Connect with larger audiences 24/7

Nothing beats talking to your customers in person but face it. You can only entertain one customer at a time. When you’re in a store, and engaged with a customer, others have to wait till you’re done. On your blog, they don’t have to wait around for you just to talk to you or find out what you think or what your advise would be because you’d blog about them and they can comment to discuss the topic with you. And you can all do it on your time.

Build company expertise

My old boss over at the tax office I worked at before is a very busy man this time of year. But the rest of the year, not so much. Those are great times to fill a blog with information packed tax related posts to be published around this time of the year. People always ask for him because they know he is knowledgeable. While it is true that he doesn’t need to establish himself as an expert, he used to tell me that others don’t seem to see or believe the preparers he trained himself are just as capable. He could allow one of his trusted staff/preparers to be the voice on the blog and show his clientele that there are others just as qualified and knowledgeable as he is. This should cut down the many appointments he has and make clients feel that they are just as well taken care of by one of his other preparers. Problem is, he doesn’t have a blog. Shame. Let’s see if I can persuade him this year.

Reduce redundancy

Back to the tax office again because I think this is a wonderful example. People call us up all the time with… you guessed it. The same questions over and over again. Ah! How much the phone calls can be reduced with a couple of featured blog posts. Also, people call sometimes repeatedly to ask if their returns are ready. If you could give out a password for clients and tell them the list of ready returns will be posted on the blog. Enter your password to check that would reduce the staff work load too.

Deliver information to many in cost effective manner

I think that pretty much explains it. Web hosting and blog posts are cheap compared to traditional advertising.

Reach audiences you would not otherwise reach

By guest blogging or contributing articles to blogs paying special attention to those with a local focus. Free advertising, and you get to leverage the authority of the blog. One of the fastest ways to find blogs who would be happy to host you, join Blog Energizer as a premium member and submit your availability.