Why You Should Start Your Own Blog for Success Online
Blogging is a must if you are in business online, whether you are in a niche like affiliate marketing, copy-writing, or any of the internet marketing niches.
Blogging is a must if you have an offline business, like a pool service or pest control; are a chiropractor or dentist; or the owner of a brick and mortar store, but your goal is to increase your visibility by building an online presence.
What is a Blog?
Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, defines a blog as “a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other materials, such as graphics or video.â€
A blog is meant to have the ease of use similar to using a word processor application on your computer. Unlike e-commerce websites that take hours to be updated, and you often have to depend on a Webmaster to do your updates, you can update your blog quickly and save any changes you’ve made very easily.
Why Should I Have a Blog?
There are several important reasons why you should have a blog and I’ll go into those in my next post. But the true value of having a blog lies in the fact that it is interactive, which allows you to connect with your readers on a more personal level.
Let’s see how this works:
- Step 1 – You write a post (as an entry of a blog is called) on your area of expertise; your niche.
- Step 2 – Visitors who read your post can leave a comment or ask a question.
- Step 3 - You respond to your reader’s comment or question by thanking them and/or providing additional information. Keep in mind that the comments and questions, as well as the responses are viewed by your other readers as well.
Through this medium you’re building a relationship with your visitors/readers, and they’re getting to know you so that they can also get to like and trust you.
Thanks Yvonne for sharing your tips and advice for starting a blog. When I talk with my clients, that is the first question I ask … do you have a blog?! It is the most important part of your business – it is your ‘hub’.
1Lynn, I would love to hear how some of your clients, especially if they are offline, answer the question if they have a blog. Have you found that many persons believe that blogs are not for business? Helping them to understand that this is their hub is very fulfilling, isn’t it?
2Yvonne-
Corporations are getting into the act with having a blog and getting the consumer involved with what is happening with their products. In the past, they just have a site and now they are being more proactice with the public. Shouldn’t entrepreneurs and small business be on board as well.
Having a blog increases your presence with your client/customers. People want to interact with you whether you are doing business online and/or offline.
Thank you for posting this.
Jane
3So true, Jane. The static site just wont do any more. People want to be able to connect with those they do business with and a blog is definitely the way to do this. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
4A blog is crucial in today’s business climate. I am working with an offline biz customer now who had a site but no blog. The blog has been up and running for only two weeks and they can’t believe how they are dominating the first page of google with their keywords just by blogging. Admitedly, it’s a unique niche but they now OWN the first page of google! It’s been a joy to watch their excitement. Blogs rule!
5Yvonne, you really hit the nail on the head when you used the magic word, “Interactive”. A blog isn’t just an online journal — it’s a conversation!
There are obviously lots of choices when it comes to utilizing social media to market your business, but I believe blogging is the BEST. Plus it’s easy to blog and it’s fun … especially if you enjoy writing. And even if you don’t like to write, you can always rely on PLR articles to fill your blog with continual fresh, informative, and interesting content.
I realize many businesses do not yet have a blog. Maybe they just need a little more time to be convinced of the benefits of biz blogging. And if they can’t be convinced, they’re going to be missing out on a very effective marketing strategy!
Can you tell I love blogging? 🙂 LOL
6I find it interesting in NZ how many people do not blog. I taught a class of creative types this week and even the writer barely blogged.
7Good points in your blog – while it is an important part of your strategy,it is still not always easy getting people to read them and they are replacing newsletters I believe because they are easier to keep current
I’m experiencing a similar thing, Martha. It really makes you feel good, when you can help offline business customers see the value of doing something that we now take for granted that must be done, doesn’t it?
8You made a good point there, Roberta, about blogs replacing newsletters. I still subscribe to a few newsletters and the trend I’ve observed is that many people are basically adding their posts for the week in the body of the newsletter so that you end up back at their blog, which is the goal.
9Hi Yvonne,
I didn’t want to start blogging but I am down knee deep and love it. I see blogging now in a different light. It’s not so much about posting but it’s interacting as Melanie has said. The posts we are write are just the means for others to interact with us.
Another reason I would like to add is that you build a relationship with your readers. When they know you, like you and trust you, you no longer need to sell. These readers pre-qualify themselves to be your clients.
10Yvonne, I agree that a blog is a must. There are so many benefits. I’m so glad that you mentioned it for offline business as well.
11Great post Yvonne! Many of my clients don’t have a blog and claim that they don’t have time. What they don’t realize (and many people have mentioned this) is that it helps with their SEO. Having a website is great but you need something to be interactive with your customers and potential prospects. Blogging is a great way to do that!
12Hi Diana, Great to meet you here at my home on the internet. My welcome mat is always there for you. I’m glad you got over your reluctance to start your own blog and it’s evident that you understand the value as you summed it up very nicely 🙂
13Thank you, Leanne. I’m beginning to realize that many offline business owners have misconceptions about blogs, but I also realize that they hesitate to undertake something that they believe is going to consume so much of their time. It’s great to be able to help them see the value.
14Isn’t having a blog just a great learning experience and so much fun too! I started blogging to indulge in my love for writing and I am totally in love with the whole experience!
15Thanks for stopping by, Hajra. It’s great that you’re enjoying blogging, because you see it as fun and not a chore. I also love the fact that as a part of the blogosphere we get to connect with each other 🙂
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