If you are taking the time and making the effort to create and manage a company blog, it is just as imperative that you take all of the necessary steps to get that blog in front of the eyes of your target audience. Sure, you likely know about using the traditional places for promoting your blog, including social networking sites, but are you sure you are doing everything you can to promote that blog in the offline world as well?
Believe it or not, the offline efforts you make on behalf of your blog are just as important and can be just as effective as your online efforts. Here is a list of places you can use in the non-virtual world to get your blog noticed and prove yourself to be an authority in your chosen field or niche industry:
Print Publications
Newspapers and magazines are still a respected resource for information for many. In addition to adding your blog's URL to any advertisements you place, you can also work to create a relevant story on your blog and subsequently promote it to newspapers and industry magazines. Create a professional press release and email it with a link to your blog. Keep in mind that many newspapers also publish feature stories on their own website, which in turn gives readers a direct link to your blog.
Conventions, Conferences and Industry Events
One of your goals with your blog should be to create a reputation as a reliable authority on information relevant to your target market. Attending conventions, seminars, and other business events allows you to promote your blog. Consider printing up several of the best articles posted on your blog to be used as handouts. Be sure to add your company logo and other contact information on these handouts. Also include your blog address on promotional giveaways such as pens, t-shirts, and brochures.
Business Cards/Stationary
You can advertise your blog URL directly on your business card. As you continue to network person-to-person, you will easily be able to get your blog information and your name in front of the right people no matter where you are. Business cards are an easy and inexpensive way to promote all of the business services and resources that you offer to the public.
Host a Seminar For Readers
If your blog has been able to establish a nicely sized local readership, you can set up a meeting for your readers to meet in person. By gauging the feedback you are getting from your readers on the blog, you can likely chose the right topics for discussion that would attract readers to participate in an in-person get together. It is an excellent way to gain respect and authority in a niche industry in your local area. This opens the door for opportunities with prospects you might not have been able to reach through other marketing means.
While social networking may be the newest big thing in the online world, it is still essential that you and your company representatives make a proactive attempt to meet people outside of the virtual world. Focus your efforts on all aspects of marketing when promoting your blog and your expertise. The offline business world and its traditional marketing strategies are still the most effective for many of us new to social media, even if your company leads a virtual existence. Learn to blend these two worlds to maximize your marketing efforts by leveraging them together in a complementary fashion.
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Erick Simpson
MSP University
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We started doing emailed newsletters to clients and prospects a couple of years ago. We started our blog using content from our newsletter. That made it much easier to get lots of great content up there right away. Since we have been doing small business IT support in Los Angeles for 15 years, the blog has proved one of the best ways I have found to"give" back to our loyal clients and position ourselves favorably in the mind of our prospects.
Posted by: Brent Whitfield | October 27, 2009 at 05:14 PM