There
are a wide range of benefits for businesses that
use blogs for promotion and marketing. A blog is
an additional tool that is not only capable of
reaching new customers, but can also build a
dynamic community which exchanges information,
solutions, reviews and opinions about a business
and its products, services and reputation.
Reaching new
customers
Using
a blog as a key element of an online marketing
and promotion initiative gives you a chance to
reach new customers, and to present a new
business face to your existing customers.
The
interconnected nature of social media, where a
single customer can share an experience with
their own network, presents opportunities to
reach many more people. Also, the dynamic nature
of a blog, which is always being refreshed and
updated, helps achieve higher internet search
result rankings, which in turn attracts new
customers.
Developing brand or
'personality'
The
personal nature of blogging, and the ability to
generate online conversations and interactions,
allows a business to develop and project a
personality, or specific traits, such as being
innovative, or focused on customer service.
Such
characteristics, however, need to be defined and
managed through clear planning to ensure
consistency over time.
Gathering feedback,
reviews and testimonials
Blogs
and reader comments are a key source of
information for your business and for other
readers and customers.
Reader comments, and particularly customer
comments, provide detailed and immediate
feedback on your business activities, products
and services.
Positive feedback gives confidence to other
potential customers, while negative feedback
gives you the chance to respond to concerns,
defend your product/services or improve your
business processes.
Responding to and
managing complaints
Be
prepared for complaints and negative comments,
and don't react negatively to genuine feedback.
The way in which you respond to criticism,
especially in conversation initiated by your
blog, will have a significant impact on the way
you are perceived by your followers and online
community.
Complaints and negative feedback may present
invaluable opportunities to improve service and
products in a manner which wins new supporters
and customer loyalty.
You can expect
thorough research into every Blog written
professionally by Consistent Contact.
