Free VS Self Hosted Blogs for Business: What should you do?

The follow blog post is a response to Self Hosted Blogs for Business which is paraphrased in the quote below, taken directly from the site. Do you agree? Where is your business blog hosted? Please weigh-in with your thoughts in the comments!

WordPress.com and Blogger Blogs

WordPress.com and Blogger Blogs are hosted and essentially controlled by WordPress and Blogger web sites. They are free to use and very quick to set up, you can be Blogging in minutes. However, from a business perspective that is where the benefits end.

My response

Wow. While there are some very GOOD reasons for businesses to use self hosted blogs here, I strongly disagree with your this stand on using self vs free blogs for business.

Especially considering small to medium sized businesses, your very short list of benefits is not at all where the benefits end. There are many more good reasons for businesses to consider using free community blogs including: cost effectiveness (from so many areas), content testing, free SEO (yes SEO) and free relevant promotion within passionate blogging communities, just to name a few. Big or small, if you don’t need to serve ads and your primary reason for blogging is organic SEO, a free blog may be ideal. A self hosted blog may be overkill.

Design? Yes, self hosted blogs offer more and better options, but most business only need to be sharp, functional and professional looking with basic stats for tweaking content. With a little time and effort… and maybe a little help, coaching and finesse, you can absolutely achieve this via Worpress.com (for example). Your going to need a log more time and resources available to deal with a self hosted blog.

Stats? Yes, there is absolutely better information available on self hosted blogs but that doesn’t mean you need them or you’re going to use them. If you’re driving traffic to your website, in many cases the stats supplied by the free blog combined with your website stats, that are hopefully provided by Google Analytics or better, will suffice.

You CAN move to a self hosted blog later.

Choice between free and self hosted should be based on what’s appropriate for your strategy and not based on bells and whistles.

More often than not, bells and whistles just create more noise.

Thanks,
@richardbouchez

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Richard Bouchez is a certified Inbound Marketing professional specializing in Social Media Marketing & New Media content development. Richard’s web, audio & video work has been honored with Emmy, Promax & CBA awards.

DAILY SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING TIPS FOLLOW @INOVEDIA ON TWITTER!

How to: Make Facts and Figures Fascinating and Friendly! Web, Broadcast, Print, Powerpoint

Better ways to show off stats!

*updated 6/15/10 scroll all the way down for bonus links to infographics including 40 fantastic infographics!

Ok, you’re excited! You’ve done the research to turn up sales figures that will turn heads but what the heck are you going to do with a list of arbitrary numbers on a spreadsheet?!? How do you turn a dry static stat riddled excel sheet into a sea of emotional sizzle??? Well, if you haven’t met already, let me introduce you to the “Infographic” and it’s video partner.

Below you’ll find examples of entertaining, fascinating and powerful visuals that were surely, at one point, completely boring piles of facts & figures!

The INFOGRAPHIC VIDEO: This is a great example of how to shape research into a series of powerful examples everyone can relate.

The INFOGRAPHIC: Without a doubt the combination of rapid growth & the “measurement factor” of online advertising is driving the buzz surrounding social networking but, even still, there are few LESS interesting things than web stats! Here’s a great way to showcase figures that would be otherwise eye glazing. Click for a larger view.

Infographic Facebook: What You Probably Didn't Know

[Source: Online PhD Programs for MashableMashable.com]

Infographic The Tiger Woods Economy

 

Great infographic on match making

 

 

5 More Infographics

The Truth About Impulse Shopping [Infographic]

How Are Teens Using Their Cell Phones? [infographic]

The 20 Best Companies to Work for in 2010 [Infographic]

Everything You Need To Know About Twitter (Infographic)

The Facebook Story In An Infographic

Got great examples for ways to showcase stats in pics or videos? Love to see them! Please share in the comments!

Bonus “how to” link: The Anatomy of an Infographic: 5 Steps to creating a powerful visual

BONUS #2: @GuyKawasaki: 40 fantastic infographics http://is.gd/cPz2W

Good luck!

@richardbouchez

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• 7 Ways Linkedin.com will Improve Your Small Business
• 10 EASY Ways to Inject Twitter and Facebook into Everyday Business!
• Create your own edge! Build your own community!

Check out Social Media Profile Business Cards>>>

 

Richard Bouchez is a certified Inbound Marketing professional specializing in Social Media Marketing & New Media content development. Richard’s web, audio & video work has been honored with Emmy, Promax & CBA awards.

