USA Today: Blogs may be good for small business

Rhonda Abrams, author of The Successful Business Plan, writing for USA Today yesterday noted blogs may be the hottest thing to hit the Internet since Anna Kournikova. But asked while personal blogs are popular, can you use a blog for your small business?

Rhonda found a number of ways businesses could use blogs for their business. Though I differ with some of some of Rhonda’s points about setting up a professional marketing blog and her informal approach to doing so, she had some good points I wanted to share with you.

Here’s a few of the ways Rhonda noted a small business can use a blog:

• As a Web site. For a consultant, freelancer or very small business, a blog may be a free way to get a Web site fast.
• To create a stronger personal connection with customers. Most of us in small companies have strong personal ties to our customers, but if you conduct business primarily on the Web or over the phone, a blog might be something to try.
• To develop a following. If you are an expert in a specific field, it’s possible your blog will develop a following of devoted readers. This is certainly true in technology, but it’s possible if you’ve got expertise in any specific area, and you’re willing to add new entries to your blog regularly.

Rhonda also offered a few hints on publishing a small business blog:

• Tell people how to find your blog. It’s highly unlikely that anyone will find your blog unless you give out the Web address.
• Be careful what you post. Remember, blogs aren’t private. Internet search engines and random surfers can find your postings.
• Look professional. Use correct spelling, punctuation and capitalize.
• Create a conversation with your customers. You can choose to allow readers to post comments. But remember, those comments become visible to other readers.
• Use your own domain name. If you already have a Web site, you can post your blog on your own site and use your own Web address.
• Add images. Photos and graphics make your blog more appealing and memorable. At the very least, add a personal photo.

As more and more columnists write about the use of blogs for marketing business, I have a hard time keeping up with all the articles. But I’ll do my best to turn you on to articles as food for thought in formulating your law firm’s marketing strategy.