Blogs are everywhere. But does that mean
they’re a must-have for your business. You be the judge!
Here are some blog pros – or at least
reasons why people are choosing to travel into the blogosphere:
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Company leaders can communicate
directly with customers, investors and employees, to dispense and
explain strategy.
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Bloggers can answer critics in a
controlled environment.
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Companies that blog frequently
generate trust, in turn leading to increased business opportunities.
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A well-written blog gives a human face
to an otherwise anonymous entity.
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Blog readers are more likely to give
honest feedback if they know a “specific person” is listening. The
power of this feedback – if used well – can generate benefits.
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Blogs tell readers that your company
is genuine and progressive.
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You can use a blog for market
research. Float an idea and see if it creates interest.
Maybe what makes this method of Internet
communication the most exceptional is that blogs are personal and
unfiltered. For the most part, real people – not corporate P.R.
departments – write them. Their very informality makes them engaging.
So are there any drawbacks to jumping
on the blog bandwagon? You bet!
-
Lots of people simply don’t have much
of value to say or are unable to write down their ideas in a
compelling way. But that doesn’t stop most from writing anyway.
Bottom line: it can be hard to find quality blogs.
-
On the other hand, frequently the
people who have most to say don’t have the time to write their
thoughts, so the genuine organizational know-how frequently isn’t
communicated. Bottom line: blog readers are overwhelmed by
minutiae.
-
Blogs can be very easy to start, but
hard to maintain. Writing articulately and regularly is both
difficult and time-consuming. Bottom line: instead of being an
inexpensive marketing strategy, blogs turn into an expense that eats
up productivity and – worse yet – can hurt the company’s reputation.
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Multiple blogs within an organization
express multiple opinions. Bottom line: average customers, who
want the company they buy from to be consistent, are turned off.
So altogether, the main drawback to
business blogs is that finding just the right blogger -- someone who
can write clear copy on a regular basis that includes a persuasive
call-to-action – can be tricky at best.
But don’t let that dissuade you from
starting a blog. Many firms, in fact, have hired professional writers
to blog for them. They’ve found that over the long haul, it’s a good
investment. The boss has time to take care of business, while the
organization builds a professional reputation that will ultimately
attract more clients.
If you’ve decided you’re ready to launch
your own blog, but simply lack the time or resources to do so, we can
help. Check out our
Blog Ghostwriter services and get started today.
A writer’s
best friend is a good photograph
by Kim Simpson
The
Chinese proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words” has turned out to
be an understatement these days. Articles today can feel incomplete
without an
adjoining photograph.
Photography does more than
simply augment an article in a publication. It has become a necessary
tool that clarifies a message. The better the photograph, the better
effect an article will have on its target audience.
Visual studies document
that readers’ eyes are attracted first to photographs. Then to
headlines. And finally to cutlines and deepcuts – the photo captions
that define the key elements of the photo and its relevance to the
article it supplements.
Visual studies document
that readers’ eyes are attracted first to photographs. Then to
headlines. And finally Then [MKC2] cutlines and deepcuts – the photo
captions that define the key elements of the photo and its relevance to
the article it supplements.
Even the greatest article,
if unread, is a literary orphan. But the photograph is like a spotlight
over the article – helping to get the article seen and coaxing a
reader’s attention. A good photograph is the convincing evidence that
helps make the subject matter come alive, that adds credibility, that
helps define, that creates an emotion that words can only sketch.
Written words and
photography go together like a hammer and nail. A good article can nail
the subject, and the photograph hammers it home.
A good photographer is a
writer’s best friend as well as an editor’s ally. Use the photograph
well, and your writing will take on even a stronger meaning.
Kimberly Simpson has owned and
operated her own photography studio for over 20 years. Recently, she
formed a partnership with fellow photographer Gonzalo Villota and
together they have created Villota & Simpson Photography in Boca
Raton, Florida. Check them out online at:
http://www.villota-simpson.com
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