1. Blogs – Can Benefit Your Business Prepared by SCORE Chapter 476 Staten Island, New York

2. What is a Blog A "blog"is an online journal where the author expresses his realm of interest.A "blog"is an online journal where the author expresses his realm of interest. Easy to set up – could take less than 5 minutesEasy to set up – could take less than 5 minutes Easy to updateEasy to update It is FREEIt is FREE Blogs are available on the Internet exactly like other webpages, so by default they will be automatically indexed by search engines such as Google.Blogs are available on the Internet exactly like other webpages, so by default they will be automatically indexed by search engines such as Google.

3. How can a Blog help my business Promote your product or servicePromote your product or service Provide customer information quicklyProvide customer information quickly Answer customer questionsAnswer customer questions Used by employees to collaborate on company mattersUsed by employees to collaborate on company matters Can link to other sitesCan link to other sites

4. How do I get Started To get started go to www.blogger.com. It could take less than five minutes to get started with Web publishing. A trial run suggested it could take less than three, not counting the time required to come up with the perfect brand name for your fledgling media outlet.To get started go to www.blogger.com. It could take less than five minutes to get started with Web publishing. A trial run suggested it could take less than three, not counting the time required to come up with the perfect brand name for your fledgling media outlet. www.blogger.com

5. What MUST I do Regular updates are a must, especially for a new blog still finding its niche audience of readers.Regular updates are a must, especially for a new blog still finding its niche audience of readers. Without new posts, a blog will be ignored. The reader will simply move along to the next blog on the list.Without new posts, a blog will be ignored. The reader will simply move along to the next blog on the list.

6. Benefits of a Blog A business blog provides a personal voice to your businessA business blog provides a personal voice to your business Develop a long term relationship with potential and existing clients and customers.Develop a long term relationship with potential and existing clients and customers. Public relations can be expedited with regular and frequent postings of the company's message. The news media regularly visit blogs searching for potential news items. Public relations can be expedited with regular and frequent postings of the company's message. The news media regularly visit blogs searching for potential news items.

7. What must I do to get eyeballs Add your blog link to the many free blog directoriesAdd your blog link to the many free blog directories Directories build traffic as visitors click on directory links and find your blog. Directories build traffic as visitors click on directory links and find your blog. Many bloggers use the listings in the directories to find very related link exchange partners. To find a listing visit -http://www.blogwise.com/Many bloggers use the listings in the directories to find very related link exchange partners. To find a listing visit -http://www.blogwise.com/

8. Additional Value of Directories Directories help in the search engines by providing add Google PageRank (Google's numerical measure of the relative importance of a site on the internet).Directories help in the search engines by providing add Google PageRank (Google's numerical measure of the relative importance of a site on the internet). Directories provide added incoming one way links that assist your blog in ranking higher in the search engines for your blog's most important keywords.Directories provide added incoming one way links that assist your blog in ranking higher in the search engines for your blog's most important keywords.

9. Promote Your Blog Blogs can be used to run daily or weekly contestsBlogs can be used to run daily or weekly contests You can also highlight new business promotions with your blog.You can also highlight new business promotions with your blog. Blogs can be used to test out new projects or to get feedback on new products. Blogs can be used to test out new projects or to get feedback on new products. Customers and potential customers will love to be able to give you input on the products or services of your business.Customers and potential customers will love to be able to give you input on the products or services of your business.