Tag Archives: Blogging

Business, Marketing

Finding Your Niche And Sticking With It Is The Key To Success

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Business owners, vloggers, bloggers, and websites all thrive on one thing; being the masters of their niche market. For some, going mainstream and facing the giants of an industry that’s already saturated can work, but unless they bring value to the consumer they’re going to be overlooked. While everyone goes macro, small businesses and individual bloggers must think micro when starting out. Being unique is what gets exposure, and the creativeness and passion behind what these people are trying to accomplish will show much more than those who are subconsciously more concerned about acting like or competing with the big boys.

A niche market is often overlooked by the conglomerates, bigger websites, and blogs, which opens the doors for the individual writer or small business owner. When you find that niche and get a good foothold on it, you must stick with it and grow your following and customer base without changing your identity. Too often after a year or two of success, these small businesses and blogs begin to get overconfident, and reach for consumers or viewers who are not part of the original niche they were marketing to. This eventually leads to loyal customers leaving, and what you’re left with is a blog or small business that is directional-less.

You may be the captain of your ship when it comes to your business or blog, but it’s the followers and customers that steer it. Ultimately it’s them who take your niche market and grow it, not the other way around. When you get that strong loyal group, listen to them and they’ll help you get more exposure. Remember, your decision to enter a niche market has given you the opportunity to grow your business or website into something more, and if you try growing it yourself and go in the wrong direction, you’re going to have many followers and customers, but they won’t be loyal nor profitable in the long run.

Niche marketing can be profitable. If your content or products bring value to the consumer they’ll return, bringing more people with them the next time they visit your store or website. You built a community that was unique and brought like-minded individuals together, and now that community is growing on its own without you forcibly marketing to multiple groups. The niche market you got into has brought in niche consumers, and that’s how you become successful, by naturally building off what you started and what the consumer continued.

Blogging

Marketing Matters: Why It’s Important To Start Blogging

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Desk - 1st September '09
William Hook / Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Last week I wrote an article discussing blogging and how it can further advance your business or career. This time, let’s go over why creating a blog is important for anyone at any age. I had briefly glossed over the importance of writing for college students and looked deeper into the effects a blog can have on a small business. But blogs aren’t exclusive to certain interests or situations, and the pros, even if writing isn’t taken seriously at first, completely out-weigh the cons of not starting at all.

Whether you’re a high school or college student, an experienced worker in a particular industry, or someone who has a passion for a hobby, all can make a splash on the internet. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to write about sports, model planes, cars, your business, or advice, there are many aspects of creating a blog that aren’t considered when first starting out.

Starting at the age of 17, I created my first blog, bostonbball.com. It was a way for me to discuss basketball and the Celtics without disturbing friends with endless tweets and statuses, but it was more of a hobby than a serious daily blog. As the months and years passed, my writing along with viewership started to grow, and my credibility did the same. This all lead me to becoming an editor for another blog, which means 300 articles weren’t written in vain, and people were reading.

The same outcome can happen to you as long as you’re persistent and continue to publish articles and content. The first few articles might be a bit rough, but as you start getting into a rhythm, you’ll begin to notice that you’re writing bigger and better posts that begin to look as if a professional writer now handles the blog.

Start out small, write about something you like to gain experience in writing. Being a student, I know how boring written assignments are, but they become easier as you’ve written articles before. It doesn’t matter if your blog is related to school or not, you’re ability to write translates to the classroom. From a blogging perspective, don’t think no one will read your blog, in fact people are constantly seeking for information on any subject, and if you can supply them with the information they’re looking for, they’ll return. As the viewership and followers begin to amass, you’ll most definitely get noticed. But along with the blog, creating a Twitter account to compliment it further enhances what you’re writing and accomplishing.

As time goes on, interests may change, and that’s where creating an endless amount of blogs comes in. Most likely, after a few years you’re now looking at a certain career; write about it! Employers want experience, and if you can display that in a blog, you’ll have a better chance of getting the job you’re applying for, or you might be offered one instead. Blogging has no boundaries, and for you students don’t limit yourselves, as having an open mind can take you a long way.

For graduates and people already in the workforce, start a blog too. Show the world your knowledge and the value you can bring to a company. The confidence that blogging can bring might lead you to starting your own business, as you realize you know more about your industry than you thought. You may now have a portfolio that employers can see, making your blog(s) a résumé that contributes to the experience you have in that field.

Most importantly though, for a personal or business blog to be a success, a Twitter and Facebook account must be linked to the blog you’re writing. Articles can be shared, potentially growing the viewership to levels you didn’t think possible, but also you can connect with people in the industry and continuously learn more, even if you’re not a student.

Blogging brings many benefits and it would be a mistake to not create one and see how far it can be taken. Just as a small business, blogs grow, not only in followers, but as you learn to write better and be more creative, the website itself begins to take shape. To quote the Nike catch phrase, “Just Do It”, and see what the future brings.

Business, Marketing

Marketing Matters: Blogging and How It Can Benefit Your Business and Career

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Foter.com / Public Domain Mark 1.0

 

Most high school and college students refer to blogging as creating a Tumblr or WordPress account, and then starting to write about themselves or create a collage of pictures on their blog’s wall. While there is nothing wrong with that, blogging can be used more effectively by students than it is. For business owners, creating a blog is another way of marketing, advertising, and informing their customers of their company’s services and or products. From both perspectives, let’s take a look at how students can advance their careers and small businesses expand their clientele.

