1) Many business owners don't understand the power of the blog.



2) Others ask, ''What the heck is a blog?"

Blogging is a public journal on the web that takes on the personality of the author. A lot of individuals use blogging as a way to express their thoughts about anything to the public at large. For just a few moments, I want you to open your mind to the possibilities of what blogging can do for your business.

If you own a business and you want to attract more customers, blogging will establish you as an expert -- the expert -- in your niche market. Think about it. Let's say you sell building supplies, and you've decided to use blogging as an extension of your store. What better way to let customers know you and what you have to offer than to journal about do-it-yourself projects?

Here's how it works. Each week, choose a topic that is of interest to your target audience. For instance, you can write about how weather stripping can save up to 15% on your heating and cooling costs. This is fairly simple to do yourself, and you can write a short how-to blog about weather stripping. Since your store sells the supplies your customer needs to do the project themselves, they can conveniently order online while the idea is fresh in their minds.

Blogging works well because it's casual. You don't have to have an English degree to be a good blogger. In fact, it works better if you just start writing and let it all hang out. Here are a few key points you need to know if you want to use blogging to sell more merchandise.

* Let your personality shine. The best way to write a blog is to just sit down and let the ideas flow as naturally as they would in casual conversation. Your goal is to make a personal connection with your target audience, so you don't want your blog to read like a textbook.

* Keep your entries short. Give your readers something quick to read. Focus on one topic that you can talk about in 500 words or less.

* Put yourself in your readers' shoes. Listen to your readers and write about what they're interested in.

* Keep your eye on the money. Customers love to buy, but they don't want to be sold. Use your blog as a soft sell technique.

Blogging has become the 21st century's marketer's weapon for increasing profits. Establish yourself as an expert, include a short biography that tells readers who you are and a little about your business, and include a visible link that takes visitors to your online store. By taking a few minutes each week to make a virtual connection with your customers, you can stay first in your customers' minds and they'll reward you by buying what you have to sell.