If you haven’t yet joined the blogosphere, your excuses for not blogging probably include not enough to write about, no writing talent, and not enough time. Instead of focusing on the why nots, consider instead these 7 reasons to blog for your business.
Remember, each blog post on your website is a new page for a search engine to see. This gives you a new opportunity to be found online.
1. Promote your product or service.
Blogging is a way to give your point of view as an expert who offers authentic and knowledgeable updates. Regular blog posts will give your readers a source of insider information while giving your business additional exposure.
By providing up-to-date information on new products and services, you will keep your customers engaged and coming back for new content.
2. Establish your authority in the market/industry.
Have your competitors jumped on the blogging bandwagon? Either way, your share of the marketplace will be taken by those that blog.
Posting valuable content gives readers a resource they will learn to trust. When they get on the internet to search, you want to be the authority they find.
3. Give your business a human side.
Blogs give you the chance to be personal and relate to your readers in an extended, ongoing format. Your blogging tone can be conversational and inviting, encouraging a loyal following.
Your readers will get the opportunity to know what you are about. Your About Us page won’t be the only source of personal connection on your website.
4. Link up with other social media.
Increase your website traffic through links to sites like Facebook and Twitter. Adding layers of exposure and opportunity for readers to find you and interact with you will boost your rankings.
Your blogs will reach a larger audience, giving you a more widespread human connection potential.
5. Connect with like-minded people.
Blogging increases your connections with like-minded people. You will become part of a larger community of interested readers who are online and looking for the products and services you offer.
You will be able to create new customers through reaching out and participating in the discussion, serving a need, and supplying valuable information.
6. Discovering keyword phrases.
By adding descriptive phrases to your website, you are doing what’s called targeting the long tail. Long tail search terms are keyword phrases of three to six words.
When the searcher is looking for something specific, they will use long tail search terms such as “17 inch LCD TV free shipping” rather than “LCD TV”. They might draw less traffic, but they will bring more quality traffic, which leads to more conversions than normal keywords.
Where else to best regularly supply the most current, descriptive content but in your blog post?
7. Gives you instant PR.
Blogging is also an ideal way to provide fast PR. You can get the word out quickly with a blog post, alleviating the need to wait for a direct mail campaign or print ad.
New product or service to introduce? Important announcement? Upcoming event or promotion? Special features or additions to highlight? You can get the word out quickly while driving traffic to your website.
The Answer to the Question
Consider taking your ideas, inspiration, and knowledge and funnel them into a website blog.
Shakespeare on blogging: The Bard’s sage advice withstands time and adapts well.
To blog or not to blog? He would give a thumbs up, I daresay.
Long tail cat Flickr photo credit: Ari Helminen
Shakespeare Flickr photo credit: cambodia4kidsorg