Blogs and Newsletters - A way of gaining trust?

Yes to all of the above. I think blogs AND newsletters are great ways to reveal something about yourself while at the same time staying focused on providing a valuable mix of tips, advice, and newsy bits that will interest your customers enough to keep them subscribing, and perhaps even forwarding your posts/newsletters on to friends who might need your help. For an example of someone who does both, check out Chris Haddad, or Ilise Benun, both Biznik members who do both.

I usually like to know where my money is going. I like it when a company post what they believe and what they stand for. I sort of like supporting what I believe and getting the product/service that I need/want.

Many times it doesn't matter what a company believes in... If I like Lexus and they support democrats... I'll still purchase their cars.

Good luck with the blogs and newsletters!

-Andrey

As a (somewhat former) blogging coach, I would say they definitely make a difference. I've seen my biz blog be effective in helping people feel acquainted with me in both my businesses. I think a newsletter is helpful as well; I'm just too lazy to write one in addition to my blog. What I do is allow people to subscribe to a "newsletter" on my site, which is really a service that forwards my latest blog post to them. I know several Bizniks who use similar services (look up Feedblitz or Feedburner for more info).

If you're wondering (from a personal experience perspective) how helpful a blog can be, you might check out either of my two blogs and see if you feel closer to me. :) Click here to see my blog coach website and click here to see my Fog to Fire website.

I'm gonna just echo what's said here. Our email newsletter has been directly responsible for the growth of our business- and does exactly what you are wanting.

I've had people call me up and tell me that they already feel like they know me really well, because they've read the newsletter for months, sometimes years.

I have started blogging as well, but I find that for having people shift from readers to clients or customers for products and services, the newsletter has been way more effective. It's true I could do a lot more with my blog, and probably get more from it- and I will.

But, don't let anyone tell you email marketing is dead, because it isn't.

The main thing with your writing is that: - it be personable and conversational - entertaining and engaging- interesting to read - useful and educational- actually helps

And, with that last point, I've found it way more effective to get micro about the topics I write about. Just little keyhole-sized issues, and go in-depth, because it's more likely it will be applicable to someone's situation, they'll use it, and say: "Hey, that worked!"

General 'articles' that are vague top-ten lists tend not to be as useful and powerful to people.

Just my observation- let me know if this helpful.

I second Mark's insights. And if you want to see newsletters done amazingly well, check out his. I subscribed a couple months ago, and I'm amazed at how every single thing he sends out has all three of the crucial traits he mentions. I've forwarded his articles to others and have seen them become his clients within days.

Hey Mary,

It's really best to have your blog be hosted on the same server and connected to your website, for a variety of reasons. So Blogger's not the best idea. If you want to know more about this, shoot me a message.

Thanks, Rachel- that's a nice endorsement. It took awhile to learn what I was doing, through trial-and-error. :)

Mary.. Yes I think that putting yourself "out there" like you are doing does increase trust, but not just that by itself.

I have read some of your posts and met you in person at 1 or 2 events recently. I never would have considered using your services or refering you to my friends just from reading your postings. But, coupled together with the real life meeting at a few events, I will DEFINITLY consider doing biz with you in the future.

Either one (internet postings or personal meetings) by themselves is not usually enough to establish a real biz transaction. BOTH are necessary. Especially in your line of work. I really think your blogging idea will help you gain more biz....HH

Welcomes, Mark. :)

And I agree with Howard that usually (in the beginning), you need to combine the powers of blogging/newsletters with face-to-face networking.

AND I've discovered as time goes on that eventually you as a biz will catch on and all that a potential client will need is the referral to you from a friend and a glance at your blog or articles.

I'll chime in- having done both e-newsletters and blogging, both are highly effective tools for connecting with prospects. I write daily articles and receive at least one daily lead from someone who has read my articles or blog.

One of the key benefits that my readers have is that they can skim through months (sometimes years) of articles. That allows them to see I am not some "new guy" on the street, explore some of how I perceive other projects, and have a taste of my personal viewpoints.

I would recommend Wordpress for a whole slew of reasons and would stay clear of Blogger. The Wordpress platform is fully scalable as you grow into things, and supports a variety of different technical features not found on other blog platforms.

Once you have a voice to share, the real challenge isn't writing better articles... it is finding a place to have that voice heard: whether it is here in an audience like Biznik or on a specific niche-demographic site. Finding industry related audiences that fit in with your business model can often be a "win win" scenario for both sides.

On top of that... your business model is both professional and very personal for the execs you work with. It takes a high degree of faith and trust to assign workload to someone else, and building those relationships through testimonials and referrals is key to the model you have. You should network with Jeff Collins here on Biznik, he's a professional haberdasher (very similar client demographic)

I agree with what Mark said. My newsletter is now coming out twice per month and I constantly get people writing me and thinking me for the help I have given. It has definitely helped me build trust with people all over the world in ways that I could not possibly do otherwise. Like Mark, I attempt to give value each time around something specific and focused. I listen to my client's questions and thats what I write about the next time. My blog is coming up soon and I look forward to connecting with even a larger group. So- yes- it is an excellent way to build trust.