1) A blog is fast

You can update it instantly, so you can make up to the minute special offers.

You can also respond to the news and offer topical specials.

And, of course, you no longer need to rely on your webmaster to make any changes — and wait weeks or months — until they get around to it. Plus, you won’t have to pay them anymore either.

2) Perfect combination of personal and business

These days, you need to give your potential customers/clients a reason to come to YOU. There’s a lot of competition out there, and you need to stand out.

And one way to stand out is to excel in the know, like, and trust area. If someone knows, likes, and trusts you, you’ve got a big advantage over the competition.

A blog gives you a way to achieve all of these. Not only can you tell people about your products and/or services, and convince them of your expertise, but you can let your personality shine through and share some personal stuff too every now and then.

That helps them connect with you on a personal level — and helps build relationships.

3) Blogs are interactive

It’s a Web 2.0 world out there, and in order to draw visitors, you need to engage them. A blog is made for doing that, even in its most basic form.

There’s a comment section, and you can invite people to leave comments as well as comment on each other’s comments.

The result — instant interactivity.

Win a Business Blog!

So do you have a blog yet? If not, why not enter my contest to win one?

Just check my blog post below or go to the Win a Blog page and enter the contest. It’s free to enter, plus you’ll get a bonus too.

it gives you a chance to talk about your business, you’re able to build a personal connection as well. And… that combination can bring in new business. Lots of it.

In fact, a blog is probably the key in any current marketing system, especially a relatively reasonably inexpensive system. That’s because it is practically designed to bring in new leads and turning them into clients.

Of course you need a few things in place to make that happen…

1) An optimized blog

What does that mean? It’s optimized for the kind of keywords your customers are looking for. That’s important — after all, you need to be found on Google.

2) A compelling “ethical bribe”

A bribe? Indeed. And no, it’s nothing fishy. It’s simply something, usually some information, that your prospects might want to have — so you can get them to give up their email address in exchange for your gift. This can be a report, an audio, or some other item of value.

3) An opt-in process and a system for follow-up

All that hard work would be lost forever if you didn’t have an opt-in process in place, and a system for folllowing up with your prospects.

Here’s what it takes at a minimum: You need a sign-up box (see top right for an example — and why not sign up to see how it works!) and an autoresponder. If you sign up for my “list”, you’ll see that part as well.

What is an autoresponder? It’s an automated system that allows you to send out pre-programmed email messages — spam-free. It’s spam-free because everyone who gets an email has signed up for that, and they also have the option in EVERY single email to unsubscribe.

Which one should you get? Naturally, I’d recommend the ones I’m using myself. There are actually two that i use — and they serve slightly different purposes.

If you plan to build a big list and also sell products, especially if you hope to have others help you sell them as well eventually (as affiliates), I highly recommend http://www.myfavoriteshoppingcart.info. This one gives you maximum control over your list as well — and it comes with a free 30 day trial if you sign up through that link.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to sell anything and so you won’t need to integrate your sales process, you might like http://www.myfavoriteautoresponder.com which I believe curretnly also comes with a free trial period.

I recommend both of these because, as I said, I use them both and like them both — for the reasons I indicated. In compliance with the new FTC rules, I am pointing out that I will get a commission if you sign up through my link. However, if you do, I’ll also be happy to help you set up your first autoresponder! Email me if you have questions at elisabeth AT richmondwebmarketing DOT com.

4) Visitors

How to get those? There are many ways and you should use a combination of them. They should probably include optimizing your website/blog for the search engines, article marketing, social networking, creating backlinks, and more.

Want to know how to get off to a great start — and maybe even have your hand held a bit as you do? Check out my blogging course! Yes, it has started, but you’ll simply be able to get your blog started faster, AND if you join right now, you’ll also get to join the next group free of charge.

Meanwhile, whether you want to take me up on my offer — or prefer to do it all by yourself:

Happy Blogging!

Elisabeth K

You better believe it! And make that plural as in “blogs” too.

How so?

WordPress Blogs are virtual real estate. Ever wonder why Starbucks has so many stores? It’s real estate. The idea is that no matter where you might be overcome with a hankering for coffee, there they are. And you can go in and get that MochaLatte or whatever.

Ditto with YOUR business.

Think about how your clients might be looking for you? What keywords do they use?

They might use several different ones. And/or you might offer several different services.

A dentist might offer expert tooth replacement services, as well as extra gentle dentistry for the dentist-phobiacs among us. He or she might also offer cosmetic dentistry.

Blogs allow you to turn on a dime, and you can get them started quickly and get them to rank on Google quickly too, especially if you’re aiming for a local audience.

Now if this sounds like so much extra work, fear not.

You have two options:

1) Outsource

2) Learn to do it yourself quickly and efficiently (and THEN maybe outsource some of the “content” creation.

Where can you learn how to do it yourself?

It just so happens that I’m offering a comprehensive blogging course and coaching program, starting on November 9th.

Check it out here:

http://www.thebloggingcourse.com

Or send me an email at bloggingcourse AT gmail Dot com

If you act fast, you can get in at the early bird special AND get some extra free coaching!