Get Started Blogging For Your Small Business

Small business blogging is becoming an increasingly more important part of getting your small business found online. Blogging can build your customer base. In fact, 58 percent of businesses that post weekly blogs say they have attracted more customers as a result. Consider the following reasons why integrating small business blogging into your marketing plan makes sense:

Blogging drives traffic to the main portion of your webpage.
Blogging builds a relationship and/or community with your customers.
Blogging can help you rank well in search engines - both normal results and local search. Blogs add fresh content and new pages to your otherwise static website. Put your business name, address, and phone number on each page to make it easy for sutomers to contact you and tell search engines your blog is associated with a local business.
Blogging builds the credibility of your company - by sharing your expertise you position yourself as an authority in the industry.
Blogging differentiates you from your competitors and helps build your brand.

Creating a blog is simple. You can either implement a blog directly through your website or use one of the free services on the web that allows you to create and link a blog to your website. Having the blog on your own site is better for search engine optimization, but does involve a little more effort. { Once your blog is up and running, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when writing your blog:

Small Business Blogging Basics

Write the content in a form that is easy to scan. People tend not to read line by line on a computer screen. Creating lists, using sub headings, and adding space in between paragraphs make the post easier to read.
A good title is important to grab the attention of readers.
Put yourself and your personality into your blog. Customers enjoy being able to get to know a neighborhood business on a level they can't with a large chain. Let your readers get to know you and more will become customers.
Blog regularly! Post at least once a month, but once a week is better. Many posts can be written in advance and scheduled to post later. Blog on a regular basis. Not only will this help with search engine rankings, it will also help you build a following of readers, which can lead to increased sales. We suggest you post at least once a month.
Keep the content clear and concise. Start by writing between 250-500 words per post.
But What Should I Write About?


Talk about a hot topic in your industry whether it is going green or brand-new technology.
Promote new products or services; however do not use the blog solely as a self-promotion tool. People will not want to come back and read it if your blog is a high-pressure pitch.
Answer any frequently asked questions that you receive.
Composing or commenting on news articles about your industry and writing up interviews makes great content.
Most importantly, attract readership by writing about topics people are interested in - believe it or not, there are people interested in your business! What are the questions you get most often on the phone or on your sales floor? Chances are these can be made into an informative post that will attract readers and build loyalty.
Some topics related to your business are more interesting or important than others - you know which ones because your customers probably already ask you about them. Small business blogging is about bringing conversations with customers online and into the spotlight.
Make tired, overused topics interesting by offering your unique voice and point of view.

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