Myth #1) “Blogging is only for individuals.”
Technorati.com currently tracks around 50 million blogs, 10% of which are commercial or business blogs. Most blogs are still done by lovesick teenagers or others writing about their own views of what’s going on in the world. However, with over 5 million businesses already blogging, it’s too big to ignore.
Myth #2) “Business blogs are only for large companies.”
While savvy business powerhouses like Microsoft, IBM, and NBC have been blogging for a while, big business in general still doesn’t “get it.” In a recent survey, only 5% of Fortune 500 companies blog. Today’s blogs are compared to the Internet 10 years ago. First movers always have advantages. A smart little company could join the blogosphere today, while its larger competitor may take a year to analyze the blogging scene.
Myth #3) “I can’t blog, I’m not a good writer.”
One of the main advantages that small businesses have is that customers perceive them with personality, heart and soul. All one needs to do is write a few paragraphs each week. Write as if you were writing a fun letter to a friend, don’t be formal and use a lot of business jargon. Hopefully customers already know that the business has a personality, so let them see more of it.
Myth #4) “Business blogs are boring.”
The Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa blog is http://terracottain.blogspot.com. You’ll see posts about the resort, the resort’s dog, celebrities, what it’s like to stay at a clothing optional resort for the first time. , etc.
For another example, a restaurant could blog about special dishes, parties, anniversaries, customer pets, “secret” recipes, etc.
Myth #5) “I’m busy blogging.”
If a company needs a presence on the Internet, then it needs a company blog. It is very easy to set one up. Go to blogger.com or wordpress.com (two of many blogging sites). In as little as 15 minutes, you can create a blog. Add at least 1 item each week. Tell your customers about your blog. They’ll be glad you did and so will your results!
Attention bloggers, journalists, newsletter editors, etc., feel free to reprint this release.