Tips for Today: Blogging

Sure your small business has a website, and a Facebook page, but do you have a blog? Before you brush it off as one more thing to do later, hear us out. Writing a blog gives you a chance to share your thoughts and expertise on a wide range of topics,  and it gives outsiders a glimpse inside your small business. Here’s our top 10 list of reasons why you should be writing a blog:

1. It’s one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website. Once there, they’re likely to poke around and further engage with your brand.
2. Your customers get to know the “human(s)” behind your brand. Instead of directly selling to them, a well-written blog post is a more attractive way of approaching new and current customers.
3. Writing blog posts on industry-related topics will elevate you as an expert in your field, and your customers are likely to come to you with their questions!
4. You’ll always have something new to post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.
5. A blog is a great way to provide customer service! Have several customers asked you the same question (i.e. “What wine goes best with pizza?”)? A blog is the perfect place to expound on food and wine pairings – helping all of your customers out.
6. A blog might boost your SEO rankings! By optimizing your blog posts, you’re more likely to be found in search results.
7. If your content is relevant and helpful, customers are likely to share your post with their social networks – a great way for you to reach NEW customers.
8. Blogs are user-friendly and usually cost less than making a big change to your website every time you want to say something!
9. Having a podium from which to “speak” online will help you improve your marketing and writing skills, and provide an outlet for you to express yourself and your brand.
10. Blogging is the best way to reinforce your marketing strategy for the year and tell your customers what they need to/should know in an approachable and friendly way.

Note: Despite all of the great things above, blogging isn’t for everyone! If you don’t have time to write at least one relevant article a month, it might not be wise for you to start one. No blog at all is better than a poorly maintained one!