Chambers of commerce, also known as business associations, are groups of business people that gather to "protect and promote business interests." Sometimes these groups are the primary resource centers of communities while others are citywide or international organizations. Regardless of their size or location, all chambers need to promote their organizations and communicate with their members regularly. Blogs are a great way to do both. Thus, following are seven reasons why chambers of commerce should have blogs.
1. Increased credibility Chambers are THE resource centers for the businesses they support. Their members look to them for information that directly and indirectly impacts their businesses. Blogs allow this information to be posted quickly and accurately, thereby increasing the credibility of the organization.
2. Maintain relationships Conversations on blogs help associations maintain relationships with members. Providing information starts conversations; answering questions and getting feedback from members keep dialogues going. Also, responding promptly to inquiries and negative comments will positively affect members' customer service experiences, which contribute to quality relationships.
3. Publicize organization and services Blogs help to spread the word about associations and their benefits and services. Since the internet is worldwide, people in other communities, states or countries can learn about different chambers and inquire about membership. Â This may also lead to more members.
4. Enhance the technical knowledge of business owners Chambers can use blogs to help increase the computer know-how of business owners that have little or no technical skills. This can be done by offering member-only benefits and information that would require them to visit the blog or offer computer tips to help them with commonly used software. Keep things simple and be sure to include clear step-by-step instructions.
5. Create FREE media coverage Newsworthy chamber events and causes that would never make it to TV and radio can be promoted through blogs. In addition, these sites can be used to report things as they are happening or shortly thereafter, and to let audiences know the results of those events.
6. Educational Marketing Associations and their members can provide personal and business growth tips on blogs. The organization can maintain its reputation as a resource and members can share their professional expertise. This is a win-win for all involved.
7. Generate Revenue Advertising and exclusive member-only specials are the two main ways to generate revenue with blogs. Â Neither has to be really expensive, but they both have to appeal to most of the members to be effective.
Above are seven reasons why chambers of commerce should have blogs. If implemented correctly, they will maintain their positions as primary business resources; gain more familiarity through promotion; and build and maintain relationships through effective and consistent communication.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Online Education Blogs
It is a burning truth that students in all parts of the world, today are hardly realizing that writing is a skill. The need to make children and your students aware of the necessity of writing skills has lead to evolution of the online education blogs.
A majority of today's school children are reluctant to make the efforts with a pen and a paper. Even if in the elementary years, they are somehow compelled to practice writing, the task gets almost impossible once they grow up. Unlike the yesteryears, the world of modern children now occupies a whole lot of different things. They can efficiently juggle between studies, sports, computers and mobile phones. Internet, social networking and chatting have effectively captivated children all over the world. Excess technicality is also taking its toll on their imagination. Children now-a-days are most likely to write only for the purpose of chatting and mailing. At this stage, the traditional classroom literacy, failing to meet the demands of the age, is losing to online education blogs.
Children have learned to associate the only fun of writing with chatting and mails. In the classrooms, writing seems to them a bothersome task. For today's technology-dependent students, letting them use technology is the only way to teach them learning. The surging interest of the students in writing can be counteracted by introducing them to an exciting world of writing through the technical media. Thus the online education blogs gained significance.
Children must be encouraged by the parents and teachers to compose their own blogs on a regular basis. Online education blogs, besides the networking websites, is considered to play a major role in motivating children to write. Surveys reveal that students who do not regularly access online education blogs have shown lesser writing expertise and improvements than those who have their own blogs. With better performance in schools, the children, referring to online education blogs are showing more interest in writing. This is again helpful in building their confidence, helping them to excel in writing.
Maintaining online education blogs helps the children to develop a positive attitude towards writing and learning. Not only stories, poems or online diaries, in their online education blogs, the children can also express their opinions. With the classroom teaching literacy and addressing serious sections of education, online education blogs are an interesting alternative to keep the children motivated.
