Why Your Small Business Needs a Blog

Since our company develops corporate web 2.0 sites, our team of web developers are big advocates of integrating blogging as a part of a company's online marketing strategy. Although blogging has shifted in popularity over the last few years in light of other social media tools like Facebook and Twitter, I still believe that a blog is one of the best marketing opportunities for many small businesses. They are relatively simple and inexpensive to set up and can typically be added to your existing website.  A blog allows you to easily and quickly communicate with your audience (vs. your website, which may be difficult to update) and allows you to share information about your company.

Here are some of the benefits of having a small business blog:

1) Showcase Your Company

No matter what line of business you are in a blog is a great way to share interesting information about your business.  For example, if you are a business coach you can post “behind the scenes” photos or videos of your seminars.  Show people how the presentation is delivered or some of your special guest speakers.  Alternately you can talk about how you help your customers reach their career goals to the fullest potential (i.e. a teaser to increase awareness and credibility about areas where you have special expertise).  For example a web development company can showcase a "User Experience" expert talking about how they utilize real-time 3D gaming technology for immersive user interactions.  This shows that the company does more than just develop traditional websites – they put a lot of thought into them.  This can help justify premium pricing and also shows you as an expert in the field.

2) Talk about Company News

A blog is a great place to highlight company news.  Press releases are often very formal and don’t provide “real” perspective.  Use your blog to talk to people like people and share information beyond a press release.  For example, you may have a news release about a new technology feature of your company's technology platform.  On your blog you can build relationships by talking about how it can benefit your customers and share how excited you are.  You can also share photos.  Blogs are great ways to make your company news more human and allow people to really connect with you.

3) Discuss Company Issues or Policies

If you get a lot of feedback on certain areas of your business, a blog can be a great way to have an honest conversation with your customers about it.  Don’t accept unsolicited sales appointments at your office?  Explain why.  Let your customers understand and respond to your business policies.  You may also be surprised with solutions that they can offer.  When I worked for an architectural firm, we had a policy that our architectural original equipment manufacturer representatives didn’t agree with.  When we posted about them on our blog, the architectural (OEM) sales reps actually suggested a better solution that we end up adopting.

4) Show what you Know

This is similar to #1.  Remember this saying: "People don't care about how much you know until they know how you care" - at nVision we are always mindful that it's never about us and it's always about our customer (it's ingrained in our company culture). Highlight the knowledge and talent in your organization that leads to the benefit of your customer.  Let people know what goes in to making your product.  Share photos and videos.  Allow them to connect with you and your team.  If you have a career coaching business, you can talk about why all business executives and community leaders need your help. This can help position your company as a leader in the industry and really highlight why your company is the best solution.

5) Educate your Customers

Whatever your line of business; your customers are often seeking out information to better inform their buying decision.  Whether it's selling a service or a product?  Write blog posts on what makes your service or product different from other kinds of services or products that may appear similar.  Help your customers better understand how your company's service or product makes the difference in their success.  Educate your customers to show your knowledge, expertise, experience, professionalism, quality, service and drive loyalty.

6) Search Engine Optimization

A blog can have a positive impact on your search engine ranking results as well.  Essentially this means that when people Google keywords related to your product or service you show up near the top of the results.  This can lead to more traffic to your website and ultimately more business.  If I search “Transcend Business Coach” and you show up first, I am more likely to go to your business.  Blogs help your search engine results because they are full of keywords which helps Google understand what your website is about.  They also get updated frequently which helps with your Google ranking.

Maximizing LinkedIn to grow your business network

As the VP of Business Development for nVision Defense, I have the wonderful opportunity to connect with a lot of new business people. One subject area that always amazes me is the amounts of business people that are eager to expand their own networks however do not utilize LinkedIn. These days, online networking is all the rage: sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are making big news. I suspect that most people do not know how to effectively use these sites to increase maximum business networking reach.

Today, I'm going to share with you some easy ways to use LinkedIn and make it work for your business. Done right, these tips will help you to increase your search engine rankings, and help your customers find and do business with you. The objective here is to give you another marketing channel to increase your business network, after all it is FREE!

1. Update your status.
On your LinkedIn home page, there's a question under your Inbox and at the top of your Network Updates section: “What are you working on now?” Answer the question. Much like a status update on Facebook or Twitter, this function allows your network to see what you're doing in real-time. Why should you update? LinkedIn shows profiles in search results that have been recently updated. The more you update, the more likely you are to show up closer to the top. When you use the status-updates function, you'll raise your profile on search engines as well.

2. Update your website links.
Which of the following is easier to read: My website or http://www.nvisiondefense.com? If you're like most of the population, the words “My website” are easier to digest. On LinkedIn, use words as links instead of your actual web address. Users are more likely to click through and visit because they understand where they're going. Include links to your blog, services, or products with appropriate headers: “My blog,” “My Services,” and “My products.”

