To blog or not to blog.

The fact that you are reading this shows the impact a blog can have on conversations and communication. A blog is a forum for you to showcase your expertise, it is also a forum to put your foot in your mouth. Blogs are not for everyone, but they can be a key piece in your PR strategy.

I am going to start of with the standard definition of a blog:

blog - n
Definition: an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log
Example: Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.
Etymology: shortened form of Weblog
Usage: blog, blogged, blogging v, blogger n

Webster’s New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.7)
Copyright © 2003-2007 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC

Why Blog?
Blogging provides you with a unique opportunity. It allows you to have a direct 2 way conversation with your consumers, while establishing yourself as an expert on your topic/product/field. A blog can help you hear of problems and start a proactive dialouge about a solution. It can also help put a ‘face’ to an organization. While a blog will help your search engine ranking, it is important to have a blog for more reasons than that. You need to want to engage your consumers.

Getting your message out there.
What do you know that will interest your consumers? Is you company involved in the community? Give yourself a pat on the back. Did you have a great event? Show some pictures. Your blog can make your consumers feel as if they are getting information sooner than the general public.