17 Kick @ Social Media Business Cards That’ll Show off Your TWEETS!

If your business is on Twitter and / or Facebook and you’re not handing out social media business cards you are missing a great opportunity!  Instead of cramming all the info on your traditional business cards, have a stylish but inexpensive set printed to draw special attention to your tweets, Facebook & Linkedin statuses.

Look for another post coming soon “KILLER CRAZY SILLY COOL SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE BIZ CARDS” for you to check! Please subscribe to InovediaMarketing.com via RSS or EMAIL.

So, here you go (cue first line of song “This is how we do it”) :

Profile / Note Card! AnalogTwtr yelbkinfo by twitterfunny>>>>

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Social Profile Business Card tf 2.0 Back logo by twitterfunny Add your logo & links on back>>>

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Dynasty Marketing Group Business Card by bethascoli>

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Reading Reward Minicard by happytwitt>

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Tweet Me (Your Twitter ID and Name) by tweetnothin>

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Grunge Textured ARt Skinny Website Business Card by Pip_Gerard>

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Twitter Tweet Blue Bird Customized Skinny Cards by Pip_Gerard

ADD YOUR http://www.Twitter.com/businessname on back>>>>>

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Follow Me by imagepromo

LIST OUT Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Linkedin.com, etc. on back>>

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Twitter Specials 1 CUSTOMIZE IT! blk 1sd dashes by twitterfunny>

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Tweet Me Business Card by mberggr>

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Business Card SEO Marketing Consultant by Create_Business_Card>

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Twitter Me Website Address Business Skinny Card by Pip_Gerard>

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Follow Me! Twitter/Facebook/MySpace party by AliciaHollinger>

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Cute Twitter business cards by uniquebusinesscards>

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ru following me? Double sided skinny grn by twitterfunny

Choose your own background color & add your twitter on back!>>>

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Social Profile Business Card tfl 2.0 Wer@bl tflbak by twitterfunny Add Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin links on back>

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Social Profile Business Card tfl 2.0 vertblank bak by twitterfunny>

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WTF is Twtr Chinese Profile Biz Card RED by twitterfunny>>>

 

Please subscribe to our blog via RSS or email!

Hope you got some great ideas! Feel free to add to this list in the comments!

@richardbouchez

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• Blogs to Facebook, Where Your Biz Should Be and How to Start
• 7 Ways Linkedin.com will Improve Your Small Business
• 10 EASY Ways to Inject Twitter and Facebook into Everyday Business!
• Create your own edge! Build your own community!

Click image to add your Twitter name!

GET KILLER CUSTOM TWITTER BACKGROUNDS!

Richard Bouchez is a certified Inbound Marketing professional specializing in Social Media Marketing & New Media content development. Richard’s web, audio & video work has been honored with Emmy, Promax & CBA awards.

 

How can we help you?

Inovedia Marketing provides the following services, how can we help you?

Social Media Marketing

• We provide training, monitoring, blogging & copy writing services which means we can just get you started or manage and build your social networking efforts!

Multimedia Production

• Let us create your web videos! We have Emmy award winning talent and the know how to create high quality videos & podcasts on a budget. For bigger projects, our access and established relationships with full service facilities means the sky is the limit!

Web Design & New Media Development

• Put the web to work for you! From tweaks to complete redesigns, we’ll transform your website into an engaging resource your ideal customers will frequent! Ask how we can deliver highly target-able audiences to your door through new media product development! We can extend your brand, drive traffic and multiply your reach!

General Creative Services

• Copy-writing, design services, online and traditional marketing campaign development, contest creation & management. Ad creation including banner ads, print, radio, television, newspaper and direct mail.

Email: InovediaMarketing at gmail dot com

Twitter: @inovedia

 

Richard Bouchez is a certified Inbound Marketing professional specializing in Social Media Marketing & New Media content development. Richard’s web, audio & video work has been honored with Emmy, Promax & CBA awards.

Direction & Registration Link: Chicago Small Business Expo July 17th

*Reposted from Chicago City Treasurer.com

Friday, July 17, 2009

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Register Now

UIC Forum

725 West Roosevelt Road (directions)

Entrance on Roosevelt and Union Street

UIC Parking Map (417 KB)

Parking Voucher (52 KB)

Attendees – ample parking is located two blocks west of the UIC Forum at 1135 S. Morgan St. Lot 5. – at a discounted price of $6.75. The discount is for Lot 5 only.

