Blogging for Business:
Benefits of a Blog and Essential Tips for Getting
Started
By Stephanie
Chandler
A
blog is essentially an online diary that allows you to
post information, tips, thoughts and ideas in a running
log format for others to view. Blogs are used by
companies large and small to build an audience, promote
a business and gain valuable online exposure.
Not
sure if a blog is right for you? Here are six key
reasons to start blogging now:
Search Engines Love Blogs:
The
major search engines provide higher rankings to sites
that update data frequently. When you post to a blog
several times each week, you content is constantly
changing and growing. The search engines will reward
your effort with improved search engine rankings.
Build an Audience:
A good blog can attract many new customers. People who
like what you have to say will pay attention to your
blog by subscribing to your blog feed.
Content is Archived Forever:
Each
post to your blog adds to your growing index of content.
The more content you have, the more reasons you give the
search engines to find you. For example, if you wrote a
post last month about the lifespan of a blue butterfly,
when someone searches the Internet for that particular
subject, there is a good chance that your post will be
returned in the search results (depending on the
competition for the related keywords).
Establish Yourself as an Expert:
Hosting a blog is one of the quickest and easiest ways
to showcase your expertise in your subject matter. When
you share valuable tips and resources, you engage
readers while building credibility in your industry.
Get Media Exposure:
The
media is constantly on the hunt for sources to interview
for stories. From magazine and news reporters to major
radio and television producers, blogs are becoming a
strategic place for the media to find talented industry
experts.
Leverage and Repurpose Blog Content:
It
doesn’t take long to build up a substantial amount of
blog content. You can repurpose your posts into
articles, ebooks, books and reports. Many bloggers have
found publishing success by building a loyal following
online and then impressing publishers with a ready-made
online “platform.”
Ready to get started? Here are the steps to take:
1.
Search the Internet for blogs in your industry and do a
little research before you start. Studying other
people’s blogs will help you identify what you like and
don’t like and how you want yours to look and feel.
2.
If you already have a website, check with your hosting
provider to see if they provide a blog plug-in option.
If not, popular blog services include
www.Typepad.com,
www.Wordpress.com and
www.Blogger.com.
3.
Establish several categories that appeal to your target
audience. For example, my business growth blog has more
than a dozen categories including articles, book
recommendations, technology tips, resources for authors
and online marketing. Categories make it easy for
readers to browse through your past entries.
4.
Develop content ideas for your industry. Your blog can
include personal opinions, book reviews, links to
helpful resources, industry statistics, product
recommendations, excerpts from books or white papers
(from which you own the copyright) and much more.
5.
Keep it simple. Blog entries do not need to be
long-winded. In fact, online readers prefer brief
content that is easy to scan. I recommend writing just
one to three paragraphs for each post. Use sub-headings
and bullets to make the text easier to read. Photos and
videos can also add visual appeal.
6.
Add outgoing links to your blog posts when appropriate.
For example, if you mention an article you read in XYZ
magazine, make sure to include a hyperlink to the
article. Not only will your readers appreciate the
option to view the sites you reference, but having links
pointing to other sites can further improve your search
engine rankings.
7.
Schedule time to work on your blog. You should be
posting at least three times each week for best search
engine optimization. Instead of logging in several times
each week, write several blog entries at once and then
schedule them to publish on specific days.
8.
Promote your blog by including your blog link in your
e-mail signature, on your website, in social networking
profiles, and anywhere else you can find to share it
with the world. You can also submit it to directories
such as
www.BlogCatalog.com and
www.Technorati.com.
9.
Consider minimizing some of the effort involved by
inviting others to contribute. Your blog could include
posts by employees, customers, peers or strategic
partners.
10.
Maintain your momentum. Be on the lookout for fresh
topic ideas so you can avoid getting “bloggers block.”
When you come across something interesting, get in the
habit of writing it down so you have it handy when it’s
time to update your blog.
It
may take some time to build momentum for your blog, but
in the long run, the rewards can be significant. When
the call comes from a major media source or a big client
referral, you will know that it was all worthwhile.
About
the Author:
Stephanie Chandler is an author of several business and marketing books
including "LEAP!
101 Ways to Grow Your
Business" and “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur:
Make Money with Books,
eBooks and Information
Products.” She is
also founder and CEO of
http://AuthorityPublishing.com, which
specializes in custom publishing and
internet marketing
services, and
http://BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of
resources for entrepreneurs.
For author and speaker details, visit
http://StephanieChandler.com.
*This
article can be reprinted in full provided the author
resource box is included with the publication.
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Related Books
BENEFITS OF A BLOG ~ BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS ~ START A BLOG
