Many of you already have a blog and understand how important it is for gaining visibility for your business. But I know many others are still resistant to it.
You think it takes too much time and effort, you don’t feel you are a good enough writer, you’re not sure how to set one up, you don’t have a clue what to write about….I get all of the reasons that might be holding you back.
If you already have a traditional, “brochure” style website for your business, then great. Keep it as a place for prospects to visit and find out more about what you offer. I use my blog as my main site, and don’t have a separate, static website. It’s a personal choice. Many people have both, with the blog being linked to from the main site.
Don’t have a blog? There are several important reasons why you should:
Visibility
If you are doing even just some of your business using the web then obviously you need an online presence. Having a blog that you post to regularly is a wonderful way to capture and keep the attention of potential clients and customers. When they see that you are writing consistent content, they are more likely to return.
Community Building
Having comments on your posts encourages feedback and promotes conversation. It can help you to find out what your target market wants from you. This feedback can even help you come up with ideas for future posts.
Positions You as the Expert
Once you begin posting useful content regularly and attracting readers, you become seen as a thought leader in your niche. This leads to more relationships, business and opportunities. It’s one of the best ways to communicate the value of your offerings to prospective clients and customers.
Search Engine Optimization
This doesn’t mean you need to become an SEO guru. But blogs by their very nature are dynamic. In the eyes of Google, this is a very good thing. They want their users to get updated information. A blog can help get your business ranked well in the search engines.
Personality Sharing
Blogging gives you a chance to be seen as a real person behind the business. Don’t be afraid to express opinions and share things about yourself. This will go a long way towards humanizing you in others eyes.
The best thing about blogging is how easy and quick it is to send out a post at the push of a button. It’s also great to be able to track exactly who is coming to your site and from where. Use Google’s free Analytics tool and you can see detailed statistics on your traffic and visitors.
Just get it going. Try to set a goal of one post a week. They don’t have to be long and they don’t have to be earth-shattering. Just like anything, you’ll get better at writing the more you do it. Jot down any ideas for posts as as they come to you. I keep a file of ideas and find this helpful to refer to if I get stuck for what to write.
Just as you would any other marketing activity, blogging should be something you carve out time for. Really feel you would have nothing to say to people who may want to hire or buy from you? Maybe it is just not for you. But I encourage all small business owners who are doing business online to give it a shot. Who knows, maybe there are people out there just waiting to hear your voice.
What about you? Would you agree that blogging has become one of those must-dos for biz owners? Do you have any tips for those who are still feeling intimidated? Please do share.
Photo Credit: Annie Mole
I’m a big advocate of branding yourself an expert in a field. There are so many consultants that aren’t blogging or tweeting yet. They are missing the money train if they keep using the same “old school” methods.
My brand as a consultant has grown in only a year of blogging. I expect my work to triple this year. It’s worth the time and effort, but only if you believe. If you don’t believe people will feel this and not be drawn to your business.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now’s last blog post..Professional Growth the Google Way
@Karl–It does surprise me when consultants don’t utilize blogging. Your growth and success are perfect examples of its power.
And your point about believing is so key. It’s the one of the biggest differences between those who persevere through the tough times and those who give up.
Fantastic points, Christine.
I love this part particularly: “Blogging gives you a chance to be seen as a real person behind the business. Don’t be afraid to express opinions and share things about yourself. This will go a long way towards humanizing you in others eyes.”
So true! Seeing the real person behind a business helps me connect with them and builds trust. Without jumping into sharing through a blog or social media it can be difficult to engage people online long enough to build that trust.
My tips for people who aren’t sure about it – you don’t have to start with tackling controversial topics, or even worry about being “brilliant” – just start with something. Try offering answers to frequently asked questions you get (think “Dear Abby…”), post news, etc. Once you get used to just sharing something it gets easier. Watch a few good blogs (like Christine’s) and see how they go about blogging to pick up tips.
.-= Michelle Shaeffer´s last blog ..Small Business Lessons from a Mosquito =-.
Christine,
What do you recommend to get people to leave comments? Lots may read, but don’t leave the love!
Amy