The world of social media would not be complete without blogs.
What are blogs? Simply put, blogs (a contraction of two words - Web and Log) are narratives posted on the worldwide web.
Essentially, a blog meant someone's online diary and the contents can be as diverse as one's imagination.
But what started out as online ramblings of someone's personal life, enterprising marketers slowly came to realize that blogs can be utilized for business.
Like all other social networking sites, the use of blogs has expanded to beyond what was the original intention of its creators.
Are accountants jumping on the blog bandwagon? Yes, there are a few but not a lot.
If Accounting Firm Partners have realized the powers of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for marketing purposes, then perhaps it could be expanded to include BLOGGING as well.
Having second thoughts about blogging? Here are some benefits that might convince Accounting Firm Partners what blogging can do for your firm.
BUILD CREDIBILITY AND TRUST: Why will an Accounting Firm need a blog? Blogging helps you gain your client's trust because it will showcase your expertise.
You can offer free advice and accounting tips.
These valuable pieces of information will slowly build your credibility and authority an Accounting Firm Partner.
ATTRACT ATTENTION AND CREATE AWARENESS: Blogging increases the chances of your prospects and potential clients finding you.
This may sound a bit technical but Search Engines loves blogs because they index the content.
Be ready though to have fresh content on your blog regularly.
The more regularly you post fresh content on your blog, the more you will be indexed.
The more content you have the easier your visitors will find you.
In the world of the social networking, a blog is a very powerful and influential tool for people searching for products and services.
Recent CCH survey shows that 36% of clients are thinking of leaving their existing accounting firm.
Where will these 36% go to find the Accounting Firm Partner? Chances are that most of them will start their search online first.
FOSTERS RELATIONSHIPS AND ENCOURAGES INTERACTION: Blogging provides your Accounting Firm with a chance to share your expertise and knowledge with a larger audience.
It enables you to stay connected by building a network of interested people around your Accounting Firm - these might be clients, potential clients or just those who are hanging around waiting for your next post.
You can use your blog to listen to them (hear what they think and hear what they need,) understand them and respond to what they say.
How so? Let's say a client visits your blog and reads a post about an Accounting subject that they found interesting.
They have posted a comment and a question about the subject matter in the comment box.
Because of their contribution a discussion begins and you are now provided with the opportunity to respond to them immediately and directly.
What's more - this "reciprocation" of thoughts, ideas and opinions is done in a public forum which means it is open for others to join in and express their thoughts too.
The information and reaction that can be gauged from this activity is something that Tri-media or traditional advertising channels cannot provide, direct market feedback.
By replying to posts and answering comments, there is an interaction and a relationship being built online between the blogger and the followers of the blog.
Blogging is a very effective way to talk about topics of interest to your existing and potential customers by sharing your insights, thoughts and ideas.
It gives you a direct access to your target niche market by providing value to them.
Caveat though, while blogging sounds cost effective and easy there is an obvious amount of time that needs to be spent in creating, maintaining and marketing your Accounting Firm's blog.
Having a blog for your firm is not a quick, easy marketing tactic.
However with sustained input it can help to increase visitor traffic and hopefully convert this traffic into potential clients for you, the Accounting Firm Partner.