Jill Konrath On the Benefits of Blogging

(Every so often, I come across an article that really brings home the benefits of embracing a particular marketing strategy. This article, by Jill Konrath, author of Selling to Big Companies, hits the nail on the head on the benefits of business blogging!)

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Lots of people wonder what difference blogs make - and if they even need on if they have a newsletter.

The answer is YES. It's another vehicle for people to find you. It can lead to great PR.

Let me give you an example: In July, a technology firm contacted me about lead generation campaign they were doing. They'd found me via another blogger who mentioned me and linked to my blog.

In short, they offered me lots of exposure to my targeted demographic in exchange for the using an ebook of mine as a promotional giveaway. I agreed.

In August they sent an email to 15,000 VPs of Marketing/Sales announcing my ebook. Their co-marketing partner sent out emails to 10,000 sales executives. Now they're advertising it in several major e-newsletters.

So far 7000 people have downloaded the ebook. This kind of exposure is priceless and leads to more & more opportunities.

Most recently, Microsoft contacted me about being a featured blogger on their soon-to-launch site for their new Office platform. The visibility here could be outstanding if things work out between us.

A new podcasting group contacted me about being a featured podcaster for their new station which is going to be launched soon.

I would MUCH rather have this online exposure than be in print publications. When people are online, they'll quickly pop over to your website to check you out. They may sign up for your newsletter - or even email you. Most magazine/newspaper articles never get acted on.

Blogging is where many of the younger people are too. By blogging, even though you're no longer a spring chicken, they sense you're up-to-date. This expands your market appeal even more.

Finally, if you're just operating with a website, I bet you haven't upgraded it in an eternity. STAGNANT!

Blogs are alive and fun. They connect you with tons of people. You make connections with total strangers. They freely connect their readers to good sources of information - and you willingly reciprocate.

That's how you become a true thought leader in today's market.

Five years ago I was a top-notch consultant from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Not a soul knew who I was except my clients.

Today I am ubiquitous. My ezine has nearly 20,000 subscribers. My blog has many readers too. All my clients are now finding me. Business is great and I love what I'm doing.

I started learning all this when I was fifty years old. I hate technology. I can't even do my VCR. I only have four names programmed into my phone - and my husband did it for me.

So wake to what's happening online. It's the best way to grow your business. With a blog, it doesn't even have to cost you much money!

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Jill Konrath, Chief Sales Officer
Author, Selling to Big Companies

Selling to Big Companies | 651-429-1922
2227 Foxtail Ct. White Bear Lake, MN 55110
web: http://www.SellingtoBigCompanies.com
blog: http://sellingtobigcompanies.blogs.com