Blog Marketing Works For Getting More Sales And More Clients
August 30, 2008 by Trish Jones
Filed under Website Promotion Strategies
Blog Marketing is about getting more exposure for your business or for what you’re selling and it’s more than just about getting lots of traffic.
What’s the point of traffic if you can’t convert them into sales right?
In terms of blogging and blog marketing, my main focus is helping people who already have an offline business get their business online. So, the initial focus is on attracting more clients and, making more sales whilst we strategize for how to get passive income from information products, based on their service.
For weeks now, I’ve wanted to talk to you about one of the ways a client of mine is approaching blog marketing but, until now, I’ve had to bite my lip ….
Gavin Ingham of www.GavinIngham.com is a sales trainer and motivational speaker and since building his blog last year, Gavin has been consistently blogging and making his presence known online and then earlier this year after each show of Sir Alan Sugar’s “The Sales Apprentice,” Gavin sat down and wrote a review of the program for his blog.
In fact, I know that on one occasion, Gavin was so tired, he didn’t do the review but woke up to about 25 emails asking “where’s the review of last night’s show?”
Don’t you just love it when your readers beg you for more content!
Anyway, I digress … As a direct result of Gavin’s reviews, two of the Apprentices have been in touch with him about partnering on a project or two. You can see Gavin’s post, The Return of the Sales Apprentice for more information.
The real point I want to make here though is that blog reviews extend beyond trying to make a quick buck from an affiliate product.
It seems to me that small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent professionals are still a little slow adapting to blogging and blog marketing. It’s not seen as a serious business building tool by some and others just complain that they just don’t have time to blog - these are generally those that don’t have time to build their business either.
Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’re marketing online and doing great with the online strategies you’re implementing, then blogging may not have to be a serious consideration to you right now. I will say however that I personally believe in the long-term, if your competitor is blogging and you’re not, you’ll lose out.
But back to my business of reviews …
I think Gavin’s approach of reviewing The Sales Apprentice program after each show was not only an excellent idea and credibility booster, indirectly, he was making more sales. He’s a professional speaker and he’s selling himself essentially in selling his services.
But, he didn’t need to litter his blog posts with links to products or even his services. He just provided an honest and frank review, gave away some great sales tips and not only do I know he has been booked for speaking gigs as a direct result of these reviews, he’s now been contacted by two of the apprentices theselves.
Dave Taylor of AskDaveTaylor.com told a true story last year of a lawer who didn’t have a blog but left a comment on Dave’s blog. The comment was read by either a news reporter or authority in a large organization (can’t remember for sure) but the result was that he landed himself in a very high position job.
One comment and no blog but one helluva reward at the end … can’t be bad for a few minutes work.
So, what business are you in and what can you review to get some more exposure for your business?
Is it the last book you read? Maybe the last ad you saw on TV, a seminar you attended or even a company review that would help your readers see you as a potential giant or even giant in your field?
As a service professional, you are seeking authority and credibility because people buy from those they know like and trust and I’ve proved over and over again that blog marketing works for getting clients and making more sales and isn’t just limited to selling $29 eBooks.
In my blog post Easier To Sell A Product Than Your Services Online, I pointed out technically, it’s harder to sell your services online than a product … so many will tell you anyway but most of my clients are acquired as a direct result of my blog and, my services cost way more than the average information product that is launched online.
So, if you’re looking for more clients, if you’re looking to make more sales and if you’re trying to sell products, I highly recommend that you add blogging to your marketing mix sooner, rather than later.
To Your Success,
Blog Marketing Tips and Insights
www.trishjones.com
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Trish
You’re so right about the power of blogging. it is a powerful addition to any marketing and sales mix. Anyone looking to grow their business should be aware of and assessing whether blogging is right for them and their business…
But…
Blogging for business is often positioned by so called experts as a quick fix… turn on the tap they say and the leads will roll in! This is, for most, at best misleading and at worst totally untrue. After reading this kind of stuff, people blogging often think that the floodgates will open instantly. They are likely to be very disappointed.
Blogging IS however a powerful way of building credibility, raising awareness and also connecting with your existing audience. For offline businesses selling products and services blogging is a great way of adding to your marketing and sales mix however, and as with other routes to market, it needs to be done consistently and as part of the overal marketing and sales strategy. Something which you are a true advocate of Trish.