A majority of today's school children are reluctant to make the efforts with a pen and a paper. Even if in the elementary years, they are somehow compelled to practice writing, the task gets almost impossible once they grow up. Unlike the yesteryears, the world of modern children now occupies a whole lot of different things. They can efficiently juggle between studies, sports, computers and mobile phones. Internet, social networking and chatting have effectively captivated children all over the world. Excess technicality is also taking its toll on their imagination. Children now-a-days are most likely to write only for the purpose of chatting and mailing. At this stage, the traditional classroom literacy, failing to meet the demands of the age, is losing to online education blogs.
Children have learned to associate the only fun of writing with chatting and mails. In the classrooms, writing seems to them a bothersome task. For today's technology-dependent students, letting them use technology is the only way to teach them learning. The surging interest of the students in writing can be counteracted by introducing them to an exciting world of writing through the technical media. Thus the online education blogs gained significance.
Children must be encouraged by the parents and teachers to compose their own blogs on a regular basis. Online education blogs, besides the networking websites, is considered to play a major role in motivating children to write. Surveys reveal that students who do not regularly access online education blogs have shown lesser writing expertise and improvements than those who have their own blogs. With better performance in schools, the children, referring to online education blogs are showing more interest in writing. This is again helpful in building their confidence, helping them to excel in writing.
Maintaining online education blogs helps the children to develop a positive attitude towards writing and learning. Not only stories, poems or online diaries, in their online education blogs, the children can also express their opinions. With the classroom teaching literacy and addressing serious sections of education, online education blogs are an interesting alternative to keep the children motivated.
The Kodak Zi8 is Perfect For Video Blogging!
The internet buzz about all the viral marketing, social marketing, and video marketing is not just a fad. This is a trend that we see growing rapidly and will be here as a means of communication and marketing for years to come. With the increasing access to new technology the world has all the information they need at their fingertips. Many people are choosing to have online businesses and stores. Practically everyone has bought something online. It is amazing how much more a video or even a picture can do to sell an object. Text alone is dead. There is not a better way to build relationships with people online other than blogging. Video blogging helps people to understand you and your business with clarity and trust.
Everyday business owners are sometimes intimidated by the word blogging. But little do they know that is it essentially recording a video and posting information about their business online. Blogging is just a technical term. By the way, it is very powerful and will transform you business to the next level.
Now the Kodakzi8 is the camera that most easily facilitates this process. The Kodakzi8 is a HD camera and has image stabilization for shooting on the go. To upload these quality videos, just swing open the USB port and upload to whichever platform for sharing. Shoot, upload and share. This camera is amazing and perfect for making quality videos and online interacting. It comes with a rechargeable battery and is small enough to fit in your pocket. For example, a great use would be when you are out with a client, ask their permission to shoot a quick two minute testimonial of your services to post to your blog and send to your subscribers. Happy blogging!
Everyday business owners are sometimes intimidated by the word blogging. But little do they know that is it essentially recording a video and posting information about their business online. Blogging is just a technical term. By the way, it is very powerful and will transform you business to the next level.
Now the Kodakzi8 is the camera that most easily facilitates this process. The Kodakzi8 is a HD camera and has image stabilization for shooting on the go. To upload these quality videos, just swing open the USB port and upload to whichever platform for sharing. Shoot, upload and share. This camera is amazing and perfect for making quality videos and online interacting. It comes with a rechargeable battery and is small enough to fit in your pocket. For example, a great use would be when you are out with a client, ask their permission to shoot a quick two minute testimonial of your services to post to your blog and send to your subscribers. Happy blogging!
Should My Business Have a Blog?
Blogs are a unique way to add a personal touch to your online presence. While originally just for personal purposes; blogs have now gone mainstream. Businesses now use them as websites or to add features to their websites. The format allows for easy changes which makes it easier than ever to add information quickly and easily.
But does a blog add to my business?
People are comfortable with reading a blog format because it is a less formal way of sharing information. This gives your business a way to communicate with visitors, potential clients or customers. A blog helps your business discuss matters such as updates, future business ideas and other matters that can help influence people interested in your business. The personal touch gives your visitors reason to feel comfortable with you and your business.
What information should be on my blog?
This question is actually far more complicated than it sounds. Your business blog can have just about anything on it. Anything that relates to your business, local news or even something that is related to you personally. The most important thing is that your blog contributes to your business by getting readers back to your blog and your business.
Can I put anything on my business blog?
