What is a Blog?
According to a dictionary definition – a blog is a discussion or informational site consisting of posts (entries) typically displayed in chronological order. Some blogs are focused on particular topic or category, while others can be more like personal stories. Blog can be public or private, where readers have to register and be approved before they can view it. Blogs are more and more popular for several different reasons.
Why to have a blog?
Blogs can be used for both personal and commercial use. Personal blogs give you ability to share your recent experiences, stories and even pictures. It kind of reminds me of social media profile, like Facebook. It’s easy to share them with group of friends. But also if you are journalist and like to express yourself, that is also a great way. People can comment on your blogs, so in a way it is a discussion forum. It can also be designed to help others. For example, doctors can have blogs about different diseases and how to cure or prevent them. Animal lovers can share thoughts about their pets – how to train them or how to deal with bad behavior. So people with different interests can write about what they are passionate about and what they want to share with the rest of the world.
Blog for Business???
You may wonder by now, what does blogging have to do with my business. Well, it’s simple. In previous article we established, that people can write what they are passionate about. As a business owner, you are most likely passionate about your business – growing it, promoting and telling the rest of the world that you are the best. And that is what blog can be used for. You can write about your business history, recent events, promote new products or services, introduce your new employees… Possibilities are endless. It makes you more approachable as a business owner. People get to know you and your values. They become more comfortable with you and more attached. When creating a blog, you can have option where people can subscribe to your blog. When they do so, they receive e-mail every time you post something new. If you think about it, blog is a really smart and inexpensive way to advertise.
But there is another very important benefit to blogging. It helps to promote your website and build your ranking with search engines. How so? There are few ways. First of all, your blog can consist of keywords that people use to find sites thru Google. So let’s say you wrote a blog about your dog dreaming. Somebody searched thru google and uses the term you used in your blog – and BOOM! Your site comes up in search results. People can visit your site and read your blog, but there is a chance they also visit your home page and look at your company, and what you offer. This is a great way to do your marketing.
There is also another benefit – if people like your blogs, they can link to them. So if I have a website that is selling dog products, and I really like your post about dog dreams – I can decide to link to your website from mine. Link building is important way to improve your ranking with search engines.
How can you create your own blog?
To have a blog, you need to have a website. It can be your business website, where you just add a blogging page, or you can create website just for blogging. You can write articles yourself, or hire somebody to do it for you. Important thing is – when you have a blog, make sure you look at it often. Potential clients may reach out to you by leaving comments or posting questions. It is in your best interest to respond as soon as possible.
Luckily, you don’t have to look far. If you are interested to learn more about blogging, or would like to get one, please reach out to me, and I will be more than happy to answer any questions.
