If you’ve ever taken a programming class, you may know that “Hello, World!” is traditionally the first project that you create. Even blogs, as installed on your server, come with the default “Hello, World!” initial post. Well, I’ve decided to stick with the tradition. This, my inaugural blog post, shall remain entitled “Hello, World!”
Web-savvy marketers will tell you that a blog is essential to the success of the modern business. Why? Because blogs, as well as other Web 2.0 tools, allow your customers to interact with you. Gone are the days of one-sided conversations between businesses and their audience. Blogs, social networking, social bookmarking, RSS feeds and podcasts all allow for increased interactivity with your audience. Personally, I’m a huge fan.
Before Web 2.0 initiaitives, the only ways for businesses to know what their customers were thinking usually involved huge amounts of energy, resources, time, and money, for a considerably low return. If you sent out surveys to your customers, how many do you think you would get back? What about organizing a focus group? These methods may absolutely still be applicable to the modern business model, and now there are so many more options to choose from.
Another great plus of increased interactivity? It’s more immediate. I post this blog today, and how long do you think it will be before someone comments? Well, okay. Maybe that’s a poor example because, as a new blog in the blogosphere, it could be a while before someone lands on mine. But consider the immediate impact of posts to blogs for large, well-known companies.
I’m excited to see who comes to visit my blog, and what they have to say. I’m excited to be able to share with my audience the many tips, resources, and business suggestions that are swirling around in my head each day. And as I sign off on this, my maiden blog voyage, I ask you to tune in to more thoughts from beyond…