I'm thinking about starting a blog for my business. I'm on facebook and am wondering if that's enough. I'm wondering if I would spend to much time working on the blog and not on my working in my studio. So...tell me how can a blog help my business or is it just another thing to eat time? Give me some examples of both sides. Thanks!
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I have no answers, only question: questions you absolutely should address before you start a blog, otherwise it will be the time-sink you are afraid of.
* What is your business?
* Who is your target market?
* What unique value you can you provide that target market?
* How would you communicate that value through what you write in a blog?
Many people make the mistake of starting a blog and marketing it toward people who do the same thing they do. That's OK if you are positioning yourself first as an industry expert, hoping to gain consulting work. But if you are trying to reach potential customers you are better off determining a user group (or multiple groups) where they already go for information. Then start by participating in those groups. Once you've been participating for awhile, you'll get a feel for how to invite people to read your blog.
Great points. I'm trying to reach customers. I think most are not bloggers. So, I just might be wasting my time, whioch I don't have much of - time that is.
Geoff Coe > Char terBeest KudlaJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:19am
Hi Char,
With reference to my earlier post: Members of user groups are not the same thing as bloggers. Writing a query to a user group (or responding to one) is not the same as writing a blog. Members of user groups are just interested in learning whatever dialogue about whatever topic(s) are generally discussed in the group.
This group, Art Fair Insiders, is a case in point. Very few of us members are actively blogging.
To improve your understanding of online communications strategies for business, check the business ection of your local newspaper or on the website of your local community college. If you look you will surely find free or low-cost classes and brief seminars that will give you a good introduction to the subject. Armed with that knowledge, you'll be able to determine if blogging is for you...and if so, how to market it in such a way that it will grow your business. Good luck!
I think if I were going to blog maybe, I'd do it through crafthaus rather then facebook. As to the amount of time it takes from your studio, well that is why I don't blog. I find too many other things pull me away from my studio. Perhaps a once a week blog would be good though. Good luck in what you decide.
Replies
Hi.
I have no answers, only question: questions you absolutely should address before you start a blog, otherwise it will be the time-sink you are afraid of.
* What is your business?
* Who is your target market?
* What unique value you can you provide that target market?
* How would you communicate that value through what you write in a blog?
Many people make the mistake of starting a blog and marketing it toward people who do the same thing they do. That's OK if you are positioning yourself first as an industry expert, hoping to gain consulting work. But if you are trying to reach potential customers you are better off determining a user group (or multiple groups) where they already go for information. Then start by participating in those groups. Once you've been participating for awhile, you'll get a feel for how to invite people to read your blog.
Hi Char,
With reference to my earlier post: Members of user groups are not the same thing as bloggers. Writing a query to a user group (or responding to one) is not the same as writing a blog. Members of user groups are just interested in learning whatever dialogue about whatever topic(s) are generally discussed in the group.
This group, Art Fair Insiders, is a case in point. Very few of us members are actively blogging.
To improve your understanding of online communications strategies for business, check the business ection of your local newspaper or on the website of your local community college. If you look you will surely find free or low-cost classes and brief seminars that will give you a good introduction to the subject. Armed with that knowledge, you'll be able to determine if blogging is for you...and if so, how to market it in such a way that it will grow your business. Good luck!
Geoff
Thanks.....yes..I'm worried abou time eater....I don't have it to spare.