Blogs Rule–Our new Social Media division Chatter RL&A has been very busy since its launch in December as we get ready to debut some exciting new online campaigns for our clients.
While there are many different aspects of this brand new phenomenon known as Social Media, one of the more popular aspects is known as a “blog.” Why are so many people blogging and how can companies use blogs effectively?
A blog is a way to start a conversation with customers and is defined as “a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order.” Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. According to Wikipedia, as of December 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 112 million blogs. (The word “blog” can also be used as a verb.)
More than 10 percent of Internet users read blogs; those interested in personal health issues tend to be frequent bloggers, hoping to learn from their fellow consumers’ personal experiences what their healthcare provider may not have shared with them. (This is particularly true of those with chronic conditions.) Companies, on the other hand, can use blogs to communicate their key messages to customers, keeping them up to date with their most recent product line, a new promotion or anything else that they feel customers should know.
Blogs give a voice to your company’s messages to help create buzz without the filter of the media – direct to the consumer. Unlike advertising – which is like a one-sided conversation, a blog allows your consumers to interact with you on a real time basis. They can post comments and feel that they have made a connection to your company; once a person feels connected to your company they are probably not only going to be more likely to buy from you, but also to recommend your products and services to their friends — resulting in even more sales.
This all happened because of one simple reason, you started a conversation.
So in the next few months as we launch all these new conversations, remember to keep checking back on Chit Chatter to see the latest news about Social Media. And don’t be afraid to post some comments — we are ready to listen.