Want a surefire way to brand your business as THE top resource in your field? Want a quick and effective way to constantly connect with potential clients and customers? Here’s the answer: start a blog, and use it to showcase your business. From Fortune 500 companies to and mom and pop shops, businesses everywhere are benefiting from this important medium, using blogging to connect with their target audience. HubSpot recently released a study showing an increase in business blogging from 48% in 2009 all the way up to 62% in 2012.
The bottom line: if you’re not blogging, you’re in the minority!
Here’s why so many companies have jumped into blogging (and why you should too)!
Show That You Are THE Expert in Your Field
Think of your blog as a forum where you can show off your knowledge. You can use your blog to elevate your audience’s trust in you, your business, and your brand. You need to blog to show that you are a leading authority in your field, especially if you’re a small business owner.
Pro Blogger Tip: The more you write (and the more regularly you write), the more you show your commitment to your business. The result? Credibility with your target audience— and that’s well worth every written word!
Connect with Your Target Audience
As you continue to blog about your insider industry info or tips, over time you’ll build a solid following. Continuously engaging with that audience is a great way to keep and to strengthen that following.
Pro Blogger Tip: Be sure to ask questions at the end of each blog post to start up an interesting conversation in the comments. Always take time to thoughtfully respond to comments to continue to build those relationships.
Introduce Your Audience to Your Other Websites
Don’t hesitate to move those great comment conversations to social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and/or Facebook to continue the conversation where others might like to share additional input. You can (and should!) use your blog to connect people to your business website and your other social media platforms. On that note, if your blog page is set up on a separate website, be sure to link the two together.
Pro Blogger Tip: Be sure you have plenty of links on your blog page to ALL your other social media outlets. This encourages others to share your blog posts and comment, which means more traffic to your website and the further distribution of your great ideas!
Give and You Shall Receive
When you give away free information, your audience will keep coming back for more, and eventually that trusted connection will make your audience BUY. Think of each blog post as a little nugget of information that will improve the business or life of each member of your audience. Use your knowledge to earn their respect and to show how your expertise can help their businesses thrive!
Pro Blogger Tip: Offering additional free materials, such as e-books, can help you grow your lead funnel. Ask your contacts to sign up for your newsletter to receive the free information.
Showcase Your Connectedness to Connect Even More
I’ll admit it. Sometimes it’s hard to come up with new post material every week. (Mini pro blogger tip: always keep a Future Blog Topics List handy and write down blog post ideas as they come to you. That way you’re never left wondering what to write next!)
To show your connectedness with your community and within your industry (and to fill in those blanks when you’re struggling with a particular topic), invite professional contacts you know to write a guest post. Ask your guest blogger to share their success stories on how your expertise has improved their business.
Pro Blogger Tip: Writing a guest blog can be time-consuming for your associate. Be sure to offer to link from their post back to their website and/or social media pages to show the benefits of sharing their knowledge and experiences with your audience—more potential clients for them!
Blogging is a GREAT way to connect with your audience. Period. Blogging is now an essential component to your marketing plan, so don’t skimp where it counts! Start blogging now and show that you’re the expert in your field.
Want to share your blog with my audience?
Please write a comment below. Include:
- How long you’ve been reading The Branding Spot Blog
- The best advice you found at The Branding Spot Blog and how your business benefited from it
- The web address of your blog
I look forward to your comments. Now get blogging!
Questions on how to start blogging? Comment below or email Nora@NDRichardson.com to learn more!