To blog or not to blog?
 
As the popularity of blogs increase, more clients are asking me if they should start a blog on their website. There has been a lot in the media about blogs and blogging  and business owners are wondering if there is any relevance for them.
 
Answering this question involves unpackaging what a blog is and exploring what opportunities for communication with your market a blog might provide. Before taking off into the ‘blogoshphere’, you will need to explore the nature of your business, and consider the amount of time you or your staff have available to spend writing your blog.
 
Blogs can be formal or informal, but are essentially an online journal that allows you to post your opinion, thoughts or ideas to a website. People reading your blog can respond with feedback or comments to create an interesting and sometimes valuable discussion about a particular issue.

The real value blogs provide is to allow a person/ business to create a more informal communication with the outside world. As it is not a blatantly commercial process it allows people to engage with the ideas, ideals and people who run your business and open or build a relationship.
 
A blog can encourage discussion on particular issues that are core to your business, and therefore provide an invaluable research tool. They can facilitate the increase in awareness of your business and help establish your business as a key stakeholder in your industry.

As with any online communication though, it needs to be well planned to get the best outcome. It needs to be given suitable time and energy for maintenance, administration and writing content.

A blog is not suitable for every business. But if you are looking for a strategic way to communicate with your clients and the wide community, then you should talk to your marketing consultant about whether a blog could work for you.

“This article was written by Tracy-Madonna Wylie, Business Manager, Nutbirdz Strategic Marketing, and printed in the My Marketing Companion column of the Fraser Coast Chronicle in 2007.”