Blogging - Become the Local Expert

Blogging began in the 1990 and has come a long way to the point that it is the most accepted  way to share personal commentary with other Internet users. A blog is an online diary. After 10 years, with hundreds of millions of blogs in existence, this industry has become mature and not just a passing fad.
For a business, a blog can be an effective marketing tool that can spread word about your brand quickly, easily and in a cost effective manner. You are able to informally connect with your listening public to be listened to, responded to and engaged in a conversation with your target market.
There are no barriers to entering the blogging world. Platforms such as Blogger, WordPress, Typepad are free, simple to set up with no need for super skill levels. Content is easy to maintain an publish. Once published, there are many ways you can market your blog to grow readership and expand your customer base. Writing good content is important, but all the great ideas in the world are of no importance if your content cannot be found. There are several ways you can ensure that the world can find your content including optimization so you are visible. As well you can join other blogging communities to link with other bloggers.
Some bloggers monetize their blog by capitalizing on traffic to their site. The amount of traffic to your site becomes a magnet for potential advertisers. If you have a significant number of viewers on a certain topic advertisers are willing to pay simply to expose their product to your viewing audience.
So start your blog today and post relevant material your customers would want to see. Start small. Let it grow naturally. You can do it!

Starting a Social Media Campaign for your business

To help you create a social media campaign best suited for your business I will be blogging twice a week with information to assist you in your long term goal of an effective, low cost method of promoting you and your business for profit and even a bit of fun. So here goes.
First step in building an effective social media campaign is to start. It is that simple. Do not be intimidated that you cannot do it. Your campaign can be simple or broad. The simple fact is you must start.
Let's break down the most useful Social media components for you to use into the following categories:
- Blooging
- Microblogging
- Social Networking
- Social Bookmarking
- Multimedia
- Reviews and Opinions
- Wikis
Each of these unique techniques have specific elements that can be used to assist you in your approach. For instance in the Social Networking area Facebook has become the leader. Myspace is also a tool that can be used in this area as well.
Blogging has other tools, Blogger, TypePad and WordPress for instance. And so on.
This is the age of Internet 2.0. In Internet 1.0 interaction was one way. An Internet site was set up to inform people. Very little interaction occurred. You informed you clients and customers about you, your business and perhaps your success and achievements. People searched for you and only interacted by email or other one way communication techniques.
Today we expect more two way communication. In Facebook for instance we attempt to have a social experience. The largest growing group in Facebook is women over 55 years of age! This group uses Facebook to interact with children and grand children, friends and family! WOW! Who would have thought!
So let go of your fears, Change your mind set and enjoy the journey.
Next time - Blogging!