Using blogs to attract new customers
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http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=16043
With traditional online marketing tools becoming more expensive, retailers are turning to alternative techniques, such as blogs, podcasts and RSS feeds. That?s the case at online jewelry retailer Ice.com, which is using blogs to draw in new customers.
To be successful, a blog must have content that is applicable and time sensitive, says Pinny Gniwisch, executive vice president of marketing. For Ice.com, that means creating content that links its jewelry to events in the fashion world, he says.
Gniwisch, a speaker at next week?s Shop.org conference, will be one of three panelists presenting case studies in a session entitled ?Alternative Marketing Case Study: What Happened When Etailers Dove into Blogs, Podcasting and RSS? at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Ice.com has found success by posting on its blog, sparklelikethestars.com, affordable jewelry similar to that worn by celebrities on the red carpet at such events as awards ceremonies and movie openings, Gniwisch says. A recent posting featured commentary and gossip about actresses Hilary Duff, Angelina Jolie, Kate Hudson and others.
?The interesting thing is the people we?ve gotten from this content are people who we haven?t had on our site before,? Gniwisch says. ?These are totally new customers that have typed in or connected to us from other blogs that we wouldn?t have reached through regular Ice.com advertising.?
Ice.com also operates two other blogs?blog.ice.com and JustAskLeslie.com.
Other scheduled speakers are Seth Greenberg, CEO of eHobbies, and Steve Spangler of SteveSpanglerScience.com.