In today's post, I'm posting an interview with team leader, Lynette Chandler from BlogEnergizer. Recently, my good friends at BlogEnergizer have offered to write an exclusive interview for my readers and followers. so here's the interview with Lynette, and I hope you'll find lots of good information in it.

By the way, don't forget to vote for me over at BlogEnergizer...the interview with the most votes will win some cool prizes.

Question 1: Would you recommend blogging to local businesses?

Yes. Perhaps not in the fast and furious pace like a regular blog, but using a blog as a tool to easily manage their sites and to keep customers and potential customers informed.

Question 2: Why do you think local businesses should use blogging as a marketing tool?

Because it is a low cost promotional tool. It doesn't cost that much to get started and it can last for a long time too if kept up. I also think it it is a great way to begin the relationship building process.

Question 3: How they can profit from promoting their blog to their local visitors?

The obvious ways are to use the blog to let people know of new projects they are working, news, updates, deals, specials.

But beyond that, it can be used for customer service when you provide expert advise, tips, ideas, notification of closings, wait time or appointment schedule. People are more comfortable with a business they feel they know. This is what I meant before when talking about beginning to build the relationship.

Here's a great example. I need to order a floral bouquet. New pictures of what they have done for their customers recently, what to expect when I go to their store and ideas or tips what to say in the card and keep the flowers fresh go a long way. At least if would help me get comfortable with them.

Question 4: Is blogging a must have strategy to any local business or is it more suitable for certain niches then others?

I think any business can benefit. A butcher can give tips how to best cook beef tips, A nail salon can show pictures of their work a pleased customer, A garage can provide seasonal maintenance tips, A nursery can talk about what to do with plants over the winter and landscaping project using their products during spring/summer, A photographer can provide information on the do's and don'ts when coming in for a photo shoot. I think you get the idea here.

They don't have to be updated daily or even weekly like what you'd expect a regular blog. Customers know these businesses are busy helping and serving their customers but I think it helps the customers out to see something current. Something new for the month.

Question 5: We all know that business owners are very busy people...so is it better for them to outsource the blogging strategy all together?

I would. But I would also want to occasionally put up something in my own voice on it. It could be a video update just to keep it personable and real. But you'd have to find a good company who can come up with updates that reflect your businesses culture and perhaps more importantly know the ropes of blogging because there are sometimes nuances to blogging. It is not enough to just put up a post. When people react to the post via comments and recommendations, whoever is managing the blog will need to know how respond.

If you found this interview helpful, let us and Amel know by voting for her HERE