Just about anything could be on your business blog. Typically you want something related to your business. However you do have room for variations. You can have special posts about different subjects. You can have posts about your personal life as it relates to your business.
What are some ideas?
Companies that are food related may share recipes regularly. If you have a child related business you could easily share kid activities. Cleaning businesses could add tips on how to de-clutter the house. If you have tips or hints that can help your customers then you have something great for your blog.
How does this help my business?
If you regularly add information to your blog, readers have a reason to come back to your website. The more often they visit the more likely they are to do business with you.
But why does a business blog help me make money?
People like to do business with someone whom they feel comfortable with and trust. Because your blog regularly shares valuable information, they feel like you are someone with whom they can relate. Your visitors also see your business regularly and will come to think of you as the source or the business to go to when they need your niche.
But does a blog add to my business?
People are comfortable with reading a blog format because it is a less formal way of sharing information. This gives your business a way to communicate with visitors, potential clients or customers. A blog helps your business discuss matters such as updates, future business ideas and other matters that can help influence people interested in your business. The personal touch gives your visitors reason to feel comfortable with you and your business.
What information should be on my blog?
This question is actually far more complicated than it sounds. Your business blog can have just about anything on it. Anything that relates to your business, local news or even something that is related to you personally. The most important thing is that your blog contributes to your business by getting readers back to your blog and your business.
Can I put anything on my business blog?
Just about anything could be on your business blog. Typically you want something related to your business. However you do have room for variations. You can have special posts about different subjects. You can have posts about your personal life as it relates to your business.
What are some ideas?
Companies that are food related may share recipes regularly. If you have a child related business you could easily share kid activities. Cleaning businesses could add tips on how to de-clutter the house. If you have tips or hints that can help your customers then you have something great for your blog.
How does this help my business?
If you regularly add information to your blog, readers have a reason to come back to your website. The more often they visit the more likely they are to do business with you.
But why does a business blog help me make money?
People like to do business with someone whom they feel comfortable with and trust. Because your blog regularly shares valuable information, they feel like you are someone with whom they can relate. Your visitors also see your business regularly and will come to think of you as the source or the business to go to when they need your niche.
Build Your Brand With Guest Blogging
Blogging is such a big business these days. It is a great way to communicate with other business people as well as customers or even just friends. As an online business owner or professional blogger, writing for others can get you noticed and build your reputation.
What is a brand?
It is your unique stamp. With big product companies like Pepsi-Cola or Nike, it is their trademark product and tag lines. But, they didn't start that way. No one knew who either of them was or that they were solid products until they were marketed and that brand reinforced with endorsements and such from people we did know.
So, how can guest blogging help? Well, first of all you have to have a blog or website of your own. You can't establish a brand unless you have a place to showcase it in the first place. It may take a while, but your blog can establish a loyal following you can count on to follow you other places.
Bloggers are smart people. They will know if you are just after them for their name. Before you approach them with your request (probably one of hundreds more popular bloggers get), get involved in their blog. Post comments on a daily or weekly basis. Pose thought-provoking questions.
All of this shows that you are attempting to understand what has made them such a valuable brand on the Internet. Also, they get to know your "face" as it were because you are always around. The only thing that works better for a new blogger trying to establish them self is nepotism (and it is always welcome!).
Okay, so there is one thing that is almost as good - offering free services. If you ever want an endorsement for your brand later (and you will), offer the blog owner a free product or a trial of your services. Doing so is a courtesy that will pay off for you in the end.
Writing for another blog gives you a chance to talk about other topics in front of a new audience. If you talk about the guest spot on your own blog, many of your loyal fans will pop on over for a look see. And, through your bio blurb, the existing audience on that blog will know where to find you. This is not to steal their readership but to share it since you are not necessarily in a competing market.
In an effort to put your stamp on the world of Internet business, try guest blogging. When done correctly, you can gain increased traffic and new business connections that will serve you well into the future.
What is a brand?
It is your unique stamp. With big product companies like Pepsi-Cola or Nike, it is their trademark product and tag lines. But, they didn't start that way. No one knew who either of them was or that they were solid products until they were marketed and that brand reinforced with endorsements and such from people we did know.
