The Secret Behind Marketing Yourself Online

Creating a solid online presence is essential for any serious business. A company website is one of the most important steps you’ll take in this matter. As for blogs, opinions tend to vary, especially as the quality and professionalism of many blogs is often in question.

I believe that a formal, yet eye catching website is more professional than a blog. Bev Clement, a personal acquaintance of mine and an online marketing expert, has explained website VS blog debate:

When many customers go through the buying process, the first thing they look for is a polished website that displays a professional business image. Oftentimes, you will not find this on a blog.

Furthermore, even if customers do decide to give a blog a second look, the quality and brand of blog can also reveal a lot about its user. Wordpress, for instance, may sound like an established blogging site, but let’s face it—it’s a free hosting site, with several less than professional users. It’s not professional, and it’s not impressive. If customers are searching for a quality product, blogs like these can significantly lessen your chances of getting a sale.

However, not all blogs are unprofessional. Blogs can even be used as an additional online marketing tool, especially when coupled with a website. A blog should have an appearance that’s just as professional as the one on your website. Whether you’re selling a product or a service, displaying essays, articles, photos, and more on an established blog not only shows your passion and dedication to your profession, but it is extremely useful in showing just how much you know about it.

Blogs are also useful in that they show what you’re up to. You can advertise products, display your schedule, and let your online audience know when big events occur in your business. Blogs are also effective communication tools—all readers need to do is leave a comment.

The key to having successful blog as a communication devise is to keep your writing formal. Make sure that it is free of grammar and spelling errors. It is crucial that your research is sound and your topics are relevant. Ensure that you do these things and you can make your blog work for you.

Another important step to establish an online presence is to make sure you know everything there is to know about what you’re selling. Whether it’s a product or an online service, make sure you’re a specialist when it comes to your business. Here are a few tips to ensure you make a good impression:

1. Hire a copywriter. Copywriters are especially useful when it comes to selling products—they can research both your client base and your product to make it as appealing as possible. If you are selling a particular service, a good copywriter can emphasize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

2. Publish an e-book. A well written e-book not only demonstrates your expertise on a particular product, but it shows your dedication to make your strengths known. You can distribute e-books to potential customers, or you can sell the book for additional profit.

3. Design a page on your site linking to essays and articles relevant to your profession. These can be legitimate articles online or informative nonfiction. It never hurts to add positive scientific proof or educational articles that reveal new concepts about your product.