Basic Blogging
A blog, short for a Web log, is a useful tool for communicating with current and potential customers or clients. It is, when done well, a two-way conversation where you can gather information, share news and resources and engage your community with your business. It also drives traffic to your Web site so people can learn more about you and your business. Blogging does not need to be intimidating and there are a variety of ways to stay active without spending too much time.
A blog, short for a Web log, is a useful tool for communicating with current and potential customers or clients. It is, when done well, a two-way conversation where you can gather information, share news and resources and engage your community with your business. It also drives traffic to your Web site so people can learn more about you and your business. Blogging does not need to be intimidating and there are a variety of ways to stay active without spending too much time.
Assuming your business has a Web site, your Web hosting company or webmaster can add a blog on fairly easy. Because there are so many hosting sites and Web software, we can't do step-by-step instructions for each of them. If, by chance, you do not have a Web site yet or you cannot add a blog to it, there are blog sites online that offer free blogging with a lot of easy-to-use features. Try Typepad, Blogger or Wordpress. Just being with a basic template and follow some of our suggestions on what to add.
You should add a blog post no less than once per week and as often as daily. Posts can range from 200-600 words and should be written on a variety of topics based on your industry and customers' needs. Continually ask yourself "what might my customer want or need to know about my business and this industry"? If you own a dry cleaning business, sharing tips on fabric care, stain treatment and tailoring or alterations could be topic categories. If you own a restaurant, new menu items, wine recommendations and reviews and social events would be helpful. Whatever you do, be patient. It will take some time for your blog to gather steam and a following.
Linking to other sites within your blog posts is important. As a mechanic, you might link to major automotive sites. As a computer repair person, perhaps office supplies or computer manufacturers. This is important because every time someone does a search of an automotive company or computer company you have mentioned and linked to, the odds increase that your post will come up in the search. This increases traffic to your Web site and exposes more people to what you do.
Interact with readers. Ask questions in the blog like "how have you handled this?" or "what are your concerns about that?". This prompts them to engage in the discussion or comments section and helps push your statistics up as well as increase your Web traffic.
Do add a "blogroll" to your site. A blog roll is a list of other blogs you read. Reward others, even within your industry, who you enjoy reading. This builds relationships and goodwill, which may pay off later on. If you use a particular vendor that you are happy with, link to their site in your blog roll. You can also start a We Recommend list for others you respect and who have served you well.
There are many ways to add images and video to your blog at little or no cost. Using graphics makes your blog more appealing and dynamic. Do an online search for free-images and you will be taken to various sites that offer a huge variety of images. You can also do searches for video, most of which will give you the easy-to-use HTML code to copy and paste into your blog. Use images and videos that make sense to the post and drive the message home.
Some of you simply lack confidence in your writing or you don't have the time. Don't fret over this. You can easily find your choice of professional writers to blog for you. Posts range from $5-15 each or less, especially if you purchase via a monthly package. Your "problogger" can not only handle the actually writing, but will usually be able to add images, video and field comments for you. Just be patient as your writer learns your "voice" and how you would deliver information.
Blogging is a must if you are trying to get your name "out there". It can help get you noticed by improving traffic, helps you build relationships with others in your field and customers and also establishes you as an expert. Additionally, you provide a legitimate service to your readers. Blogging, which can be fun and easy, is an additional marketing tool you can add to your toolbox.
A blog, short for a Web log, is a useful tool for communicating with current and potential customers or clients. It is, when done well, a two-way conversation where you can gather information, share news and resources and engage your community with your business. It also drives traffic to your Web site so people can learn more about you and your business. Blogging does not need to be intimidating and there are a variety of ways to stay active without spending too much time.
Assuming your business has a Web site, your Web hosting company or webmaster can add a blog on fairly easy. Because there are so many hosting sites and Web software, we can't do step-by-step instructions for each of them. If, by chance, you do not have a Web site yet or you cannot add a blog to it, there are blog sites online that offer free blogging with a lot of easy-to-use features. Try Typepad, Blogger or Wordpress. Just being with a basic template and follow some of our suggestions on what to add.
You should add a blog post no less than once per week and as often as daily. Posts can range from 200-600 words and should be written on a variety of topics based on your industry and customers' needs. Continually ask yourself "what might my customer want or need to know about my business and this industry"? If you own a dry cleaning business, sharing tips on fabric care, stain treatment and tailoring or alterations could be topic categories. If you own a restaurant, new menu items, wine recommendations and reviews and social events would be helpful. Whatever you do, be patient. It will take some time for your blog to gather steam and a following.
Linking to other sites within your blog posts is important. As a mechanic, you might link to major automotive sites. As a computer repair person, perhaps office supplies or computer manufacturers. This is important because every time someone does a search of an automotive company or computer company you have mentioned and linked to, the odds increase that your post will come up in the search. This increases traffic to your Web site and exposes more people to what you do.
Interact with readers. Ask questions in the blog like "how have you handled this?" or "what are your concerns about that?". This prompts them to engage in the discussion or comments section and helps push your statistics up as well as increase your Web traffic.
Do add a "blogroll" to your site. A blog roll is a list of other blogs you read. Reward others, even within your industry, who you enjoy reading. This builds relationships and goodwill, which may pay off later on. If you use a particular vendor that you are happy with, link to their site in your blog roll. You can also start a We Recommend list for others you respect and who have served you well.
There are many ways to add images and video to your blog at little or no cost. Using graphics makes your blog more appealing and dynamic. Do an online search for free-images and you will be taken to various sites that offer a huge variety of images. You can also do searches for video, most of which will give you the easy-to-use HTML code to copy and paste into your blog. Use images and videos that make sense to the post and drive the message home.
Some of you simply lack confidence in your writing or you don't have the time. Don't fret over this. You can easily find your choice of professional writers to blog for you. Posts range from $5-15 each or less, especially if you purchase via a monthly package. Your "problogger" can not only handle the actually writing, but will usually be able to add images, video and field comments for you. Just be patient as your writer learns your "voice" and how you would deliver information.
Blogging is a must if you are trying to get your name "out there". It can help get you noticed by improving traffic, helps you build relationships with others in your field and customers and also establishes you as an expert. Additionally, you provide a legitimate service to your readers. Blogging, which can be fun and easy, is an additional marketing tool you can add to your toolbox.
About the Author:
With 30+ years consulting experience, Steven Schlagel provides training and coaching for startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners. Check his site for more articles to increase your success!
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