So, how can guest blogging help? Well, first of all you have to have a blog or website of your own. You can't establish a brand unless you have a place to showcase it in the first place. It may take a while, but your blog can establish a loyal following you can count on to follow you other places.
Bloggers are smart people. They will know if you are just after them for their name. Before you approach them with your request (probably one of hundreds more popular bloggers get), get involved in their blog. Post comments on a daily or weekly basis. Pose thought-provoking questions.
All of this shows that you are attempting to understand what has made them such a valuable brand on the Internet. Also, they get to know your "face" as it were because you are always around. The only thing that works better for a new blogger trying to establish them self is nepotism (and it is always welcome!).
Okay, so there is one thing that is almost as good - offering free services. If you ever want an endorsement for your brand later (and you will), offer the blog owner a free product or a trial of your services. Doing so is a courtesy that will pay off for you in the end.
Writing for another blog gives you a chance to talk about other topics in front of a new audience. If you talk about the guest spot on your own blog, many of your loyal fans will pop on over for a look see. And, through your bio blurb, the existing audience on that blog will know where to find you. This is not to steal their readership but to share it since you are not necessarily in a competing market.
In an effort to put your stamp on the world of Internet business, try guest blogging. When done correctly, you can gain increased traffic and new business connections that will serve you well into the future.
Why Blogging Helps Search Engine Optimization
Blogging is fast becoming one of the most popular past times with millions being created each year. There are many reasons why people blog personal, social, or for business reasons. However if your looking to increase your main websites visibility online there is simply no better tool than creating a blog. If you are looking into search engine optimization and are not sure where to start, a blog is an excellent idea and let me tell you why.
A blog allows you to continually add new pages to your site. These new pages can be used to target new longtail keyword terms. Each page can have a new topic which makes a blog more diverse to a static site.
The new contact can be written in an intriguing manner which will make it more link worthy. A blog helps you create a community that your static sales site cannot, write in a relaxed manner, give quality industry updates and let your readers see the real people behind the business. This encourages readers to bookmark your site and link back to it, enhancing your search engine optimization efforts.
Your blog posts are also a great place to link internally back to your homepage, anchoring the link with the text of preference. This helps PageRank to flow around your site and increases the relevance of your homepage. Increasing content on a domain is one of the many Google ranking factors and simply updating your blog on a regular basis could see you rise in the search results page very quickly.
Once you have a blog in place and you have begun to write articles on it, you can then head over to a blog carnival and submit your stories for consideration. This not only helps drive targeted traffic to your site but you will also get a backlink for your troubles. Blog carnivals also allow you to influence your own anchor text making it the perfect linking solution.
The ultimate element a blog will add to an SEO campaign is it's ability to gain links quickly through social media and the linkerati. A static site selling a product or service is never going to attract many links, if any at all. However your blog provides the ideal place to show your visitors some real quality content, content that can be classed as reference worthy, content that will receive links. If you have not got a blog up and running already then you have already fallen behind, best get started.
A blog allows you to continually add new pages to your site. These new pages can be used to target new longtail keyword terms. Each page can have a new topic which makes a blog more diverse to a static site.
The new contact can be written in an intriguing manner which will make it more link worthy. A blog helps you create a community that your static sales site cannot, write in a relaxed manner, give quality industry updates and let your readers see the real people behind the business. This encourages readers to bookmark your site and link back to it, enhancing your search engine optimization efforts.
Your blog posts are also a great place to link internally back to your homepage, anchoring the link with the text of preference. This helps PageRank to flow around your site and increases the relevance of your homepage. Increasing content on a domain is one of the many Google ranking factors and simply updating your blog on a regular basis could see you rise in the search results page very quickly.
Once you have a blog in place and you have begun to write articles on it, you can then head over to a blog carnival and submit your stories for consideration. This not only helps drive targeted traffic to your site but you will also get a backlink for your troubles. Blog carnivals also allow you to influence your own anchor text making it the perfect linking solution.
