If you own a business and don't already have a blog, you're letting all sorts of exciting opportunities pass you by. Blogging for your business is one of the most effective ways to improve its online visibility. Without a blog, standing out and demonstrating that your company is awesome isn't easy. If the idea of starting and maintaining a blog overwhelms you, think of it this way: It's a way to have conversations with people who are interested in your products and services. A blog allows you to connect in a meaningful way with the people who visit your site, and that's truly priceless.
You may not be enthusiastic about the idea of blogging for business. That's okay; you're not alone. Business owners often shudder at the idea. The main problem is they aren't aware of the exciting benefits that go along with it. Blogging for business is never pointless. With every blog you post, the net you cast gets wider, and the interest you generate becomes more pronounced. Before too long, your business site is enjoying significantly more exposure, and the right people are finding their way to it.
A few of the top reasons to start a business blog include:
1. Your Business Site is More Attractive With a Blog
A blog will make your business site more attractive to the major search engines. Whether your blog is hosted on your actual business site or elsewhere (note: we recommend you host it on your site), every post will include keywords that will boost the ranking of your website. People who search for those keywords will be more likely to find your site. What's even better is that they're more likely to take action because they're interested in the first place.
2. Share Your Expertise With The World
Who understands your business better than you? If you've been able to start a successful small business, you clearly know a lot about the industry too. A blog lets you share your expertise with the world and establish yourself as an authority. It may not happen immediately, but people will come to know you as someone who's a trusted source of information. That reputation will serve your business well.
3. Interaction With Your Audience
If the idea of allowing comments on your blog makes you nervous, relax. The benefits of doing so far outweigh the potential drawbacks. An active comments section can turn into an actual community. You'll be able to interact with the people who visit your blog and forge important new connections. You may even be able to learn a new thing or two about your industry. This new information will enhance your understanding and allow you to improve your business.
4. Smart Promotion of Your Business
As long as your blog is genuine and relates to the nature of your business, your target audience will be drawn to it. A blog can be used to subtly promote your business, which makes it much more appealing than a generic business site that's crammed with aggressive marketing messages. Instead of feeling pressured to make a purchase or take some other action, a visitor will be able to learn something new. In many cases, he will then proceed to become a customer.
5. Useful Online Connections in Your Industry
Business success often depends a lot on the kinds of connections you have. Finding useful connections online can feel like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. As your blog picks up steam and is linked to on social networks and elsewhere, it will come to the attention of important people in your industry. You're sure to be amazed at the conversations that are kick-started because of your humble blog, but it happens all the time.
The most difficult part of blogging for your business is getting started. Once you make the first few posts, you'll find that it's actually fun and easy. The most difficult thing about blogging is knowing what to write. As an expert in your industry, that shouldn't be difficult for you to do at all. Just think about the kinds of topics that interest you and share your thoughts about them with the world.
It's important to remember that the content of your blog can and should be a lot more casual than what's written on your actual business site. New posts are made all the time, so it's not like they are sitting permanently in one place. This is your chance to relax and write about things about which you are vastly knowledgeable.
If you already have someone who designed your website, find out if a blog can be added. It's also fine to write a blog that's posted elsewhere on the Internet. Blog platforms tend to be very simple, so you shouldn't have to spend too much time learning how to do it. However, we recommend you have your blog connected to your main site or as a subdomain of your site. This will put your main business site up in the search rankings.
The best piece of advice there is about blogging for business is simple: Don't over-think it. You'll get a lot more traction with a genuine, thoughtful blog than one that has been edited to death and stripped of all personality. Don't be afraid to let a little humour slip through every now and then too. These steps will help you connect with your visitors in new and beneficial ways. Soon enough, your blog will be a major asset to your business.