For additional information, call (312) 744-EXPO (3976)

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*Information from:

Office of the City Treasurer

Stephanie Neely Treasurer Contact: Public Affairs

July 02, 2008 (312) 744-8122

**InovediaMarketing.com is proud to be an ambassador for the 2009 City of Chicago Small Business Expo. Follow @inovedia on Twitter for updates and information!

Please add us to your RSS reader here. >>click here for a tutorial on using RSS.

You may also be interested in these InovediaMarketing.com articles:

• What would they write about you?
• Create Amazing Mind Blowing Business Cards NOW!
• Great Video Tips for Builders & You
• Create the “Where the Hell Did You Get That Idea” Ad

Sign up for speedy entry! Chicago Small Biz Expo Friday!

Big day for small business may be largest ever in 2009

Record business plan submissions – Record Pre-Registration

The Expo runs from 8:30am -3:30pm, and provides a full day of FREE workshops with business experts, over 100 small business oriented exhibitor booths- and networking with thousands of attendees interesting in building their small business.

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Please mention InovediaMarketing.com!

*Information from:

Office of the City Treasurer

Stephanie Neely Treasurer Contact: Public Affairs

July 02, 2008 (312) 744-8122

**InovediaMarketing.com is proud to be an ambassador for the 2009 City of Chicago Small Business Expo. Follow @inovedia on Twitter for updates and information!

Please add us to your RSS reader here. >>click here for a tutorial on using RSS.

You may also be interested in these InovediaMarketing.com articles:

• Just “HOW TO” Examples You Can Do Too! (More Than Video)
• Cheap & Easy Web Video You Can Do Too!
• Make Your Small Biz Homepage Engage!
• Blogs to Facebook, Where Your Biz Should Be and How to Start

Be an Ambassador! Chicago Small Business Expo

SMALL BUSINESS EXPO FRIDAY, JULY 17th – Be an Expo Ambassador

*Register now for Friday’s Small Business Expo!

Chicago City Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely is proud to announce the launch of the 2009 Small Business Expo Ambassador Program. Latest research being used by the Flashpoint Academy of Chicago indicates the in this world of social media – 55% of people get their news from their friends and family!

In the spirit of a new generation of communication –

EXPO AMBASSADORS ARE – Those groups helping communicate our message about the Free Small Business Expo on Friday, July 17^th at the UIC Forum to their networks of 250 or more. These links will remain listed through the EXPO.

Any group getting 25 mentions or more will be listed on the EXPO AMBASSADOR Page of the City Treasurers Website – throughout 2009

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE AN EXPO AMBASSDOR EMAIL businessplans@cityofchicago.org

www.chicagocitytreasurer.com

1. Steve Bernas – President and the team – Better Business Bureau Chicago and Northern Illinois www.bbb.org
2. Richard Bouchez – CEO- www.InovediaMarketing.com
3. Rosemary Reeves – CEO – www.womeneye.com

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*Information from:

Office of the City Treasurer

Stephanie Neely Treasurer Contact: Public Affairs

July 02, 2008 (312) 744-8122

**InovediaMarketing.com is proud to be an ambassador for the 2009 City of Chicago Small Business Expo. Follow @inovedia on Twitter for updates and information!

Please add us to your RSS reader here. >>click here for a tutorial on using RSS.

You may also be interested in these InovediaMarketing.com articles:

• 7 Ways Linkedin.com will Improve Your Small Business
• Video Tips: “How to” and Demonstrational Videos
• 6 Random Rules for Owning a Website
• “New Marketing” Tips 1- 6

Announcing “One Hour Mentor” forum: Chicago Small Business Expo

If you would like to be in the 10am “One Hour Mentor” forum at the Expo with top Chicago Business Leaders – send “ONE HOUR MENTOR” in the subject line to businessplans@cityofchicago.org (space is highly limited)

Information from:

Office of the City Treasurer

Stephanie Neely Treasurer Contact: Public Affairs

July 02, 2008 (312) 744-8122

*InovediaMarketing.com is proud to support the 2009 Chicago City Treasurer’s Free Small Business Expo. Follow @inovedia on Twitter for updates and information!