The ultimate element a blog will add to an SEO campaign is it's ability to gain links quickly through social media and the linkerati. A static site selling a product or service is never going to attract many links, if any at all. However your blog provides the ideal place to show your visitors some real quality content, content that can be classed as reference worthy, content that will receive links. If you have not got a blog up and running already then you have already fallen behind, best get started.
Marketing With Blogs - Part 4
In earlier parts of this series on marketing with blogs, I discussed the reasons why blogs are excellent tools for marketing, and provided some tips on using your blog to brand yourself, boost your reputation and sell your products and services online.
In this article, I provide specific tips on using your blog help you boost your marketing ROI and visibility online.
Use Good SEO Practices
Besides using keywords appropriately, take the time to learn about using trackbacks, pingbacks, good linking practices and basic SEO techniques.
Remember that in blogging, public relations equals PageRank. The more you link to others, the more they will link to you.
Submit your blogs and feeds to directories and search engines.
Track Your Results
Keep track of your sales, inbound links, citations by using tools like adtrackers, Blogpulse and Marketleap. Also offer your readers incentives to participate in surveys.
This information is very valuable because it will help you understand what your market needs and how to give it to them.
It will also help you understand how much your blogging is helping your marketing efforts so you can tweak your methods and get more out of them.
Listen And Learn
When we're blogging we usually stating our opinions openly. As bloggers it's all right to be controversial and frank while blogging.
But what happens when a potential customer posts a nasty or rude comment? Some bloggers think its OK to be rude right back, and even go so far as to call that person names.
I don't believe that's the way to treat someone who take the trouble to sign-in and post a comment on your blog. For all you know they may have a genuine problem and could be speaking for others who have experienced the same.
Being rude will not only lose you a customer, it will also expose you as someone who is too immature to handle customer complaints.
Granted, some customers can be a pain in the butt, but everyone deserves to be heard. And handling nasty or rude comments with restraint will not only demonstrate your maturity, but build your customers respect for you.
People prefer doing business with someone they like and trust. So if you want your blog to be a place where your potential customers can interact freely and openly, I suggest you learn how to handle brickbats as well as bouquets with grace and maturity.
It used to be said that the internet was the great leveller because it empowers small businesses to compete with big businesses. But blogs have completely levelled the playing field for marketers.
Anyone with an internet connection can now sell their products and services solely on the basis of the quality of information they provide.
And that's the reason blogs are creating a revolution in marketing online.
In this article, I provide specific tips on using your blog help you boost your marketing ROI and visibility online.
Use Good SEO Practices
Besides using keywords appropriately, take the time to learn about using trackbacks, pingbacks, good linking practices and basic SEO techniques.
Remember that in blogging, public relations equals PageRank. The more you link to others, the more they will link to you.
Submit your blogs and feeds to directories and search engines.
Track Your Results
Keep track of your sales, inbound links, citations by using tools like adtrackers, Blogpulse and Marketleap. Also offer your readers incentives to participate in surveys.
This information is very valuable because it will help you understand what your market needs and how to give it to them.
It will also help you understand how much your blogging is helping your marketing efforts so you can tweak your methods and get more out of them.
Listen And Learn
When we're blogging we usually stating our opinions openly. As bloggers it's all right to be controversial and frank while blogging.
But what happens when a potential customer posts a nasty or rude comment? Some bloggers think its OK to be rude right back, and even go so far as to call that person names.
I don't believe that's the way to treat someone who take the trouble to sign-in and post a comment on your blog. For all you know they may have a genuine problem and could be speaking for others who have experienced the same.
Being rude will not only lose you a customer, it will also expose you as someone who is too immature to handle customer complaints.
Granted, some customers can be a pain in the butt, but everyone deserves to be heard. And handling nasty or rude comments with restraint will not only demonstrate your maturity, but build your customers respect for you.
People prefer doing business with someone they like and trust. So if you want your blog to be a place where your potential customers can interact freely and openly, I suggest you learn how to handle brickbats as well as bouquets with grace and maturity.
It used to be said that the internet was the great leveller because it empowers small businesses to compete with big businesses. But blogs have completely levelled the playing field for marketers.
Anyone with an internet connection can now sell their products and services solely on the basis of the quality of information they provide.
And that's the reason blogs are creating a revolution in marketing online.
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