10 Reasons to Establish a Corporate Blog

The corporate web log (or blog) is just another form of marketing, and smart businesses are adding them to their mix. Not only can you network and communicate honestly with current, past and even future customers, you can translate blogging into bottom line business revenue. The following indicates the advantages of developing and nurturing a corporate blog:

1. You Become the Expert
Blogs build community and getting information out to your target audience more quickly than existing channels. They enable you to articulate your viewpoints, knowledge, and expertise on matters pertaining to your products as well as your industry.

2. Establish More Personal Customer Relationships
Blogs are a fast way to join in on the customers' discussions as you provide tips and insights, receive feedback, discuss new products, show off new features, and answer questions. Blogs help to connect their product teams to customers directly. They provide a way for you to speak honestly with key customers, prospects, influencers and
stakeholders.�

3. Consumers Expect Personal Connections
Companies can put a human face on their online brand. By joining into these conversations, they will be more successful if they can connect at an emotional, personal level.�

4. Create Revenue
Blogs serve as another channel to put your brand in front of the customer and enhance your presence online.�

5. Test Ideas or Products
Customers can participate in discussions about existing products and give input on future products that companies might want to produce. Blogs continue drawing in regular customers, especially if you continue to talk about products. Regular readers tend leave comments and valuable feedback.�

6. Continue Brand Building
Blogs create a place where customers and prospects spend more time with your brand. Get more interaction from them by sharing product information and providing customer service.�

7. Squelch Negative Brand Image
Take the time to address customers concerns and they are still yours to keep.

8. More Active Media Relations
Blogs provide a channel where the media can regularly check what you have to say.

9. Better Recruitment
If you establish your company as a thought leader, people in your business will pay attention. Chances are good they will see your company as an attractive employer.

10. Achieve High Ranking in the Search Engines
Google and other search engines rewards sites that are updated often, link to other sites, and, most importantly, has many inbound links.