Blogging has become one of the fastest growing promotional tools in e-marketing today. A Blog can be used exclusively as a social networking tool, or as a business tool. However, a Blog is most effective when used for both purposes.
A Blog is simply an essay or short online entry on a web site that helps business owners connect with their audiences. Internet blogs should be somewhat personal and information when used to drive sales, participation and disseminate information. The most effective Internet blogs are updated a minimum of three times per week and contain information pertinent to product, service or cause it addresses.
Internet promotion is a powerful and effective form of advertising. An Internet Blog will:
•attract search engines with the repeated use of keywords, links, and regularly updated content
•establish an element of credibility when written properly with valuable information that is useful to the target audience
•convince readers of the value of products and services offered by the online marketer or encourage readers to participate in a cause or event advertised through a Blog
•create a loyal following by regularly connecting with people who will eventually “come to know the blogger” through continued Blog posts
•offer target readers a platform to share and exchange views while keeping them engaged in the communication process as they comment on Blog entries and other readers’ observations
•provide feedback from target audience members who are most invested in the topic as demonstrated in their willingness to comment
•drive readers to a target web site to trigger further intended action