Starting A Blog
Do I really need to get blogging?
Dear EarthMonkey
I keep hearing that every business owner should be writing a blog, but I’m not convinced. I wouldn’t know how, and to be honest I don’t know what the benefit is! Any suggestions?
From: Sophie (Sales Consultant, Norwich)
Dear Sophie
Let’s start with the basics. A blog is a ‘web log’ or online diary where you record your thoughts in a way that’s usually less formal than a website. It’s a great tool for your business, and here’s 10 reasons why:
1. It’s an extra bite of the cherry – another chance for people to find you online
2. It drives traffic into your sales website
3. It’s a chance to add a more personal touch to your business image
4. Your entries (or posts) can cover a wider range of topics, making each one relevant to your business
5. You can show how your business is up to the minute, adding a new post that reacts to the latest news events
6. You can pick up on the latest keywords and get noticed quickly by the search engines
7. You can syndicate your blog so other sites draw in the content – eg link it to a partner’s site as a way of adding value for their visitors
8. It’s a great way to stay in touch with your clients - they can add your blog to their personal Google or Yahoo pages
9. Most blogging tools have interactive functions to encourage visitors to get involved and keep coming back for more
10. You can share your posts with free article sites - creating extra links back to your sales website and building up your PageRank
Convinced yet? Let’s assume it’s a ‘Yes’ and move onto the next matter: