How Can A Blog Be Good For My Business?
07.17.09
Image by anna moreno
To Blog or Not To Blog
Today’s blog post is from a guest blogger:
Lynette Chandler of Tech Based Marketing
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When you start a business offline or on, it’s only a matter of time when people start telling you that you should start a blog. Sadly, that’s where most stop and leave you wondering why? How is it good for your business especially when the business is not online based or when you offer a service and don’t think you have a ‘product’, for example, a belly dancer who dances at private parties and events.
Let’s look at some of the basic ways your blog could bring in more interest/inquiries/bookings and orders.
It Demonstrates Your Work or Expertise
It is OK to have a video or picture or two on static pages to show people what you can do for them when they hire you, but surely that video is only a very small taste. Some jobs are common and some more unique that most people don’t see. Show them off on your blog. The belly dancer can put up videos (with permission) of creative choreography at an event where the client had a unique request.
It Can Show Them How You Can Solve Their Problems
You know the saying, people don’t buy products (or services) they buy solutions. You can definitely explain this on a static web page but when you blog about how you help prior or current clients, it becomes real and a whole lot more believable.
It Is Proof That You Are Practicing Your Craft
If you are already serving clients, the posts you make about your tasks and how you solved a problem for them is great testimonial to the fact that people do trust you to or your product to do what you say you will do. This would be made better if your client would contribute a post or even let you quote them on your blog.
It Lets People Get To Know You And Vice Versa
Especially for services, people want to work with those whom they can get along with. Since a blog is interactive and each post is an open mini-discussion, it lets people experience you or the company.
It Helps Bring In Traffic
When you publish good, relevant content and promote it, others will take note and share it either on their own blogs or on social networks or even email it to their subscriber list as a reliable resource.
It Can Cut Down On Repetitive Questions
In every business, there are certain questions that people ask over and over. When you answer it on your blog, you are helping potential customers, planting the seed of trust, adding fresh content to your site that search engines and people love. At the same time, you are reducing some of your work, without having to reply repetitive emails.
Blogging can be a very beneficial and a rewarding experience. Unfortunately, the process of starting one can be a killjoy, especially if you are brand new to web publishing or consider yourself needing a little help in the technical department. You can always hire someone. But if you’re the DIY type, remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Resources like the Blogging Starter Pack is like a step-by-step tutor to help you get the blog up and running without all the confusing tech speak.
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I hope you enjoyed the article about blogging! Let me know in the comment section below if you have any other questions about whether blogging is a good idea or not!
Deidre Hughey
Other posts about blogging:
Social Media Quick Tip – WordPress
Speakers & Authors: Get Attention Before You Need It!
Question About Blog Location
I started my blog as a personal lark, a place where I could write about what has meaning to me in life. Much of my other writing is specifically based on the Intimacy Retreats I lead with my husband and on marketing my book. I’d seen many blogs get started and then abandoned, so I didn’t want to commit to it as a business project, with all the pressure that might have brought with it.
At this point, some months into it, I still enjoy it and although I post articles at other locations, my blog gives me the freedom to take a moment and just chirp about whatever I want to!
Never used that word before, “chirp.” Probably came out because I also use Twitter now. Cyberspace has definitely entered my life.
Hmm.. “chirping.” I like that word. Maybe leaving blog comments should be called “chirping”?
http://www.DianaDaffner.com
One of the main reasons that I blog for my business is that it helps me pay attention and focus. I blog weekly and keeping that schedule has created a kind of mindfulness about what is important to my clients that I truly enjoy.
Thanks, Lynette and Deidre. I enjoyed this post.