3. Create a strategic resumé.
You've probably heard it before, but it's worth mentioning again: online, content is king. On your LinkedIn page, the resumé section is the ideal place to implement search engine optimization strategies and insert key words and phrases. Are you a life coach? Get specific: do you help people with job transition, upward mobility, or marketing? Think of your niche and use keywords to describe what you do in your resumé section. When you update you're resumé with keywords and optimization in mind, you increase the chances your customers will find you online.

4. Search for people you want to meet.
This is why I originally joined LinkedIn in the first place, to meet new business executives that do not have a lot of time on their hands so when they receive a business message from you - that is an opportunity for them to see what you're about and decide whether they want to get to know you better. Remember this, a social networking tool is only as good as the work you put into it - it doesn't grow by itself.. If you want LinkedIn to work for you, reach out and get involved. Search for customers, business connections, and potential strategic partners and say hi. Have you been itching to be introduced to someone at that large company? Search for employees of the business online and find out which of your connections knows them. Ask for an introduction; it's that simple.

5. Allow people to connect with you directly.
With online networking, it's tempting to let people simply contact you through the platform's email system. However, this isn't always the most personal form of interaction and some people want to chat directly. Post your email address on your profile. This not only increases your credibility, but also shows you're open and willing to communicate.

6. Contact settings page.
In your Contact Settings page, there's a section titled: “What advice would you give users considering contacting you?” Fill this section out and give some helpful information. This is a great place to explain what type of clients you help and the services you provide in greater detail; Even better? This section is perfect for a plug that entices readers to visit your blog or web page. Be sure to include a link as well. For example, an answer could be, “Thinking about redesigning your Corporate Website with Web 2.0? Call me to discuss your project. 256.799.0286.”

7. Join groups and participate.
I know what you're going to say, "I just don't have a lot of time to join any groups" right? Well, social networking does take some time and you will have to decide how much you want to grow your network through another marketing channel - please remember this; participation is the name of the game. The more you get involved in networking, the more you'll benefit. On LinkedIn, you have the opportunity to join groups and participate in discussions. Get active! These groups are a great place to offer valuable insight and get thought-provoking business advice. (One note of caution: provide valuable information, not just shameless plugs for your business.)

Although it does require some time and effort, when used strategically, LinkedIn is an extremely useful business tool. With these suggestions, you'll enjoy more traffic, more connections, and a better online networking experience. And best of all, it's free. Enjoy.

If you're looking to get started on LinkedIn, I'd like to highly recommend a LinkedIn Class called "Introduction to LinkedIn 101" Instructors: David McElhaney and Bruce Avilla have created a special Training (FREE) Class to help you get a jump-start on LinkedIn. The “Introduction to LinkedIn 101” class via email to Bruce Avilla to get more information contact: Bavilla@DataVentures.biz

Welcome to nVision's Blog

Welcome to the nVision Defense Blog where you're able to get creative tips, fresh ideas and insightful information on 3D real-time simulation technology trends, new serious game technology, web 2.0 development, e-marketing tips, military computer based training (CBT) tips, what's happening in the military serious game training industry from a small business perspective.

At nVision we are a small-based business located in Huntsville, AL that specialize in 3D Virtual Simulation Technology for today's DoD sustainment training & simulation market as well as OEM commercial applications.

Currently the Army is looking for new ways to cut their training budgets and get by with less; meaning how can they get more mileage for their training dollars and at the same time keep up with the demand for higher quality, faster and cheaper sustainment training solutions. There was a time in the not so distant past that the training systems development cost of such robust computer based training applications was a very cost-prohibitive proposition. Fast forward to today and you'll find that the serious game commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology platforms are much faster, cheaper (let's use the word "Cost Effective") and easily delivered over the web. Now, anyone can have access to high-quality, cost-effective training anywhere, anytime ("just-in-time" or "on-demand") via the internet. The playing field is getting more flat and highly competitive with each new technology up-grade or better yet, every new release. Which seems to be every other month these days. The large government contract corporations that have bought into reinvesting in their legacy training systems are finding themselves "Boxed In" and are unable to take advantage of; or leverage the hyper fast-paced new technology changes. Whereas companies like nVision Defense are able to turn on a dime with changes and modifications in the DoD requirements documents. Small, agile and flexible are the buzz words of today and don't forget to throw in that cost-effective factor and you have have the makings of a highly competitive training solution.

The current trends I foresee in the near as well as long-term of 3D interactive multimedia instruction (IMI) will be companies finding teaming opportunities with companies similar to nVision Defense that allows for quick turn-around response capabilities while at the same remaining highly competitive and budget conscious.