If there’s one thing I enjoy almost as much as blogging, it’s demystifying blogging to those who don’t quite understand – yet – the power of this self-publishing platform, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to announce that I’ll be moderating a panel discussion next month on “The Pros – and Pitfalls – of Blogging” for the New England Direct Marketing Association (NEDMA).
This discussion will take place at the association’s monthly dinner meeting (which begins at 5:30 PM with a networking reception) on Thursday, January 19, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Waltham, MA.
Direct marketers should appreciate as much as any other communications professionals the importance of having an open, honest dialogue with their customers and prospects. There are many ways to carry on such a conversation, of course, but blogging is one of the newest.
A blog is a humanizing, engaging, social software tool with an incredibly high, built-in trust factor.
A blog involves its audience by providing the opportunity to respond almost instantly to any and all news, information and promotional messages.
A blog allows its author(s) to draw out invaluable feedback and establish potentially long-lasting, mutually-beneficial relationships with those who believe in his or her “brand,” increasing the potential for more successful business initiatives.
At this event, we’ll talk about the pros – and pitfalls – of blogging as well as how quickly, easily and inexpensively direct marketers can gain entry into the blogosphere.
As moderator, I already have plenty of questions ready to pose to an illustrious panel of experienced blogging experts. Such as…
What skill set does an organization need to have in-house in order to publish a blog?
What are the biggest reasons to – or not to – blog?
How can an agency provide blogging services to its clients?
How can a blog be used to sell products and services?
How can a blog help an organization with its search engine optimization strategy?
How will blogs be used in the future?
And so on and so forth.
Those whom will be taking my – and the audience’s – questions (in other words, the members of the panel) are as follows:
Stephen Turcotte, President and Founder of Backbone Media
Julie Woods, Vice President of Product Strategy at Cymfony
Ted Demopoulos, Principal of Demopoulos Associates
Steve Ustaris, Associate Media Director at Carat Fusion
To register to attend “The Pros — and Pitfalls — of Blogging,” visit the New England Direct Marketing Association’s Web site at www.nedma.com
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Hi Bob, I love the questions that you have for us. Each one is a book in and of itself. I’m looking forward to being part of your NEDMA panel. I think it’s going to be a fun discussion between the audience and this direct marking group. Hopefully we can help with the demystification.
Over the next week or two I’m going to try and address many of your questions on our seoblog.backbonemedia.com Love to hear what you think of the answers. Stephen
Thanks, Stephen. I, too, am looking forward to our panel discussion at the January 19 NEDMA dinner meeting. And, by the way, when all is said and done, perhaps we can work on that book together! I’m certainly up for it!