Blogging myths could be holding back your business

I want to thank Daniel, the editor of Enom’s Blog, the Enom Register for writing this article on social networking.  It’s right on the money… If you think blogs are just for teens chatting about the latest pop princess meltdown, you could be missing out on more leads and better client relationships, according to Rich Brooks of flyte new media. Here’s a digest of how he identified these blogging myths:

1. My customers don’t read blogs – This is heard most often by business owners who don’t completely understand what a blog is. Your customers might not subscribe to any blogs, or read one daily. But since blogs often rank high on search engines, if your customers use the Internet, you can capture their attention with a blog.

2. Blogging is for teenagers – While teens certainly took to blogging quicker than businesses, these days companies of all sizes and shapes have realized the benefits of a business blog. You wouldn’t dismiss the telephone as a communication device just because your teenager spends hours each night on it, would you?

3. Blogging is just a fad – Didn’t some say that about the Internet back in 1997? While much of the hype about blogs is just that, blogs are a powerful, easy-to-use communication tool, and communicating with customers and prospects will never go out of style.

4. Blogging takes up too much time – As business owners we have limited time in the day to market our services; blogging provides great return on that investment. It helps establish your expertise, generates loads of search engine leads, and delivers your message through three distribution channels each time you write.

5. Blogs allow people to leave negative comments – The fact is consumers can vent their frustration most anywhere on the Web. It’s better to take on those comments where you have “home court” advantage. People are looking for transparency and authenticity from companies; the way your blog addresses negative feedback can actually help you win over new converts.

Brooks adds that blogging has proven to be an effective marketing tool for a wide range of businesses. “You can start a blog on your own through a (paid hosted) service like TypePad or by installing a blogging platform … on your own server.” In fact, all eNom hosting plans include your choice of free blogging platforms like WordPress, Simple PHP Blog, b2Evolution, geeklog and others.

Not a design whiz? Brooks advises hiring a professional Web design firm to develop and promote your blog and get you up to speed quickly. You can similarly engage a freelance copywriter and plan the expenses through a hourly wage calculator to speak in “your” voice if writing doesn’t come easily to you.

Want to start a blog but don’t know where to begin? A great read is 21 Surefire Tips For a Successful Blog Launch