7 compelling reasons to have a blog for your business
1. Pyjamas
Unlike traditional networking, you can blog in your pyjamas or joggers like I am right now…no one will be any the wiser…
2. It’s FREE marketing
As a business owner/parent/socialite, you likely already have many plates spinning. Blogging is worthy of your precious time, even with a busy life, because it’s FREE marketing!
Your blog posts will be like gold dust for social media and all-important newsletters. You’ll be building brand awareness as you go, and drawing people to your website. Plus you’ll get a little rush of happy every time a reader comments on or shares your work!
3. Blogging builds trust
A blog will enable you to create a personal connection with your audience and peers. People are looking for the personality behind the brand, so offer a voice that builds their confidence in you and encourages interaction. Be approachable and helpful – confidence in you and your brand gives people more reason to take you up on what you sell.
4. It’s search engine fuel
Stagnant websites aren’t looked upon favourably by search engines like Google. Search engines are consistently looking for new, relevant content. A blog is exactly what you need to keep your website fresh and inviting, and improve your rankings.
Unlike traditional networking, you can blog in your pyjamas or joggers like I am right now…no one will be any the wiser…
5. It’s brain food
Having a blog will compel you to research and stay up to date with market trends, ideas, studies, industry buzz, and other relevant topics. Topping up your knowledge and expertise is not the only benefit – learning new things can help invigorate your enthusiasm for what you do.
My blog post research has even led to us making significant changes to my own website content and the structure of my blog posts. When I first started blogging, writing posts filled me with dread. Now I see it as an opportunity for continuous learning and improvement.
6. You’ll discover skills you never knew you had
By now you may have asked yourself: “don’t I need to be a good writer to start a blog?”. The reality is that like anything else, you may find it difficult at first, but it gets easier the more you do it.
I’m still working at it – there is always more to learn, more ways of getting your point across effectively. Getting those first words on the page is hard, but once you get going, there’ll be no stopping you!
Blogging will also teach you to edit, edit, edit and refine. Unless you’re writing scientific articles, keep it simple so everyone can understand what you’re saying!
7. Anywhere’s your office
You can blog whenever and wherever inspiration strikes: on the train, in the park, a pub garden, in bed…even if it’s just a few ideas scribbled in a notebook (if you’re analogue like me)!
Make the most of your particularly creative/productive periods. Write a few posts at once, store them up and publish them on a planned schedule. That way you won’t be forcing yourself to release a post you’re not entirely happy with just to meet a deadline.
A final thought…
Having a blog is a big commitment. It requires passion and dedication, but it can be a real boon for your business. Release frequent, timetabled posts to generate interest, maintain a loyal following and boost/sustain your search engine rankings.
Have I have succeeded in convincing you that a blog can be good for business? If you’re still not sure if it’s for you, what reservations do you have?