5 Reasons Why Blogging is the New Tool for Networkers

Blogging is a concept that started in late 90s.  People used blogs for a variety of reasons - daily journals, to comment on webpages, to give visitors and readers the opportunity to comment or share opinions.  What started as a simple communication tool has evolved into pages of topics on everything and anything under the sun.  As the popularity of blogging has moved forward, online advertising has taken off to benefit the author of the blog. 

Here are 5 reasons why you should use blogging as an Internet marketing tool for your business. 

1.  Blogging is Simple.  No skills are necessary… anyone can read and type, or at least click a mouse.  It’s like having a virtual piece of paper and you simply write your ideas, share experiences, evaluate new products.  When you write the truth, this will entice your reader to also try your product.  As long as you have access to a PC and internet connection, you can start blogging right away with a PC and an Internet connection.

2. Blogging is Authentic.  Advertising saturates our lives every day.  We all question the credibility of the claims made in the ads.  However, with blogs, real people can share their real-life experiences without the advertising.  Reading blogs about first-hand product use is like talking to people face to face.  If you're planning to buy a product, you are more inclined to buy a product reviewed by others who share their experience.

3. Blogging is Free.  Blogging is becoming a mainstream online advertising tool to add to the list of current marketing tools used by many internet marketers.   Any opportunity for free online exposure is definitely a bonus especially for businesses that are starting up.  

4. Blogging builds Credibility.  As you get more into writing your own experiences on a particular product, service or industry, your readers will realize that they can depend on your opinion for their own information needs.  You become an expert.  As a result, more readers visit your site and more bloggers link to your blogs.  You may find as companies and professional organizations notice the growth of your readership base, they may soon get in touch with you for advertising on your blog page, or invite you to become an affiliate which pays for every referral generated from your blog site.

5. Blogging builds your Market.  Unless you are already well known on the net, chances are, only your family will be reading your posts.  Here are a few ways to build your market through blogging:

- Using your e-mail.  Blogging is overtaking e-mail’s popularity quickly and effectively reaching and expanding a market.  Logging in and downloading e-mail takes longer than clicking a blog site.  Invite your contacts by using a short e-mail message as teaser to your blog site.  Or use your e-mail signature to give a link to the site.

- Using subscription.  A simple way to increase visitors by e-mail is to give them an opportunity to subscribe to your blogsite.  Keep some exclusive information for your subscribers to entice readers to subscribe to subscribe with their e-mail address.  Just be responsible in using their e-mail address, as the last thing you want is a comment on your blog that you are a spammer.

- Understanding your readers.  Conduct a simple survey.  Ask consumers to give you feedback on a post, an ad link, or a product review that you shared.  Offering a survey is like interviewing your readers without the commitment and intrusion of a face-to-face interview.

- Joining a blog network – Look for a network of blogs that share the same industry, interest, readership base, etc.  Consumers find credibility in clicking one link to several real bloggers about a single subject. 

- Using RSS. RSS is the fastest growing technology on the Internet today.  Having RSS feeds to your blog is another means of generating awareness for your readership base.  Having a variety of feeds can add interest to your blog site. 

By effectively using blogging as an Internet marketing tool, you are giving YOUR business a boost!