I woke up early today to attend a Networking event that was recommended by a business associate of mine.  Even though most of my interaction is done through the internet, I still like to get out and meet other professionals in my area.

I arrived at this event with great joy.  The parking lot was full, which means it is well attended.  After parking in the far back and walking through the parking lot, I could hear there was definitely something going on inside.  I entered, signed in, placed my name tag on and proceeded toward the crowd.

I had no idea what was about to happen.   (more…)

Lisa Abendroth, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business reports:

The ultimate goal is usually sales, with either blog readers becoming new customers as you indicate, or past customers becoming repeat customers. But the real question is how your blog can help nudge customers toward purchasing. In other words, what intermediate steps can your blog accomplish that will make people more likely to purchase from you?

Blogs can be used to announce new products (for example: “Just in — vintage Ferragamo heels”) or support past products (“new looks for that little black dress”), but the content needs to be both fresh and relevant so people will want to read your blog on a regular basis and, incidentally, receive repeated nudges.

Another objective your blog can serve is listening to your customers, provided you make it easy for them to comment on your posts. You should also monitor other blogs, especially those that relate to your brand or products. By listening, you can learn what’s on customers’ minds so that you can better respond to their needs and interests, which in turn keeps your content relevant.

The key is to find a balance between providing value to both your company and your customers. When you achieve that balance, integrity is rarely an issue.

I was reading the blog of Chris Brogan and he has some great points that I would like to share as well.

5 Things Small Business Owners Should Do Today Online

1. Start a blog – I can’t think of any simpler website technology to start and master, and there are cheap and free platforms readily available. Why a blog? Because they’re easy to create, because they’re easy to update, because they encourage repeat visits, and because you can use them in many flexible ways. Need a good website address (URL)? Pick a name out at Ajaxwhois.com, which lets you search many variations at the same time. Then, click through to buy the domain at GoDaddy.com, and then decide if you want to buy hosting there, or from another site. The company Bloghost.me, run by my friend Andy Quayle, offers $10/year hosting for WordPress blogs. I think that’s pretty reasonable. You?

2. Start listening – People are talking about you. Find out where they are and who they are. When you’re done with that, start finding new business opportunities. People tweeting or blogging about being in your neck of the woods? Reach out, if it makes sense. Free advice on how to grow bigger ears.

3. Try Twitter OR Facebook – Let’s not rush things. Facebook has many more users, but it’s a bit harder to find customers, prospects, partners and colleagues. Twitter is easier to use and faster to connect with people, but there are far fewer users on there today. I’ll let you choose. If you go with Facebook, make a personal account under your own name, and then start a fan page for your business.

4. Get the word out – If you’re going to spend time building these social sites, let’s presume that you want more people to contact you and interact with you through them. Print business cards with the company name, and/or the request for people to join your fan page or follow you on Twitter. Extra points if you give them a social-media-tool-only discount of some kind.

5. Try moving the needle – now lets really get crazy. See if you can fill the place up with social-media minded folks. Okay, this won’t work for every business, but don’t be too quick to count out the idea. Let’s try inviting them to a store-only special event, or let’s give them a discount code. You know, the stuff you already know how to do. Any difference in the results? See if you can do some kind of really special one-day-only push, and what that brings to you.

Hey Twitter fans, have you heard of #twtbizcard ? It’s a Twitter business card. How fun is that?

The process to use this is really easy. When you meet someone who is on Twitter, you will simply send a tweet with their name and the hashtag #twtbizcard. For example: @nameofperson It was great to meet you today #twtbizcard. This process will activate the system to send @nameofperson a Twtbizcard.

It’s that easy. For more information, go to http://twtbizcard.com.