Blogging is nothing new. I’ve been doing it for business for about 10 years now. Today blogs are an essential component of our content creation services and provide an optimal way to tell a brand story, reach potential clients and position one in the market … but it wasn’t an easy entry.
I recall clearly when the notion was raised that I should be blogging for a client. I believe I said something along the lines of , “Why don’t I just go into the bathroom and talk to myself?” At that time, my impression of “bloggers” was sort of like “vanity publishing”: not much readership and mostly for one’s own ego. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for me to grasp the reality that blogging had enormous potential.
A decade later we’ve become BFFs with not only blogging FOR clients, but collaborating WITH industry bloggers. So, let me share four blogging for business basics:
- When using blogs as a tool to improve your SEO (search engine optimization), use keywords, bulleted or numbered lists and original content. Do NOT think you can just use the exact same blog from a vendor partner, even if you credit them for that. Google is not your English teacher … it’s beyond plagerism. Google will signficantly “ding” you for this practice. Link to the pertinent areas of your website, and optimize your titles, tags, etc.
- Make your blog visual — use photos and infographics. As important as the words are for SEO, you want people to read it … and we all know folks are more inclined to do that if they are engaged by some visual interest.
- Use blogs to establish yourself as a subject matter expert — a way to set your self apart from the competition in a very crowded and noisy market.
- Utilize social media to spread your message. There’s no point writing a blog and then just letting it languish about. Sure, someone MIGHT search for the topic and find it, but why not put it out there for the world to see? (Click here for step by step “how to” instructions)
Get it? Cool! Too busy to do it yourself? Set up a free consult and let’s see what we can do for your business!
