You are right, every business should have a blog, the benefits are endless! Thank you for your great writing!
October 6, 2008 4:22 pm
I think these five ideas are too simple and they don’t fit every business. A blog CAN help to improve build customer loyalty but only if its written in originally and creative way. There are so many company blogs online that are written in poor style and won’t catch the focussed audience.
Best wishes from Chemnitz (Saxony)!
October 7, 2008 2:57 am
Yeah compaines do need to have a blog but they should be of good content which would draw a lot of traffic to improve your business.
October 7, 2008 7:43 am
Excellent post Randa.
If there a serious business they won’t just write crap on their blog, it will be relevant and important news, which their customers would be interested in. Which, in turn will build customer loyalty.
October 10, 2008 9:51 am
I think a business blog is more like building a personal touch/approach with the customers. It will do an amazing job in branding and achieve good penetrations in the market.
But maintaining a business blog is not easy as it requires a lot of time and efforts. To worsen it, if it’s done incorrectly, barely it can generate any sale online. Agree?
October 13, 2008 9:28 am
You must be good at getting a conversation going and engaging an audience? Blogging isn’t just publishing posts. A blog becomes a defacto online community and needs the same kind of attention that a message board or forum needs to keep it vibrant and on track. Yes, you can shut off the comments feature on your blog, however, you lose out on a potentially valuable aspect of blogging for business in the first place an engaged audience of customers and potential customers.