There is a majority of college students and graduates looking to get their feet in the water and begin their careers in the workforce. With a 16% unemployment rate for young adults ages 18 to 31, some are finding it difficult to secure their first good paying job. According to a survey in 2011 by the Kauffman Foundation, 54% of millennials want to, or have already started their own businesses, leaving the remaining 46% of the young population who are aiming to get employed. However, as mentioned above, the unemployment numbers for the younger generation aren’t great, so what can these graduates and students do to help their chances in finding jobs? Blogging.

It doesn’t matter what age group, blogging has always intimidated people due to the fear of not writing well or not being able to supply enough content to make a difference. If they never try, they’ll always limit themselves when it comes to the debate between creating a blog to not. Being a student, I know the intimidation, but if you write about something you have a passion for or what you’re majoring in, you’ll soon realize that you can contribute a lot of information and articles on a weekly basis. In doing so, you’re showing potential employers that you have experience in that particular industry, and your blog alone can attract attention that you didn’t think was possible.

When I see the usual “I need a job” post, that’s not going to get that person anywhere. If they’re not searching for job openings, they need to stop posting on social media those four words and create a blog about something that can get noticed. Almost every student has a Twitter and or Facebook account, so without any effort they’ve already got the tools to help their blog posts go viral. The younger generation has so many media outlets at their disposal, and if they can’t find an job opportunity, they need to create one by displaying their experience.

For business owners, you already have the experience, and for some of you many years of it. Don’t be intimidated by a blank page not knowing what to write; a 300 word article on a daily basis can make all the difference. Write about your company, what it does, what you sell, and how you stand out from the company down the street who competes with you to get clients and customers. Every business is different, but if you don’t make that known to the customers, they’ll think to themselves that you’re company is the same as the guy across town. The same goes for you, the business owner; a Facebook page and Twitter account help with the distribution of your blog posts, so your chances of getting views are much higher than if you only had a blog by itself.

Blogging is essential for anybody, whether employed or unemployed, a student, or business owner. Remember, you’re marketing your business and who you are as a person, so be creative and impress the reader, show them what you can do and the knowledge you have. Marketing and advertising isn’t limited to written ads on the internet or commercials on TV or Youtube, blogging plays a major role as well. Create a blog and see the benefits it has on your business. For you students, you might realize you know a lot more about your career field or interest than you thought.

Business

No Matter What Profession, Being Truthful and Honest Goes A Long Way

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The_Warfield / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

 

In my time as editor and writer for basketball and sports; rumors, half-truths, and being the first to report a news story dominated the social media world and still does, especially on Twitter. Whether it’s the big news corporations, or the smaller blogs and websites that have a solid following, news stories will break, either true or based off of a rumor that either way attracts viewers and followers. However, in most cases there is no legitimate source reporting these rumors, creating a boy who cried wolf scenario that can be detrimental to the smaller news outlets and blogs. Why is this important and how does it effect you?

Whether you’re a passionate blogger for your favorite sports team, or a small business owner, what you tweet, post, or advertise cannot be half-truths or complete lies to attract followers or customers. Knowing this, I always frowned upon writing articles just to get viewership, in which money can be made based off the traffic these posts attracted. Sure it’s a great way to make a few extra bucks, but the loyal readers, the ones who could potentially tell their friends and co-workers that this site is good and honest, will leave and find another website or blog to follow that won’t waste their time posting bogus news stories.

The same can be said for the business world. Whatever you’re selling: a product, your skills in a certain profession that requires physical or mental labor, or the information that you’re reporting as a journalist, has to be 100% honest or sooner or later the person who bought into you will leave once they learn the truth. A good reputation is what builds up a strong core of followers or customers, and that starts with being open and honest about your product. In the sports journalism world there are some writers who are respected much higher than others, and that’s due to the connections they have, but also the accuracy of the rumors or stories they are reporting.

Walk down a main street in your city or town, there is most likely a town diner or a family owned restaurant that is famous in your neighborhood. They rarely if ever advertise, but how did they gain their popularity and customers? The first patrons who stepped foot into that restaurant were satisfied with the food they ordered, and in turn told their friends and relatives about that specific place and how they must go there.

The best way to grow your clientele is to have a product that is so good they immediately share their experience at your store, restaurant, or your services such as plumbing, computer repair, etc. Your first customers are your advertising, whether they enjoyed the time and money they spent, or didn’t. The customer’s satisfaction builds up your reputation, and being truthful further enhances what you’re selling.

We can all learn something from sports, but take a look at the sports journalism aspect of the industry. Lessons can be taken away just from one article or Twitter account in which lies, false rumors, and lack of credibility become exposed. This also happens in business on a daily basis.

Do you want a loyal following and fan base (yes companies and businesses have fan bases too)? Marketing and advertising that is true and honest that reinforces the product you’re selling will attract new customers, and the ones who have already bought into what you’re selling will return. If you’re a writer or blogger, the same applies to you as well. Reporting rumors isn’t wrong, but check the facts and sources releasing these news stories before posting. Followers on Twitter want information, and if you’re not reporting news that’s worth their time, they’ll find another outlet to follow.

Honesty and being truthful cannot be stressed enough. If you apply those two qualities in anything you do, you’ll be successful with many loyal and real customers and followers.