Why blog for business?
From a business perspective there are several potential reasons to blog. But, as always, it depends on what you want. Blogs are no different from channels like video, print, audio, presentations and so on. They all deliver results - but of varying kind. The kind you can expect from blogs is mainly about stronger relations with important target groups.
- Become the Expert
- Customer Relationships
- Media Relations
- Internal Collaboration
- Knowledge Management
- Recruitment
- Test ideas or products
- Rank high in Search Engines
Become the Expert
Position yourself and your company as the thought leader of
your business.
Customer Relationships
In a forum where your main objective not is to sell, you'll
have a more personal relationship between you and your customers.
Blogs are a fast way to join the customers' discussions, provide
tips and insights or receive feedback.
Media Relations
It's every PR-consultants dream to create a channel where
media regularly check what you have to say, instead of media
just being passive - sometimes indifferent - recipients of
press releases.
Internal Collaboration
Use blogs as a workspace where project members keep each other
updated without wasting time writing reports or searching
the Outlook inbox.
Knowledge Management
Blogs works in two ways. First of all, they're an easy way
for the readers to find information and resources they want
or need. That's obvious and could be used internally in many
organizations. Second, blogs are a kind of "university light"
for the blogger. Blogging is on-the-job learning.
Recruitment
If you establish your company as a thought leader, people
in your business will pay attention. They'll read and discuss
what you have to say. Chances are good they will see you as
an attractive employer.
Test ideas or products
A blog is informal. It's part of a conversation where people
(often) can comment, and the blog can provide you with a measure
of value. Publish an idea and see if it generates interest.
Does anyone link to you? What do they say?
Rank high in search engines
Well, this has nothing to do with relations. But Google and
other search engines rewards sites that are updated often,
that link to other sites and most importantly, that has many
inbound links. Start a blog at your regular site and your
ranking will boost.
Related links
Corporate
Blogging Policies
CorporateBloggingBlog
Are
blogs worth the hype?
News.com
Perfect
Weblog Pitch Competition
thesocialsoftwareweblog
Blogging
goes to work
The Economist
Against
Corporate Blogs
Mediajunk