Blogging is a
business opportunity

BLOGGING is finally capturing the attention of small business owners, mainly because of its marketing and search-engine optimization potential. But owners and entrepreneurs who think these are the only applications of blogging are cutting themselves short.

Blogs have dozens upon dozens of immediate applications for small and large businesses alike. As with any new technology, the real benefits become apparent when you step away from all the hype and begin to align the technology with the needs and desires of the people who can use it.

When blogging is viewed as a tool, it can be matched with your operations and client communication channels for maximum leverage.

The search-engine optimization and marketing impact of blogging may have already peaked your interest. But I'd like to take this even further by giving you some practical applications for you to use blogs in your company.

Here are 21 ways you can use a business blog to create high-impact results for yourself and your company.

» Product and service Q&A and FAQ
» Contests and promotions
» Company news
» Press release postings
» Sneak peeks on new development
» Self-expression (putting a "human face" on your business)
» Photos and images for impact and connection
» Notes on projects in progress
» Client case studies
» Reputation building
» Relational marketing
» Niche branding
» Centralize the housing of your industry or competitive research
» Provide a central location for your product development and management
» Centralize internal questions and operational information
» Small business advisory board blog
» Instantaneous client feedback engine
» Centralized management of your teams
» Delivery of updates to employees
» Delivery of "Premium Content" to paying clients
» Simplifying (and recording) corporate board communication

When you read this list, you may think you're already doing some of these things. But if you're carrying them out offline or on a traditional Web site, you're missing tremendous opportunities.

Plus, in all these examples you are in total control! No Webmaster needed, no added fees, no delays in publishing to the Web. Your blog can enable you as a small business owner to instantly use any of these applications for a boost in your market position and growth.

Take action today. The steps you take today will keep you ahead of your competitors tomorrow.

See the Columnists section for some past articles.

John-Paul Micek is the lead business coach at RPM Success Group Inc. Reach him at JPM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.

Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach and life strategist. Reach her at DCM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.

Read an expanded version of this article at www.GetCoachedforFree.com.

Blogging is a business opportunity

Blogging is a
business opportunity