The importance of blogging in business

The Internet has revolutionized the world and blogging has revolutionized the online world.  While blogging can seem like a daunting task, there’s no need to worry – it’s easy to get the hang of it.

A blog is essentially on online diary and helps you reach out to consumers by talking about things that are of interest to them and will peak their curiosity.  Speaking of topics that are important to them creates an online dialogue with your readers.

Blogging is a good way to keep your web presence relevant and current.  Additionally, it’s free and cheap.

A blog is a great way to get the word out about your business or upcoming sales or events you may be hosting.  In essence, it’s a great public relations solution that is quick, effective and inexpensive.  You can also highlight your current inventory.

A blog also offers a chance for free feedback from your customers.  By leaving comments on your blog, consumers tell you how you are helping them and what they want to hear about in future blogs.  Who doesn't want to know what customers are thinking?  A blog also gives you the opportunity to respond directly to customers' comments and questions, making it easy build a relationship with them.

Setting up a blog can help you build customer loyalty and increase your site traffic because it keeps them coming back for new content and information.  Give your customers a reason to stay engaged with your business by keeping them apprised on new products and services.

A blog can also help you introduce your business to new customers that you weren’t reaching before.  “When you blog about your company and its products you are increasing your web presence and making it easier for search engines to find your products and include them in search results.  Organic search is an excellent way to reach new customers who wouldn't have found you otherwise.”

Additionally, blogging can add revenue.  Once you’ve become a blogging expert, you can set up an account with online advertising to sell space on your blog.  You’ve seen ads before on others websites.  They show up on pages you visit and are relevant to your initial search.  “Once the ad code is set up on your blog, you just sit back and watch the clicks earn money.”

Blogging has its own unique style and voice.  Be a reader of other blogs to grab inspiration.  Blogging is like having a conversation with your readers; it’s different than the way one might write an article so feel free to communicate in a relaxed way.

Add personal touches to your blog because it humanizes you.  Talk to your readers rather than lecturing them with boring statistics.

Additionally, blogs give you a personality.  “What better way to humanize your company than a blog that talks and interacts like a human being?”  Blogs are an excellent way to brand your company.  They aren’t corporate websites; they are meant to be more casual and engaging.  Bloggers relate to their customers and their unique struggles and share solutions to said problems.

Blogs allow you to become a thought-leader for your industry.  Strong bloggers update their readers with cutting edge information about their industry and give them useful tips accordingly. 

Additionally, blogs are very cost effective.  They take little time and money to set up and since a blog is conversational in tone they are usually easy to write – one can see it as a sort of stream of consciousness.

Here are some articles about why blogging in business is indeed a good idea:

“5 Reasons Your Business Should Be Blogging”: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-reasons-your-business-should-be-blogging/

“3 reasons Blogging is Important for Your Business”: http://propelmarketing.com/blog/2012/3-reasons-blogging-important-your-business/

“5 reasons Why Blogging is Better for Your Business than Social Networking”: http://inspirationfeed.com/articles/blogging/5-reasons-why-blogging-is-better-for-your-business-than-social-networking/

“6 Reasons a Blog should be the Center of any Social Content Strategy”: http://www.business2community.com/blogging/6-reasons-a-blog-should-be-the-center-of-any-social-content-strategy-0189727

Until next time…