Tonight I am going to be talking about the benefits of blogging for your business.  Here is my handout.

1. You can update your Blog/Website yourself
2. Your blog becomes your central repository for all articles, news items, announcements and events. It’s database driven, so it’s searchable.
3. “Search-friendliness” is built into the blog.
4. Blogs are easy ways to add depth to your web site; Each blog post is indexed as a page in search engines. (just Google NJAWBO Blogging Event)
5. Your blog post title can automatically be displayed as a tweet in your Twitter account.
6. It’s easy to integrate multi-media in posts – Slideshows from Flickr; YouTube Video.
7. Your blog can be linked from your Linkedin account.
8. Drive traffic to your website/blog by including the link on a Facebook update.
9. Your blog demonstrates your expertise- good for attracting press.
10. With a blog you’ll be cool, hip, and you can now call yourself a blogger.

Resources:

• Wordpress.org   Free open source software for integrating a blog into a web site or building a standalone blog. Self hosted (company.com/company_blog); you’ll need your webmaster to accomplish this.
• Wordpress.com  Free open source hosted blogging solution not on your domain (company.wordpress.com).
• Blogger.com  Free Google hosted blogging solution not on your domain.
• Montclair Adult School; www.adultschool.org Registration begins Feb 1, 2010;  Web Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs & Small Business March 23, 2010;  Planning an Effective Web Presence for Entrepreneurs & Small Business; 2 sessions March 2, 2010 and March 9, 2010

BZA was chosen to be a participant in the American Express OPEN Externship program. Amex assigned a team of talented professionals to develop a Mobile Marketing – Market Entry Strategy for BZA.  This week the team came out to BZA’s office from their NYC headquarters to present their findings.  The comprehensive report and presentation included an executive summary, recommendations, mobile market overview, competitive landscape, market opportunities, market entry strategy, and pricing strategy. Soon you’ll see new Mobile Marketing offerings from BZA.

Are they kidding? Yesterday I was at the Wachovia drive-in and could not help but notice the big sign that said “Drive-in for Bank Customers Only”. With the banks crying the blues you think that some bank marketing genius would suggest a sign that says “Welcome non-bank customers. We are happy to serve you”. I must say the Wachovia teller was extremely pleasant and even asked me if I needed anything else after she finished my transaction. I did not even have to wait online. Why not extend an invitation to new potential customers so that they may experience your fine customer service? I just don’t get it.