An Older Generation Blogger
So you’re probably wondering…why in the world am I, Ray Silverstein, writing a blog? As you can tell from my picture, I'm not in my 20's, 30's or even 40's. But to retain your MPB (Master of Practical Business) at any age, you’ve got to think young. You must be willing to experiment. You must to be poised to learn new concepts in business, communication, and strategy. Who wants to be "Master of the Buggy Whip"? Not me!
Recently in Arizona , I met two small business owners who are expanding to new territories and markets segments through the use of blogs. Neither is looking for exposure to end consumers, but rather new business-to-business customers. One manufactures sprayers for pest exterminators; the other makes embossing dies and machines to decorate cards and gifts. Both report that they’ve received new business as a result of their blogging ventures. How very interesting…
Today, every marketing plan should include word-of-mouth marketing. Are you familiar with Seth Godin (one of my favorite marketing experts)? According to Godin, you need “Sneezers” to spread an “Ideavirus”—the ideal word-of-mouth marketing technique. But this is more difficult than ever these days, thanks to the excessive clutter of myriad products and marketing outlets (ads, the Internet, pay-per-click, search engines, direct mail, email blasts, ezines…does it ever end?).
With so much static in the air, it’s tougher to bring your message to market and impress a buyer. It’s even hard to get someone on the phone (when it comes to getting your message across, can you rely on voicemail or receptionists? No!). So, what has the power to cut through the cacophony? A person—a real, person with an individual voice—who can blog about the value of a particular product or service!
The concept of viral marketing certainly isn't new, but it’s coming into its own. Creating and writing a blog is part of the growing/thinking/learning process. Here I am, a business veteran of 40 years, planning to get a professional blogging coach. To be an MPB, you must keep abreast of what’s going on. You must stay young in thought and action—not just in business, but in life.
I’ve also been asked by www.entrepreneur.com—the online version of Entrepreneur Magazine—to write a sales blog for them on a weekly basis. How cool is that? But youth does have its advantages. That’s why I want to learn from your blogging experiences (and I bet others do, too). Please write and share your thoughts on blogging…good, bad, and ugly. Go ahead—toot your own horn. Blog, blog away!
Ray Silverstein
PRO, President's Resource Organization
Learn about the benefits of Small Business Peer Advisory Boards www.propres.com
Read my book The Best Secrets of Great Small Business and learn their secrets of success. www.bestsmallbizsecrets.com
Read my blog at http://propres1.blog.com/
Read my Entrepreneur Magazine interest articles
http://www.entrepreneur.com/columnists/raysilverstein/archive173458.html
