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How to Use a Blog? Different Business Blog Applications
by: Hendry Lee
You might have some ideas about how you can incorporate a blog into your
marketing mix but don't have a hint about how it can be used in different
applications. Don't worry though, if you are still confused about how to
do that because you're in for a treat.
We hear of success stories on a daily basis regarding the use of a simple
tool like blog, from micro businesses to large corporations. Yet, despite
this, the majority of people running businesses still overlook the myriad
ways that a blog can be used in their business.
The good news is that, when trying to find out how you can implement a blog
as part of your business website, or as a standalone site, most of the time
if you look long and hard enough, you will find a way a blog can fit in.
After all, a blog is just another website with interesting features like
automatic archiving, commenting, easy management and publishing. And what
business doesn’t need those features?
To save you time, though, here are a list of common blog application ideas:
1) Content management system (CMS)
Albeit far from a full blown CMS, a blog is more than enough for small to
medium size businesses for managing content. Some blog software allow multiple
authors, multiple blogs and static pages. This actually means more flexibility
as a usable CMS.
2) Company news and updates
Blog software sort blog entries chronologically: the most recent entry appears
at the top of the page. Anyone who can write e-mail can post to a company
blog, skipping the tedious workflow.
3) Customer support
Manage knowledge base articles on a blog, allow customers to retrieve information
easily by using a properly categorized system or search function. Let users
ask question, receive feedback and others to read the conversation. I admit,
this is scary for some companies as it knocks up against cultures that
aren’t used to being so transparent. Actually though, if used correctly,
a blog can increase credibility and customer relations to a higher level.
4) Product development and launch
Keep customers updated about the current development of products, build
anticipation and buzz, even before product launch. Do you want a bunch of
ready to buy readers flocking to your website? Consider using a blog.
5) Press releases
Let interested parties get recent news release and let them subscribe to
the site feed.
6) Education based marketing
Prospective customers can learn about a company’s products or services
by reading the blog. Answering customers’ concerns on the blog allows
other visitors to relate to the problem and immediately develops interest
in the product.
7) Focused community
Even a solopreneur can secure a tiny niche and build a sense of community
around that niche by regularly posting content related to the topic.
8) Demonstrate expertise
Service professionals use blogs as a tool to build credibility by demonstrating
expertise in almost any imaginable topic. The buzz allows them to gain
recognition fast.
9) Internal collaboration tool
A blog is a great medium to keep all staff members updated about a
company’s happenings, among other things. Who said keeping up with events
is impossible? With a blog, that excuse doesn’t exist.
10) Project notes
A blog is more powerful than e-mail for exchanging ideas, sharing resources,
and other project related tasks. Other benefits include centralized archives
and instant documentation.
It helps if we think of a blog as another server side website publishing
tool. Instead of having to design and create static pages, complete with
all HTML tags and coding, we only need to write and submit plain text, ideally
with simple formatting.
With that said, a blog really can be used for almost all content based website
applications. One thing stands out about a blog, it encourages conversation,
much like a forum or discussion board does. The difference, however, is only
one (or a group of authors) can post to a blog, although all readers can
participate in the comment sections of the blog.
A quick tip: Clearly define the purpose of your blog in the planning process.
This can help you focus on the right direction and achieve the goal faster.
It sounds simple, but many businesses try to accomplish many of the applications
above in a single blog, resulting in a confusing and mixed content blog.
It’s better if you concentrate on just two or three purposes at a time,
which in turn will help your readers who can easily identify what the blog
is about on the first visit. Doing this properly often translates into increased
readership and more targeted audience.
Copyright 2006 Hendry Lee
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