#5: Become A Source Of News In Your Industry

Blogging culture thrives on linking to others blogs or news sources.

If you want to be part of that culture, benefit from it and grow with it, you need to listen to what others are saying, form your own opinions and comment on that.

Your readers will start looking to you as a resource of news and opinions about industry you represent and that builds your brand equity.

But always remember to give proper attribution to your sources and be clear when you are quoting from someone or you could get into trouble.

#7: Use Your Blog To Network

Networking helps you build up a list of people who know and trust you enough to refer business to you.

By linking with others, whether A-list bloggers or your own peers, you can build your own influence and reputation in your blogosphere.

In part 4 of this article series, I provide tips on using your blog help you boost your marketing ROI and visibility online. http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs4.htm

Priya Shah is the CEO of eBrand360 http://www.ebrand360.com She writes the Marketing Slave blog http://marketingslave.com and publishes an internet marketing newsletter http://www.ebizwhiz.biz. Subscribe to her free Business Blogging eCourse. http://www.blog-maniac.com

Tip # 3: Don’t Sell

When you start writing a blog, forget about selling. Too many people use their blog like a sales letter. Those people just don’t “get it.” That’s not what a blog is about at all.

Blogs are about communicating – connecting with your audience. Use your blog to build relationships with your audience. State your opinions whether they are popular or not. Politically-correct or not.

A while ago I wrote an article on this titled “It’s a Blog, Not a Sales Letter” in which I recommend using your blog for branding yourself, building your reputation and communicating with your audience - and not just for making a sale. http://www.blog-maniac.com/blog-sales-letter.htm

As marketers we aim to sell. But when you blog, you have to forget about selling and focus on sharing.

That doesn’t mean you give away all your secrets on your blog. But it does mean that you should not use your blog for in-your-face marketing.

Your readers will be very put off if all they read on your blog is one sales pitch after another. People are not stupid. They know when they’re being sold.

The most unobtrusive way to sell is to write reviews about products and link to them, mention products in passing, write articles or tips and recommend products (yours or other people’s) and services on your blog.

Part 3 of this article series discusses more tips on using your blog to market your products and services online. http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs3.htm

Priya Shah is the CEO of eBrand360 http://www.ebrand360.com She writes the Marketing Slave blog http://marketingslave.com and publishes an internet marketing newsletter http://www.ebizwhiz.biz. Subscribe to her free Business Blogging eCourse. http://www.blog-maniac.com