Many companies are coming to understand the importance of a blog for promoting their business.
Even so, there are many businesses still without a blog presence.
Those that do have blogs often don't keep them updated or current with posts.
Does every company need a blog? Let's explore some of the basic fundamentals of blogging for business.
First, why is a blog important for your business? 1.
Currently around 60% of the population actively participates in blogging and social media networking.
These people have come to expect businesses to have blogs.
Potential and existing customers like the idea of the interaction a company's blog and social media presence offers them.
2.
Blogging and social media networking is a great way to let your customers know about upcoming product releases, sales and discounts, and what's happening in the way of new developments in your specific industry.
3.
Research has proven that business blogging and social media participation influence customer purchasing decisions in a positive way.
4.
A blog that is maintained and updated with regular posts provides excellent SEO benefits.
New content posts focused on market keywords on a regular basis are highly favored by the search engines.
5.
Another huge SEO benefit of a maintained blog is the back linking power it creates.
You link to other blogs and websites, other websites and blogs link back, and your search engine ranking is empowered.
Second, does every business need a blog? 1.
It is important to realize in the very beginning that if you don't make a firm commitment to maintain your blog on a regular basis, you may as well not have one.
A well maintained blog should have around 2-3 posts per week.
2.
Much depends on your specific industry or business.
Do you have sufficient information to warrant newsworthy or interesting comments on a blog on a regular basis? 3.
Are you prepared to either make the posts yourself or outsource them to a freelance ghostwriter so that your blog is regularly maintained? 4.
The size of your business and what you hope to gain by blogging is another consideration.
Every business is different.
If your business has something interesting to say on a regular basis, especially if it will invite comments from others, then the answer is generally yes, but again every situation is different and must be evaluated on the pros, cons, and what your business hopes to gain from a blog presence.
5.
What your business gains from blogging has much to do with how much effort you put into it.
If done properly (this is key), creating and maintaining a blog certainly cannot hurt a business and most often offers the potential for great benefits.
Lastly, once you have a blog, what happens next? 1.
Post regularly.
A stale blog without current posts is boring.
A good rule of thumb is to make around 2-4 posts per week.
Even posting once a week is better than none at all.
2.
Don't expect miracles overnight.
Creating and maintaining a successful blog takes time, and the benefits will come but not immediately.
3.
Don't be too technical in your posts.
Blogging requires a "blogging" voice, which is a conversational tone that reflects a personality and an opinion.
4.
It is important to note that not everyone will agree with everything you say.
This is to be expected.
Retain your composure, be professional, and don't agitate or aggravate escalating fights or issues.
Just as you have your own opinion, understand that others also have theirs; hence the creation of the phrase, "Simply agree to disagree.
" 5.
Create posts that provide knowledge and usable content for the reader.
6.
Keep posts the right length.
This is generally around 350-450 words.
If it is any longer than 500 words, then it should probably become two posts instead of one.