| Jan. 19 2008 at 8:00 AM |
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I finally took the plunge myself, and set up Wordpress to add a business blog to my site, primarily to see what type of SEO/traffic benefits it would provide if I could add ( at least ) halfway intelligent posts to it, as well as trying to provide additional information for potential customers. I think the main reasons I held off are because I don't consider myself a natural gifted writer, and the idea of trying to be original enough that you stand out from others while benefiting yourself and the readers.
It seems like the blog has become the internet bandwagon. "Everyones doing it, you should too!" ( Admittedly, I have a habit of refraining from going with the latest fads and trends, so I can admit that I may be behind the times just a bit.) I think that is the inherent problem with the blog; anyone can do it, and write on any subject, but does the blog world become so overwhelmed with so much information that many start to become lost and ineffective? Is it a "Do it just because" outlook for many people? Is there so much out there that many won't matter, or really accomplish anything, whatever their purpose?
M Hall
MichianaWebline
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| Jan. 19 2008 at 1:58 PM |
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I started a WordPress blog some time ago because Nikole made me do it.
There was a big thread about which blog application was best or
easiest; I don't remember really; all I know is Nikole made me do it!
In any event, what I saw is that as soon as you start a blog, you're
confronted with this wide open plain of empty expanse. You can say
anything---one word or thousands. In the next instant, you realize that
whatever you say should have some kind of meaning, not be just babble.
:-)
I suppose it comes down to whether or not you like to talk, doesn't it?
Or maybe how much thinking you do? A blog, having a sort of infinite
roll of paper, sort of begs the question as to what will you fill the
paper with.
Craig Landes
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Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
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Success = Passion, Patience, Persistence!
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| Jan. 19 2008 at 2:08 PM |
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Oh, Craig....I'm sure you could find lots to fill it with! :)
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| Jan. 19 2008 at 5:19 PM |
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Okay Janie, that made me laugh.
The question for the small business owner is not "can I generate traffic with this blog?", it's "will the traffic I generate with this blog translate into greater revenue?"
Sure, if you make a gas station into one of those diners where they deliver your food out to the car while the gas pumped (anyone looking for a business idea, haha?), and then made a blog about some nostalgic stories from the old diner days and life on the road, your station might become a tourist trap and then Guy from Foodnetwork is doing a special on you. BUT that only happened because you had the interesting business model in the first place and used the blog to market it, not because you made a blog. I don't think there's any way to make people drive 50 miles out of their way to hit a local Chevron when they have one 200 yards from their house.
And yes, blogs need editorial calendars and focus - something most people don't think about.
Roland- way to hit the middle ground of everything. C'mon man, pick a side and go with it! Let's see some enthusiasm here!
* Bad Habits
* A True "Lifestyle Business"
(from Small Business Essentials)
writing | marketing | web: NHG Consulting
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| Jan. 19 2008 at 5:50 PM |
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nhgnikole wrote: Roland- way to hit the middle ground of everything. C'mon man, pick a side and go with it! Let's see some enthusiasm here!
 Pick a side?
Hmm, I thought I was fairly clear on the side of suggesting all businesses can benefit from a blog.
I suggest there is at least one component to every business (customer service, customer relations, product information, etc) that can be enhanced by using a blog. Does it take some thought and effort? Yes.
I suggested posting competitive gas prices - I would (and do) drive to another town for lower gas prices.
There are so many ways for business to use a blog to create and manage customer relationships...   and thus increase revenue or decrease costs (for ads, mailing, etc).
Get a blog now! 
~Roland
Edited by: vwebworld - Jan. 19 2008 at 5:55 PMWeb Design | Golf videos | ecommerce articles | Golf Lessons
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| Jan. 19 2008 at 6:29 PM |
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If you saw a blog with lower gas prices than the closest station to you, would you drive 25 miles to go there?
* Bad Habits
* A True "Lifestyle Business"
(from Small Business Essentials)
writing | marketing | web: NHG Consulting
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| Jan. 19 2008 at 7:19 PM |
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nhgnikole wrote: If you saw a blog with lower gas prices than the closest station to you, would you drive 25 miles to go there?
Yes, I do it now.
Of course if the price is only 1 cent/gallon difference, I wouldn't. But the few station I monitor can have 5 cent to 8 cent/gallon price swings.
~Roland
Web Design | Golf videos | ecommerce articles | Golf Lessons
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| Jan. 20 2008 at 1:16 PM |
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I have to say that it's my policy to always check the blogosphere
before putting gas in the car. Why, I remember saving a whole lot of
money one time when I was out and about. I saw a gas station
advertising $3.09/gallon, and wondered if that was a good idea. So I
drove home, real quick (it was only across town), turned on the
computer, and checked.
By gosh if there wasn't a gas station a couple of streets down from the
one I'd seen, and their price was $2.99!! Now THAT's a helluva savings,
I thought, and jumped in the car, went there and bought a couple of
gallons!
I'm in favor of having blogs. 
Craig Landes
---
Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
---
Success = Passion, Patience, Persistence!
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