Welcome to the July 2008 Edition of the ChamberExpress News to Use. Our goal: to provide ideas, information and news to help chambers of commerce succeed online.
With almost 10 million blogs out there today, blogging is not just a passing fad. It’s here to stay. And the early birds—those companies that get a head start—are likely to generate buzz and garner attention. Here are some basic “blogging rules”:
A blog will not lift your sales tomorrow. A long-term focus is what’s required. A blog is a great addition to your marketing mix, alongside your content-rich Web site, your compelling e-newsletter and your blast emails.
Blogs are very effective in increasing search engine rankings. Search engines like them because they are frequently updated and are richly interlinked.
Blogging takes some skill as a writer and as a storyteller. You have to say something that’s worth reading, start a conversation worth engaging.
Blogging can be hard, but for some it just comes naturally. Senior management should find the born bloggers on their staff. They don’t have to be in marketing—in fact, in some cases it’s better that they’re not. It’s about knowing instinctively what to say and what not to say.
If your company culture is fear-based, then don’t do it. There are some companies that are probably never going to blog, those whose speech is, in fact, regulated, (e.g., pharmaceutical companies).
If you don’t know where to start, a consultant can help you set up a blog, help you to understand what your company might be blogging about, and help you to craft your posts so they’ll be search engine friendly.
Remember, a blog is a tool, like a hammer to a carpenter, but a blog can serve as a powerful “hammer” in capable hands.
Excerpted from a web article by Stephan Spencer
There are a growing number of blogs from businesses of all sizes. Your competitors may even have blogs, which, as a result, may be prompting you to consider starting a business blog of your own. If you don't have one, here’s how to start.
- Relax—it's easy to do. Blogging may seem like bypass surgery to some, but it's really rather simple to start. There are many Web sites that automate the process entirely, walking you though every step to get your blog up and running.
- Consider “why.” A blog without a specific focus can seem like a rambling, pointless conversation. Before you start blogging, consider why you want to do it. For example, it can be to give people a reason to visit your Web site or a way to communicate with customers.
- Make your content unique. Think carefully about what you want to write about—and how it relates to your business—and inject it with fresh perspective and insight. Be authentic and offer interesting content to keep your audience reading.
- Keep it fresh. Never let your blog sit for too long—say, a few days at most—before posting an update, however brief. Fail to do that, and you'll likely lose readership.
- Watch your keywords. Blog readers come from a variety of sources, including hits from search engines. One way to increase your search engine traffic is by paying careful attention to keywords within your blog. Using them as often as reasonable can help boost the likelihood that a search engine will pick up your blog.
- Pay attention to feedback. One common feature of blogs is a tool that allows readers post comments. Pay attention to the comments you receive. Not only will they help you pinpoint whether your content is working or not, but you may often find vital information hidden beneath the chatter.
- Position, and develop, yourself as an authority. While it's great to chat about new products and services, don't bypass the opportunity to become a source of information and guidance as an advocate for your business.
- Mention your good works. These days, more and more consumers are interested in not just what a business does but the position it occupies in the community as well, and your blog is the ideal means to share it with others.
Excerpted from a web article by Jeff Wuorio
Heading West for Institute! ChamberExpress president Joanne Taylor is excited to be heading west to complete her 2nd year at Institute. "I am excited to be heading west to complete my second year", says Taylor. "I am looking forward to learning more about how to run an effect organization and know that this knowledge will not only help ChamberExpress do a better job with our clients, but help me to become a better leader in my own organization"
To learn more about the road to becoming IOM Certified, please visit www.uschamber.com and join the thousands of chamber and organization CEO's who have learned how to run an effective organization.
Pittsburg Here We Come! The ACCE Annual Conference will be in Pittsburg and ChamberExpress is ready to go! Come by our booth (438) at this years event and let us walk you through the ChamberExpress product. We will have a demo session this year on Thursday, July 31st, from 11:45-12:45 and are now taking reservations online.
