Jan
3
Why Blogs Make More Sense
Filed Under Blogging, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Public Relations, Social Media and Social Networking Sites, Web Marketing
As we begin 2010, I wish you real success, both online and off, in the year ahead.
In a video I’ve already already shown you, marketing expert Darren Rouse, author of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, explains in detail his blog-centric approach to building a web presence, in which his blogs are his home base, and social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube are his outposts.
Some readers have questioned the necessity of starting a blog, since a blog can consume more time than a business might be prepared to invest in their social media initiative.
I agree that starting a blog is not absolutely necessary.
Businesses can choose among various alternatives when establishing their social media home bases. However, these alternatives are less ideal than a blog for one or more of the following reasons:
- Inadequate Control - When a site is owned by someone else, they modify the terms or remove users arbitrarily, not caring at all that it’s your home base.
- Inadequate Communication - The site’s features don’t sufficiently enable two-way communication between you and your community members.
- Inadequate Flexibility - The structure, linking or other features of the site are too rigid.
- Too Resource Intensive - The expense far exceeds the alternative cost of starting and maintaining a blog.
These are some major alternatives to the blog-centric approach and the reasons they are problematic:
- Static Website -Inadequate communication and flexibility.
- Your Own Ning Network or Facebook Page - Inadequate control and flexibility.
- LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Squidoo etc. - Inadequate control, communication and flexibility.
- Self-Hosted Social Networking Site - Too resource intensive.
Note also that search engines are consistently receptive to blogs, and that some social media sites and Facebook apps cater to blogs and bloggers.
If I couldn’t use a blog for whatever reason, a static website (equipped for lead capture) coupled with a Facebook Page or perhaps my own Ning (or SocialGO) social networking sites might be workable, but…
There ain’t nothing like a blog!
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24 Responses to “Why Blogs Make More Sense”
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Amen! There ain’t nothing like a blog! Nothing, and I mean Nothing, sends in the business like a good blog with great search engine placement. The rest? Filler, fluff and fun!
It’s true Laurie that this blog positions me in the search engines, but what’s even better, is that it enables me to meet people like you!
Hi Larry,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Starting a blog was one of the best business decisions I’ve made. Not only does it give me full control of my content but the opportunity to interact with my readers is priceless.
To your continued success in 2010!
Like Laurie said there is nothing like a blog! If you are focused and provide a great resources, the time invested is well worth it!
Happy New Year Larry! Starting off with a bang I see. I agree that there is nothing like a blog for driving interaction. The feedback you get from a good blog is invaluable!
I own and manage several blogs, and while I concur with everything posted here, I have to ask, what about the person who isn’t literary and comfortable writing? How do we help that individual?
@Robert To yours too!
@Cheryl Happy New Year to you too! Welcome back. Hope we’ll all have a super 2010!
@Donna Good question. Please read How to Start a Blog Made Easy.
Hi Larry,
I must agree for your industry and many others it works like a charm. I’m working on blogging for my safety and security web site but not sure it’s going to generate the kind of business other industries enjoy. Thanks for your insight.
Deb
If you do it right Deb, I don’t see why in your industry it should not be highly successful.
I am ready to write my blog now. Is there a simple free one? The google one? Wordpress? What do you recommend?
I agree. Blogs are dynamic and keep the material fresh while websites can be “same old, same old” if someone is not updating regularly. With blogs, it’s an automatic update and a great way to communicate.
@Tina See my advice to Donna above. Read also Creating a Home for Your Blog.
@Lorraine Welcome.
Thanks Lar!
So wordpress.org is still your favorite. I shouldn’t have to be told twice!
Wordpress.org is still my favorite. Read Why WordPress? Plus List of My Top Dozen WordPress Plugins.
Larry, great information. If I was not certain of why I am blogging, I certainly am now! I love the logic you provided.
Hi Larry,
Having a blog is certainly the best way to have communication flexibility and control.
When you have a blog you are the publisher and not just one member of thousands that can be kicked out or forced to abide by rules that can change any time.
Vance
Becoming a blogger has changed my life! As a social media evangelist, my first blog has been a chronicle of my educational adventures along what I call Social Media Revolutionary Road.
The fact that I have this “platform/soapbox” helps me learn my lessons more deeply as I “teach” what I learn.
Re: advice for one of your commentators who doesn’t like to write — I, personally, am hoping to build a business by teaching people How To Blog and then once they get one started AND decide they don’t want to continue writing, THEN the hope is that they will want to hire me to write their blog articles.
Shari Weiss
@Steve
@Vance I agree.
@Shari
This is a terrific post, Larry! I think that when a business has a blog, it makes for a much more open relationship between that business and customers (past and future). There’s a camaraderie to blogging that makes it very appealing. I like it when a business is open enough to want to give and receive input like that.
Thank you Rebecca. Great comment.
I want everybody who reads this to know that Rebecca has a number of great blogs and is a phenomenal blogger.
I couldn’t agree more. I always tell my clients they have to start a blog. I truly believe it’s the foundation of your social media efforts. And it’s something almost anyone can maintain and add to on their own. Why wouldn’t you have one?
For many Crystal, the responsibility, commitment or effort is too great. For others, perhaps it’s indecision or skepticism.
[…] – last week he ran a worldwide networking party in honor of his 58th birthday. He talks about why one should have a blog for one’s business and 10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Blog or Website. Larry doesn’t just spout out his ideas and […]
You know, this website is costing $100.00 to keep running and I am supposed to fill it with content that will place me on page one of Google. What your saying is I should dump this over priced hard to maintain website for a blog and use Facebook, Twitter, and others as an outlet. I need to learn this stuff in 120 days or I am in deep kimchee financially,
Thanks
Steve