The first class is titled How to Blog effectively for Business by Ann Handley & Mack Collier of MarketingProfs and the assignment given was: “Write a blog post about three best practices that you will adopt into your blogging strategy.”

In answering this question, I’d like us to examine what a Blog is and why it is necessary for a Business or Brand to own a Blog.

Blog simply defined is a tool that allows you to quickly and easily create and publish new content. On Wikipedia it is defined as a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.

One great benefit of a Blog as against a Static site is the ability to allow readers leave feedback on that content, as well as react to feedback from other readers.

The World’s mostly used search engine – Google loves blog; and this can either be good or bad for your business. This in essence means that if you want people/customers to actually find you via the search engine, if you don’t have a blog where you regularly update/say something about your business/product, then what other bloggers are saying about you (whether good or bad)  which you have  no control over will appear first before the real you is found.

Yinka Olaito, a Brand Expert in Nigeria in his blog post on Why your Brand suffers without a Blog wrote:

In other words, it will be correct to say that blogging serves as a communication tool in crisis situations.

Three strategies which I consider as best practices to adopt for your Business/Brand’s Blog are:

• Blog Layout planning
• Commenting System
• Human Resources Issue

Blog Layout: A Blog layout refers to how your blog is positioned, i.e. how it is being viewed in the eyes of a visitor to the blog.

The basic components of a Blog layout are:

The Header, The Sidebar and The Blog Post Area.

A Blog Layout can be a two column layout (sidebar/post coulmn) or three coulmn layout (sidebar/post column/sidebar).

The Header sets the visual tone and has links to information for readers, enhancing proper branding.

Depending on the kind of layout choosen, the sidebar(s) should be properly organised so that readers can figure out what really is going on, on the blog. It should contain valuable information – as value leads to promotion.

Commenting System: One great advantage of a blog as against a static website again is the enablement to get readers feeback on your post or product in general. It is popularly known as Comment. Usually a Commenting system allows readers to input their names, email id and website(if they have one) before finally droping the comment.

How you handle readers feeback/comment on your blog is very important. One way that has been identified to retain readers to your blog is when you address them by their first names. It makes readers have a sense of belonging or feel more comfortable when they are  so addressed in your reply to their comment.  In other words, It is important to reply to each comment (whether criticisms or praises) droped by readers on your blog.

There are various commenting platform that have been introduced in blogging for maximun interaction between the blogger and reader some of which are Intense Debate, Disqus and Sezwho. (Read more on Commenting platforms here)

Human Resources is another important thing to be considered in blogging for business.

Are you blogging by yourself or employing someone to blog for you? Passion is something to be considered when blogging. Its usually the norm when a blog is being started with all enthusiasm but receives no comment/pageview, that the blogger tends to give up. This should not be the case, therefore a blogger must be one who is passionate about blogging and social media in general; the company/business being blogged about; writing and always happy to connect with customers/readers in order to help solve any issue that crops up.

The Video above provides more insights on why you should have a blog for your business.

If you’ve found this post useful or have any question, feel free to drop your comments.

Please do feel free to also share this post with your friends on facebook, twitter, buzz etc..

NB: The next post in this series would be “why a marketer would want to include SEO in his or her web marketing.“

Thanks for reading.

Year 2009 might not be ending for Nigeria on a great note, not with the President’s illness/absence from the Country, the prolonged fuel scarcity/hike in price, and recently the scary terrorism act by Nigerian born Mutallab. However, its has been a great year in the Nigerian Blogosphere.

I hereby present in no particular order/preference – my Bloggers of Note in year 2009:

BlackLooks – A blog by Sokari Ekine: a black feminist/activist who blogs on issues centred around gender violence, racism, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, Cancer and related subjects. This blog started around 2007 is still waxing strong and features post from other guest writers. It definitely made my 2009 and I wish her the very best in 2010.

