A blog, an informal and informative "journal" that you update regularly, can be an active marketing tool. A business blog is a major part of social media to extend your reach within your strategic Marketing Plan. Rather than merely set up a picturesque website that you hope someone will find, you put out helpful information related to your products or services. People who are looking for remarkable information find your blog and discover you and your business, and find out that you have the ability to provide solutions to their problems.

Even better, they have the ability to respond to your information and insights, ask questions, and interact with you via your blog. You build relationships with your potential customers, and people are more comfortable buying from someone they know.

As you build these relationships, you make your business real to your customers. You share what's new and changing in your company- staffing, research, and special events. You show your expertise by providing useful information. You become a point person and a resource by solving problems for your readers.

When you show you have the expertise, ability, and credibility to meet the needs of your reader, you are better able to persuade them to make the purchase or contract a service.