Use New Media to Build Conversations Into Business
ChrisBrogan
subscriber Posts: 5
I`m new here. I`ve been clicking on profiles, and following URLs, and checking out how folks are positioning themselves on the net. I`m surprised that more of you aren`t taking advantage of blogs and podcasts to reach out to your markets and build a conversation between you and the folks you`re trying to reach. In the new world of a read/write web, providing information is nice, but a conversation is better. Some of the largest, most successful companies in the world are integrating blogging strategies into the DNA of their organizations, and always for the same reason: it puts a human face on an experience between your potential customers and your web presence. Adding audio or video podcasting takes it a step further, because instead of text talking you into a business, you get to hear from the people themselves. The old way to do this would be to build a 3 minute video clip and stick it up on the site. The new way is to build value into the offering, and make it so your customers WANT the podcasts, and even subscribe (for free) to get them delivered easily to their reader of choice. Using new media like blogging and podcasting is just another great way to turn a one-side billboard into a roundtable discussion. Is your website a billboard? Consider your options, and think about adding a meaningful conversation to the list of offerings your site provides visitors. --Chris Brogan...
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Comments
I think you bring up a good point. Why aren`t more small biz owners using pod casting, and other technology to create conversations with their customers?
For me personally, I`ve just started a blog. And here`s the challenge I`ve run into. I see tons of blogs everywhere all talking about elevator pitches. I`ve chimed in on many of them and tried to be as subtle as possible, considering my serious interest in the topic. I`d say 90% of my posts have never seen the light of day. It could be because they see my comments as too much of a sales pitch given the URL on my signature line or it could be that I`m not in that very specific and small clique of people `in the know` for that particular blog, it`s hard to say. I`m going to keep at it though! Personally, I don`t want to spend a lot of time and energy to post what I feel is an intelligent reply to a topic only to have it deleted or to have someone make a snarky comment about it.
I`d love to see a list of blogs where you think small biz people just starting out would be welcome!
And in terms of Podcasting, I`d love to do it, I just don`t have the time to learn at the moment and I don`t have the budget to invest in having someone teach me. I`ve looked around online for a quick and easy way to learn about Podcasting and I have not found it yet.
Chris, I know I`d love to see a "Ten Step Guide to Blogging for Small Business Owners" and a "Ten Step Guild to Podcasting for Business Owners." If you want to write it, I promise to try it out and share the results here!
laura
Thanks for bringing up this subject. I`d like to learn more about how to do it effectively.
I teach cooking classes and it occurs to me that I should be using video podcasting to do online tv-show-style classes for free as an enticement for people to take a class in person for a fee. Someone said that an effective way to market what you do is give some of it away at no charge.
Can you enlighten me about podcasting? What equipment is needed?