Adesoji Adegbulu aka JesusFreak, combines as an Entrepreneur, Internet Marketer, Social Media Consultant and writes inspiring and life changing articles on his blog. He also dishes our entrepreneurship tips, social media news and motivational tips, you sure don’t want to miss his posts. Wishing him the very best of 2010.

Deolu Akinyemi is sort of an household name on the internet. He is a strong advocate for a New Nigeria and he gives out motivational and developmental tips for people and organizations. He is also a strict believer in people’s financial freedom and he provides tips on entrepreneurship skills as well. He is my kind of ProBlogger. Best Wishes in 2010 and beyond!

Nigerian Curiosity - If you are as curious as we all are about Nigeria, then Nigerian Curiosity by Solomon Sydelle is the blog to be. I call her ‘aunty mi’ because she inspires me a lot and I see her as one of Naija’s most consistent blogger. With her objective, incisive and straight on analysis of Nigerian socio-economic and political issues, you sure won’t want to leave her blog without leaving a comment. Great 2010 ahead Aunty mi.

In my Dreams, it was Simpler – is a blog by writer – Favoured Girl and 8 other writers. This story blog is a series that tells the story of LOLA, TITI, FUNMI, DOLAPO, MAUREEN, TEMMY, WOLE, DAYO and FOLAKE. The stories are well crafted and captivating that you wouldn’t want to miss a story. Thumbs up to the originators of this blog and I wish them success in the new year.

David Ajao – This brother is also in my class – a ProBlogger. He is a Nigerian Web Entrepreneur residing in Ghana and shares his views on various issues, such as Technology, Mobiles, Internet Entrepreneurship and general issues you will definitely love to read. He is also a photography enthusiast as you will find his shots appealing – I think he should start a Photo Blog (Wink). Great work on David Ajao’s Blog and I cannot but wish him a Glorious 2010.

Bella Naija by Uche Eze – started in 2006, is one of Naija’s foremost Entertainment blog. She recently rewarded her readers with her 25days of Christmas Contest. If you want the latest entertainment/celebrity gist, event reviews, fashion and lifestyle tips on the Naija scene, then Bella Naija is the blog to read. Best of ‘Gistspiration’ in 2010.

NaijaBlog by Jeremy Weate is as old as when I knew what blogging is about. He is an ‘Oyinbo’ Naija man who blogs on issues centering around Nigeria. He is also a lover of the arts. To Mr. Weate – keep up the good work and great year ahead!

Akin by Akin started way back December 2003 and has been waxing strong. Akin, a Nigerian living in Amsterdam, blogs on political, cultural and general issues from his point of view – all centering around Nigeria. He is also a lover of Wikipedia – as most of his definitions comes from there. Great 2010 ahead Sir!

Verastically Livin by Vera Ezimora – a ‘Yankee’ based blogger and radio talk show host is a mixed bag sort of blog, with great followership. From issues bothering on relationships, families, lifestyle, Nigerian Politics and all sorts, you will find Verastically Livin interesting. Wishing her the very best of 2010.

Timbuktu Chronicles by Emeka Okafor simply put is a great resource of information on entrepreneurship, technology and the scientific method as it impacts Africa. I enjoyed the informative articles this year and wish him another successful 2010.

Nigerian Entrepreneurs by Bro Tee is a great resource for Entrepreneurs and Small Business owners. His blogs dishes out Entrepreneurship tips, How To’s on making Money Online and Survival Tips for Small Business Owners. Bro Tee made my 2009 with his inspirational and motivational articles – I wish him the very best of 2010.

Ore’s note by Ore is another mixed bag of Blog. She blogs on just about anything, everything but I think with an interest in Technology and Feminism. Great work she did in 2009 and I wish her a great 2010 ahead.

PS: This post is just an opinion of the Administrator of NaijaWebGeek and it is void of bias and its without prejudice and its not meant to offend any Nigerian Blogger not mentioned here (including myself).

To the growth of Blogging in Nigeria .