How Do I Start a Blog for My Small Business?
If you don’t have a blog for your business, you are potentially missing out on a low-cost marketing method that could boost your sales dramatically. A blog can attract readers by offering information to them that they find relatable and valuable. If readers come to your blog for information and insights, then there is a chance they may click the link to your business to get the accompanying product or service.
For example, a plumber could make a post that answers a frequently asked question that he encounters in his business like, “Why is my toilet running?” In his post he may offer several causes for a running toilet and possible solutions. Someone seeking an answer to this question may find his blog and read the post. They could then decide that the problem requires a professional to fix and click on the contact link at the bottom of the post.
If you are thinking of creating a blog for your business, here are some suggestions to get you started.
1. Offer Useful Information
You don’t need to make your posts overly promotional. On the contrary, that is likely to turn readers off. What will attract readers is useful information. You make the sale when they believe you are a credible source – as with the example above. At the bottom of one of your informative posts, you can add a call to action with a link to your contact page.
2. Post Regularly
There are several components to creating a successful blog and one of them is posting regularly. Not only does this let readers know when they can expect a new post, but search engines also use this as part of their ranking criteria. If you update your blog regularly – whether it be once a week, three times a week, twice a month or daily – that will increase its value to the search engines and cause your blog to rise in rank to be among the first listed when someone conducts a web search. A boost in ranking boosts your visibility.
3. Plan Your Posts
Because you will be posting regularly, it is a good idea to have a list of posts prepared ahead of time. One of the biggest reasons that blogs fail is because the blog creator stops posting. That happens because they get stuck when trying to decide what to write about. If you plan ahead, this is not a problem. Planning ahead can also allow you to do things like create a series of related posts, which is another way to keep readers coming back.
There are many tools available to help you set up your blog online, such as WordPress.
Summary
A blog is a great way to help boost sales, especially if you do not have a lot of money in the budget for marketing. Using these tips can help you to create a successful blog for your business. If you are looking for more information to help you get your business off the ground, visit our blog today.
