Get A Small Business Blog Or How To Get A Clue
"A powerful global conversation has begun. Through the Internet, people are discovering and inventing new ways to share relevant knowledge with blinding speed. As a direct result, markets are getting smarter—and getting smarter faster than most companies."
The above insight is from a seminal book that uncovered the simple truth - "markets are conversations". That underneath all the corporate-speak, technology and marketing tactics doing business really means creating and evolving a trusted relationship with your market and the customers within it.
Great personal relationships are built on candor, communication, and mutual respect that generate emotions of loyalty, appreciation and joy. What is so different about business relationships? The Cluetrain Manifesto points out there is no difference and that the Internet empowers the building blocks of great relationships. One example is business blogging.
The best business blogs are transparent - They value candor. By reading a business blog customers can touch the humanity behind the corporate curtain.
The best business blogs facilitate communication - They encourage customer feedback, conversation, comments and community.
The best business blogs create mutual respect between company and customer - Their very existence says we value you as an individual, you’re more than just an invoice number.
If your business doesn’t have a blog you need to start one. It’s simply a great way to stay close to your customers. Writing a business blog will sharpen your brain and produce a level of creativity in your company that is hard to achieve in a meeting.
And if you’re confused by all this, a good place to start is with The Cluetrain Manifesto…