Starting a business blog is not a difficult process. As a business you have something to say, so share it! Capture the opportunity that you have by blogging. Blogs are also inexpensive. Start a free blog with a service such as WordPress. Once your have gained some exposure and feel the need to expand, your free service will give you options of several different packages to purchase. 

So what are the BIG positives for your business? Well, I have expanded on them below, but quickly: potential sales, potential work, communicating, and networking.

Communications and networking. Like I said earlier, you own a business, so you have something to share. Blogs are a great tool to talk about your industry by discussing new techniques in your field or giving your opinions on industry standard. With your first post, you have opened yourself up to a vast group of new people. Others in your field will be drawn into discussions with you - sharing, offering advice, and giving you feedback.

One you have opened up the lines of communication, you have started networking. Reaching partners and possible expansion financing.

Potential customers or clients. As your business opens up to your industry, you have also opened up to potential new customers and clients. With your blog you have become global. Now your blog has become an effective advertising tool. Promote new products and services by one simple post. Talk about what is happening within your company. Share how your company supports the community. Knowing something a bit more personal about your company will help a new customer or client say “Yes” to your business.

Do you have some suggestions for starting a business blog? Leave a comment or let us know!

This is an original The Office Gal post.

Advertising can cost large sums when you want to spread the word, sums of money that small businesses can’t afford. No worries. Not every company has to have thousand dollar commercials to draw in lucrative clients. Thinking small can give you big rewards.

Pens. Pens are used everyday by everyone. Making lists, jotting notes, and signing receipts. You can reach a huge sum of potential by strategically placing pens where they are needed most.

Magnets. Magnets are used to hold precious works of art from the youngsters. Everyone can use an extra few and your magnet is always in front of people. Offices will use them on filing cabinets too. Always in the open.

Here are a few places to strategically locate your advertising:

• Servers at restaurants
• Doctor offices
• Check-out lines
• Goodie bags for school
• Fitness center central locations
• Neighborhood newsletters

I have even seen businesses add pens and magnets to kids Halloween containers!

Car signs. Signs placed on your car can grab the attention of people from everywhere. Tons of businesses use this tool - services for cleaning, realtors, even child care facilities. In today’s digital world, with one snap of a camera phone, viola, a new customer might have pulled up right next to you.

Regardless of which route you take, make sure to always include the pertinent information when space is available. Some items might not be able to have everything included, but you should always include your name, phone number, and a quick tidbit like “Best Window Cleaners.” As you get more space include a web address and street address or more information about your business.

Good luck with all of your future advertising! Before you go, check out these online locations for inexpensive pens and magnets!

Vista Print

Four Color Magnets

National Pen

Do you have a low-cost advertising suggestion? Please let us know or leave a comment.

This is an original The Office Gal post.

The blogging world has tremendous amounts of options sprouting daily for bloggers of all levels to showcase their talent and reap the rewards with social networking. You post on mine, if I post on yours. Basically, that is exactly how it works, from new additions like Sk-rt, Mom Blog Network, and Cre8buzz, these communities allow you to read an article or blog and then give you the opportunity to vote for those you like - post, blog, or both.

Want to know another great way for bloggers to network? A blog party! That is exactly what 5 Minutes for Mom is offering to other bloggers, a blog party that could potentially lead thousands of readers to your blog, flourishing you with comments and feedback. Then all you need to do is return the favor.

The concept behind the blog party is for bloggers to create a post on their blog showcasing the person they truly are. Add poems, pictures, funny stories, jokes - well, you get the idea - spruce up your place. Then for one week, bloggers will travel the list of those bloggers that have joined, reviewing their blog, reading their posts, and making comments. Then the following week, you post on your blog about your experience and share some of your favorite blogs, linking back to them. Viola!

This opportunity is a fun approach to meeting others in the blogging world. Not only might you find some loyal readers of your blog, but you could make life-long friends as well. Stop by 5 Minutes for Mom and review the instructions for the 2008 Ultimate Blog party. This party is just not for moms, but it is only for women - sorry guys.

Take a peek at other ways to network.

Those Seeking Networking

Corporate professionals seek networking to establish clients, create business resources to get answers to difficult questions, or many use their networking pool to get up the ladder. Asking for a reference or recommendation is not uncommon within a close network of associates.

Working at home may be your dream come true, but although you still have the tools to keep you in the loop, like e-mail, instant messaging, and the phone, you might miss the contact of having someone physically in the office with you. Now, although not alone, you could feel lonely. Your network could give you today’s lunch partner.

Have you chosen to stay at home? You still work, maybe not out in the corporate world or for a company within your home, but you still manage a household and family, your networking is most important. Reaching out for comradery is a strong emotion in us all. It helps to have friends to either have play dates with, lunch, or to just vent.

The Networks

There are a ton of places popping up on the Internet that offer social and business networking. Many sites ask you to sign up, create a profile, and then you have the World Wide Web at your fingertips. Here are a few suggestions of on-line networking spots to take a look at.

Linked In: For both the corporate and work-at-home professional, LinkedIn is a complete networking community with millions of potential clients, partners, and friends. You can add people to your network that are current or past colleagues, those you have offered a service to, and even find people within the same company or position/title that you hold in other companies. Growth for your network is phenomenal. There is even an option to ask those in your network for a recommendation.

Cafe Mom: The perfect place for stay-at-home-moms to create a profile and meet other moms, both around the world and locally right in your backyard. Make play date appointments, meet just for lunch, join interest groups, you name it! This is a great social networking site. Sorry dads - for moms only.

Dad Daily: Dads, you have a site just for you! This is a new social networking site for you to create a profile page and meet other dads to talk and discuss life. Create a group or just discuss the latest about what your little one is doing - al up to you! Finally a place where no moms are allowed.