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When it comes to engaging with your online audience, small business blogging can be one of the best ways to get started. After all, while just having a website is great for providing basic information to potential customers, a blog is naturally more engaging.
In fact, one of the top benefits of a business blog is it facilitates communication with your online visitors. This increased interaction makes a big difference, as according to this infographic from IgniteSpot, small businesses with blogs generate 126% more leads than those without one.
Because of this, blogging makes a lot of sense for most small businesses. Here is a basic guide to getting your business blog up and running.
Decide on Your Blog’s Purpose
While the basic idea behind blogging isn’t all that challenging, there are a few important steps to take before launch day. One of the first involves deciding the purpose of your blog. In other words, what do you want your business blog to accomplish? What business goals will blogging help you achieve?
Basically goal-setting for your blog, this is a key early step because it influences the type of content you create. There are also several directions you can take your blog.
In other words, business blogs can accomplish a variety of things. Some companies use their blog primarily to boost their web traffic and search engine ranking, while others use it to build up their brand and establish trust and authority in their marketplace.
Whatever your blog’s purpose, just remember that the best business blogs provide valuable information and content to visitors without constantly trying to sell them something.
Take Care of the Logistics
In addition to the conceptual reasons you have for starting a blog, business owners also need to consider the technical side of business blogging.
This includes details such as where your blog will be hosted, how will it look, what features will it have, and who is in charge of writing the content and managing the blog.
Web design, interface creation, and maintenance costs should also be kept in mind.
Furthermore, there are many ways to handle these logistics. Small business owners who are tech savvy, dedicated to writing, and/or have a lot of time on their hands could probably handle launching and running a blog all on their own.
Of the many options out there, WordPress is by far the most popular, easy-to-use blogging platforms available.
In general however, most business owners need a bit of help when it comes to navigating the technical side of things.
Keep in mind that if you lack the coding skills, are too busy, or simply don’t like writing, it is fairly common practice to hire a blog team to help you. After all, blogging is probably not why you went into business in the first place.
You are an expert in your field, whatever that may be. And I’m a firm believer that you should do what you do best and hire a pro to do the rest. This can be applied in many areas of your business, not just blogging and marketing.
To your success!
Ken Partain
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