Business Blogging Excellence

Unless you’ve been living under a rock and void of a computer with Internet capabilities, you’ve noticed the skyrocketing trend towards user created content.  Youtube, Myspace, Facebook, Blogspot, and Flicker have all been familiarized by Internet junkies across the world.

Why is this such a phenomenon?  Why does it work so well for marketing?  The reasons are simple, and powerful:

• It’s quick and easy - No programming skills required.  Just sign up for a site, log in, and if you can read, write, and follow instructions.  Your new content is then posted immediately.
• Power - The ability for people to reach millions in an instant and provide a message that can have a significant impact gives the user a sense of power they haven’t had before.  It can even give some a sense of importance.
• Freedom, flexibility, and creativity - Users have a medium to reach vast audiences where they can say and show whatever they want.  The freedom of expression can com from the form of writing, designing your Blog page, videos, pictures, and sharing them with others with no commitment to others.  It’s all on your time, and your message.
• Honesty and sincerity of the message - This is the big kicker for creating buzz. Users aren’t part of a marketing team.  They don’t get compensated for talking about products, or if they are, they are up front about it.  The message is a sincere one on their thoughts.  They are trusted because they are seen as peers.  It is the equivalent of a good friend telling you how great a new restaurant is.  The message isn’t from a salesman, it’s from a peer.  Blogging is a particularly powerful tool for this.

While traditional advertising still has its place, the public should not be ignored.  It has been made incredibly simple for them to voice their word, and it holds a strong persuasive value.  Companies are taking the hint, and have even created contests revolved around user participation.  What companies do you know are benefiting from user created content?