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If you’ve spent any time researching online strategy or social media marketing, you know that everyone who has ever flexed a profitable mouse button or massaged a keyboard for money will tell you to get a blog for your company website. Even Google has stated that blogs help in search rankings. But why, how, when and which kind? …and more importantly, who is gonna build it and keep it updated? …to what end?
Blogging For Business
At Echelon Media, we understand exactly how daunting the idea of business blogging can be: not only technically speaking, but time wise too. So it’s cool if you are not fired up about 750-word blog postings, we’ve seen this before 
.
So why have a blog? The answer is simple: to show your human side. You see, your regular website is pretty static. It may look nice and have a few pictures, but the content is pretty straight forward, like a fact sheet. And that’s cool because that is what a business website should be… Now add a blog… blogging allows you to speak to your customers and potential customers in normal conversational tones (kinda like you’re reading now!), adding in a trust factor and personal loyalty that can’t be accomplished through flat HTML codes and files. Throw in some video and holy cow, you’re kicking into high gear now!
Another HUGE benefit to having a blog is the public relations tool that in can become. If you are smart, you will use your blog to highlight your employees and what they are doing not only in your business, but in your local community as well. Trust me, your “walk talks louder than your talk talks” and a blog can illustrate that clearly and concisely, bringing goodwill to your brick and mortar store.
Now that we’ve shown you how awesome it is to have a blog that we operate on your behalf, and just how much good it will do for your business, let’s explore the other side, social media.
Social Media For Business
Social media is: the collection of websites and applications that enable people to interact and share information online.
When it comes to your business, social media is: a collection of online tools you use to meet and interact with existing and potential customers. Some of the best known social media sites are: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Flickr. There are also industry specific social media sites, but we don’t wanna weigh you down…
(re-read that above, it’s important!)
Let’s illustrate: here’s Al on video. He’s so cool:
Ok, so now you can see the relationship that blogs have to social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. Sweet action! Tapping the potential that exists in the two can rocket your business’ online presence with very little investment. And before you ask, “NO, social media sites are NOT just for teens and young adults!” 
In addition to being all happy and huggable in the blog and social media spaces, the two combined can and will help you dominate search results in Google, Yahoo and Bing. That is what we call Search Engine Optimization, and, oh yeah, we are experts there too. (our backs hurt from all the patting we do, don’t worry, we’ll be fine )
Lastly, we understand you; the Small Business Owner… and you don’t have time to blog and Tweet and be all social online all day. After all, you have employees, customers and a 500-line P&L to tend to dontcha? So let us do it all for you! (the blogging and social part, not the P&L part )
Yep, that’s right, let the experts at Echelon Media build, operate, and update your blog and social media profiles on your behalf. It’s all good and not as costly as you think.
Our approach to social media is just a little different than most, and we’d love to share that with you! Contact us here.
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That is so funny you’re killing me with these vids.
LOL, but I can tell you that for me, it’s much easier to be social online and get customers than it is to get a “real date” in the “real world” … thank goodness my wife loves me!
I like the analogy of the church group, country club, blowing league and book club. It makes the social media world more understandable to people who might not think of it as being similar to more traditional networking methods. I know that there are some people who think being online is a time waster, but who wouldn’t think anything of spending hours on the golf course or at the bowling league.
I also enjoyed all of the local references — Gamba, White Hawk and Evelyn Bay. I sent out a tweet to the #nwindiana tweeps so they could check out the video also.
thanks Chris… glad you picked up on the local shout-outs there. I think that is a HUGE part of the power we have here online… we can GIVE like that.
Do you think CBS 2 News would give a free shoutout like that to a local business? Doubt it,… but they would cover scandals in a heart beat.
Big rabbit trail here, but the idea is that we social types can use our social muscle to do good!
thanks again!
AL
Hey Allyn, I never knew you had this blog too. Great just one more that I have to read/watch now you a-hole! Great vid as always!
Hey Trent, this is actually a very new project I am involved in with Steve and Josh and Brian. I am going to make it public on Blogger Illlustrated this weekend. This site is all social media driven, not as much about SEO and links and such.
al
I see. Very cool. I could stand to learn a little more about social media. Never have gotten too involved with it so I am sure I will learn some stuff here.
Al, my friend, I so much appreciate the hard work you put into your videos. I’m so proud to be associated with you here at Echelon. I always learn something new and your new whiteboard videos are nothing short of awesome.
I’m a visual sort of guy and I learn much easier when I see it. This video is worth a lot of money, so I feel I just pocketed a free education. Call it Al’s tuition assistance program.
thanks big brudda, now let’s do all this for a few clients!
I second that, I think Al breaks things down in a way that makes the dots connect. Its a true talent.
awe shucks ya’ll !
Hi Allyn,
That’s the great thing I’ve noticed in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere– people using social media love mentioning places and people who do good things.
The best thing about social media is forming connections that might not be possible because of time and space limitations.
“The best thing about social media is forming connections that might not be possible because of time and space limitations.”
—-
100% agree with that statement. That is why businesses small and large MUST be in these spaces because they are where customer interactions (both positive and challenging) happen in real time! It’s such an opportunity and it is very exciting.
Rock on, guys!
Best wishes on your new adventure in Cyberland.
Thanks JL
Hi Allyn:
Excellent video!
Q: Are you guys utilizing trackbacks on this site?
I’m leaving my trackback URL in the event you are… Moreover, I would love to see a video on your take of the value of trackbacks. Inpatiently awaiting the next post and video.
~Scott
Hi Scott, yeah, we are utilizing trackbacks. No need for a vid as I will tell you right now that I like to see trackback links to posts as it is very natural. But I don’t think they add any (maybe just a little) SEO value.
Glad you liked the vid, I plan to do some more here very soon. We appreciate you stopping over to our new little place here and hope you’ll hang out and work along with us.
AL
Man you want to find cute chicks – you have made a huge mistake here man – girls at bowling clubs! Book club no way – man – you HAVE to be getting yourself to dance classes – first off doesn’t matter whether you are smart or not – just so long as you look cute to start with – but you will need some dance lessons and then you will be the man! And the girls wear nice short skirts and high heels – and you you can take them in your arms without getting slapped … just a thought …
ROFL Lis, I will keep those dance lessons in mind! My wife and I like to “cu a rug” every-once-in-a-while and it is a lot more fun than bowling and book club!
Well i see I’m late to the game Allyn and new team. Even Hedges stopped in two weeks ago and i didn’t realize you were in a new gig. Great post once again and hoping to see you again f2f soon and get a briefing on what kind of business i can refer to your team.
Hey Steve, yeah man, we are moving in the right direction here and are poised to help a lot of businesses realize the potential that’s out there.
We’ll get together here again soon, look forward to it!
AL