You Want to Be A Blogger?

First off, I really won't call what I do blogging. I have a post every two weeks or so and get a few people looking at my post. Second, if you are reading this thanks! But so often, I hear people saying they should start a blog. Usually somewhere in the conversation it comes up that I manage two blogs. If you didn't know I also manage a blog called "The Batters Eye". It's a blog devoted strictly to baseball.

So when talking to some people, they think you can put up a blog on blogger or wordpress and people will run across it and they will build some large following by hashing out their thoughts. Fact of the matter is, if you are not active in other blogs, your blog will struggle. Reason being, it's great to see what others write about. Some great blogs can come from a follow up off another blog. But, if you do this, make sure to credit the person.

Blogs can be fun but at the same time it's almost a job. Like I said before, you just can't throw a post up every so often and get a large following. I've got about 30 post up now and have 7 followers. I'm thankful for all my followers. It usually means I'm writing about something that is of interest to them. So, if you want to start a blog, don't get caught up with the numbers. Do what you can, when you can. Sometimes it's hard coming up with new topics and then sometimes they flow like a river. Just have fun and the rest will follow.

Let's Talk

Ok, let's sit down and have a little chat on this Monday afternoon. I've talked in blog entries in the past about marketing and networking, but today I want you to think about something. What do I want you to think about you may ask? Your Logo!

Think back to when you started your business. How much time, how much effort, and how much money did you spent on your logo? If you think about it, you probably spent a good amount of each of those either drawing up, looking over proposals, and thinking about how you want your business to be represented, correct?

So after you picked your logo out from the 20 or so drawings you did or proposals from an ad agency, you were pumped! You wanted everyone to see it. Let me take a guess that you e-mailed it out to everyone you know, added it into your signature, made sure it was at the top of your website and maybe even did something special on your website revealing your logo. You might have also printed up some flyers, did promo items so you could have your nice, shiny new logo on something to hand out, correct?

Ok, so now let's fast forward to right now. Where is your logo? Let me take a few guesses...outside your building, on your website, and your business cards more than likely. People pass by your location all the time but is it enough exposure, probably not. It's on your website, but are enough people finding your website? Unless your doing some sort of SEO, more than likely people are not finding your website enough. And last but not least, cards. What really happens to your cards once they leave your hands? Wouldn't you like to know.

So where else should your logo be displayed? Are you doing any promotions? Do your employees wear branded shirts or hats? Do your clients have t-shirts with your company name on them to wear during their casual time? Are you handing out client appreciation gifts? Business card magnets, schedule magnets, and calendar magnets? Are you staying in front of your clients or potential client base?

I'm not trying to preach to you, I've done the same mistakes and hopefully I've learned from them. All I'm trying to say is you have put a lot into your business including designing your logo, so be proud and let everyone you know how proud you are of your logo and your business. I bet it pays off in the long run!

What Do You Do?

So today when I was e-mailing out our June special to our customers I got an interesting response from one of them. It said the following:

"We are unable to purchase advertising specialties at this time of corporate consolidation."

This is a company that is made up of over 250 independent contractors that strictly work for this company. They do have a marketing department to assist these contractors and have various other staff. So, that got me thinking this afternoon. More of less, this company depends on these independent contractors to do the marketing. Now, in saying that I do have inside knowledge in this company and know they do some institutional marketing as well. However, it is some what limited, mainly magazines and newspaper.....ahh newspaper, really?

Ok, so what I am getting at is where are they spending the money and why? I served for two years on a marketing committee for a company like this when I was in real estate. The committee was made up of all types young to old. The younger agents always fought for more spending related to the internet and other items, while older agents liked glossy magazines and newspaper. The younger agents won for a few months at the end of our terms then when we rotated off it went right back to older forms of marketing.

The issue is you have no way to track who sees your message. Internet you know who is seeing it and with promotional products you know who is seeing, and most importanly getting your brand and logo in their hand. You have ways you can follow up. Second, you are depending on contractors who might or might not be making the extra money to promote and market themsleves and the company. So when does the instution need to step in, promote the company more to give back to the contractors and build business?

Am I off base? Thoughts?

Marketing and the Economy

Today was a day of meetings and networking. First was BNI then Homewood Chamber, and to finish the day was the business to business power team for Birmingham's Best BNI group. No I'm not cocky, that is our name, Birmingham's Best.

Today my theme I guess you can say was not letting your flame burn out. Studies have shown that during a recession companies that continue to market gain market share. You hear people say that no one is spending money so why should I? Reason number one is: People are STILL spending money! The fact of the matter is they might not be spending the amount they used to but they are still spending money. Reason number two you want to market: To get the people spending money with YOU and not you competition down the street or around the corner.

Now when you say market I have to spend a couple thousand dollars, put a ad in the newspaper, put an ad in the local magazine right? No! Get creative. Think about ways to market yourself/company with out spending a ton of money. Talk to other local business owners to find out how their business is and what they are doing in a down economy. If you don't know other local business owners get involved in a local chamber or two to meet these people. Now look what you have just done, you did some marketing for hardly any money what so ever. Also look for small items that you can pass out that will not cost a lot of money. Magnets for example are a great way to market yourself. Look at the ROI of a magnet. Say you bought 1000 business card magnets and each one cost 0.24 cents each. That magnet will go on their fridge or filing cabinet and will be seen no less than 240 times in a year. The cost per impression on that magnets comes out to.........0.001 cents. Pretty amazing and you stay in front of the people.

Market share is gained in a down economy. You will have to spend money, but know where you are spending your money. Don't take the buckshot approach and scatter ads all around. Target your audience.

Feel free to add your thoughts!