Like yourself, I read a lot and I enjoy writing so contributing to my blog and the blogs of others is something that, whilst time consuming, is a fun and rewarding way of supplementing my other business development actitivities.
If people are prepared to put the effort in, consistently and with passion, I would would recommend that they look into blogging…
And what better place to start than by speaking to yourself about designing and creating a professional blogging platform for them to contribute within (like the one that you designed for me).
Keep up the good work Trish.
Gavin Inghams last blog post..What are your favourite sales questions?
Hey Gavin,
Thanks for the comment and yes, I would agree with you, blogging is not a quick fix and like any other marketing tool, you have to work it.
If people think of blogs in terms of having to update them regularly and it’s struggle, then it will be difficult to get real traction from a blog.
If on the other hand each time they update their blog they think of boosting their credibility because providing good quality content means educating their market, they are likely to attract more clients and, make more sales because they’re operating under a “giving” mentality rather than necessity. Big difference.
This is where your comment about “passion” is so relevant here Gavin. I can’t say it often enough … “Passion Pays Bills.”
The important thing is not to think that you’re not as good as others in your field but that someone somewhere will be interested in what you have to offer - if you make it appealing enough.
I do love blogging and blog marketing for the speed of a)getting online and b) updating my site. As you know, I even create sales pages using blogs now … so much quicker, the code is cleaner and the search engines will index it a lot faster than a standard html page.
Thanks for the plug too Gavin, it’s appreciated.
Trish
[...] Blog Marketing Works For Getting More Sales And More Clients - In terms of blogging and blog marketing, my main focus is helping people who already have an offline business get their business online. So, the initial focus is on attracting more clients and, making more sales whilst we strategize for … [...]
Hey your site appears to be very interesting. While I was gathering information about online marketing I came across your website. Blog Marketing helps the business by promoting the sales and driving more clients.
I keep telling my readers & agents I work with they NEED a blog…It would really help them! It surprises me how many businesses still don’t even have a website, let alone a blog!
Chelles last blog post..Three Very Good Ideas For Your Real Estate Website
You have a good point here Chelle.
The problem is, a lot of these folk listen to people at the bar who said “I got a website but it’s never done anything for my business,” and rather than find out how to do it properly, they give in.
You’d be surprised how many speakers, trainers and consultants who don’t have a website. Odly enough, they sing from the same hymn sheet as your readers and agents.
Blogging is very powerful. Although they can be used for a quick buck the real power is when you build trust in the audience. It really provides a way to get in touch with potential clients on a personal level before any transaction ever takes place.
Johns last blog post..Baltimore Real Estate
Hey Trish,
I just wanted to say that we appreciate your viewpoint. Based on your “Jumpstart” book, we started a blog less than a month ago.
It’s not a “start a business” blog, but rather a blog by my partner who is a blind runner. That is, she’s a passionate runner who is losing her eyesight. It’s meant to be motivational and inspirational, and sometimes just fun.
Obviously, it’s not a quick route to riches, but it’s fun, and our readership looks like it’s going up almost everyday. Since it’s brand-new and we’re just learning, it hasn’t produced any sort of an income yet, but we feel that as it grows, it will.
I agree with several of your points…but the one that I like the best is that
“Passion pays the bills.” I’ve seen it happen time and time again for other people. So within the next several months, we’re looking forward to that happening for us…
Thanks again for your insight and the Jumpstart book…it got us jumpstarted!
T
T,
This is truly an inspirational story and one I think will win the hearts of many as well as encourage others never to give up on their dream. I believe you will start making money from you site soon enough.
The important thing is to know how you’ll make money and try stick to one or two strategies until you start seeing some results.
I’m so pleased to hear the JumpStart book got you jumpstarted and I pray that your partner touches the lives of many with her story and more importantly that her sight be restored.
Trish
Trish,
Thanks so much for your good wishes…
It means a lot.
I’m so glad that you checked it out and feel that it is inspirational, as that was our primary intention. She was trying to figure out how to use her unique situation and passion to be of service.
Once she decided to do a blog, secondarily the concept came up as to how can it be monetized…
Obviously, with her vision issues, I’m doing a lot of the technical stuff, and we’re learning as we go…
But anyway, I just wanted to say
thanks for your good wishes and prayers!
And you can subscribe to the blog at http://www.RunnerInsight.com
Thanks Again …
T
Thanks!
I learned a few good things.
Keep it up!
Nick