3 Ways (And A Bonus) to Build Your Business Blog

Some best practices for blogging effectively for your business:

1. Broaden the conversation: You decided to start a blog for your small business, so obviously you're going to use it exclusively to promote yourself, right? WRONG! No one wants to become a reader of blog that spews nothing but self-promotion and advertising. Instead, create a conversation around a broader topic you love. Are you a paint store? Instead of an excruciatingly detailed account of each shade of yellow on your shelves, try posting about the color trends for this Fall, or how to choose the perfect trim for your bedroom. By shifting the focus from a micro-view of your store's inventory to a macro-view of home-decorating in general, you position yourself as an expert in the field and attract a wide range of readers to really get the conversation flowing!
2. Respond to Comments: Comments are an amazing opportunity to have a direct discussion with your readers and fans. Responding to a reader (and calling them by their first name is a great touch) shows that you are listening, gives you a chance to answer questions, address concerns, and just provide stellar customer service even when not face-to-face. Your readers will not only appreciate the response, but will start to feel a connection with you and your business.
3. Add Value! Again, while a well-constructed blog will help to promote your business, your blog shouldn't appear to be self-serving. Instead, with every decision, from design to posting, ask "how does this add value to my readers?". Your fans are busy! If they are going to take time our of their lives to hang out on your url, shouldn't they be rewarded with content the educates, entertains, or makes them think? If you create a Blogroll, think of it as a list of resources for your reader. If you post a picture, ask yourself what the value-add is. When you post content, make sure there is a take-away message. Think of it as the party favor your reader gets to take away from the time they spent with you and your business.

And a bonus tip: Be Patient and Be Passionate! If you're expecting an instant following, engaging conversation, and fascinating feedback right after the very first post on your blog, you're likely in for a big disappointment. Blogs take time to gain traction, to climb the SEO ladder, and to find their footing. Write about what you are passionate about so that you can continue to stay excited during that growing phase when you feel you are writing in a vacuum. Trust that with persistence and patience, your readers will find you and all of those posts you've been creating will provide rich content for them to read!

Want to learn more about these tips and other ways to elevate your business blogging? Check out the video class below from Inbound Marketing University, or contact me to have a chat on how you can get your business's blog booming!

How to Blog Effectively for Business (GF101)