Do businesses need blogs? YES! They aren’t just for fashion, cookery and interiors…

A blog is an online journal in which you share your thoughts about a particular subject with readers. So, a perfect platform for every business to tell both their story and also to communicate to their chosen audiences.
 
However, rising above the noise and getting the attention of the target audiences is hard work and requires consistency and fresh content.
 
Why start a blog?
 
Blogging is a great way of communicating with your audience – the one you have now and the one you wish to grow and have in the future.
 
There are a variety of ways to blog and the most impactful are those that share your unique insights and understanding of your marketplace to educate and inform your audience. Where you have done the market research and sharing your knowledge with your audience.
 
Some businesses simply share success stories and pats on the back for work well done, while this is a good start it isn’t a long term strategy, as most people on social media channels are reading and following to learn something. We are all hungry for information, insights, techniques and processes that can benefit us, which is where a good business blog takes effect.
 
I am asked a lot about blogging for business, and I always advise to follow my four golden rules:
 

1. Being an expert is a good thing – you know your market and your business better than anyone, that is your superpower! Don’t forget it.
2. Your research to write blogs also makes you stay knowledgeable in your field as you regularly seek new content to share – always keep learning, don’t stop.
3. The underlying focus is to get sales from your content – these may be long-lead or a slow burn, but the aim is to turn readers and engagement into customers.
4. Help others - educate and inspire and gather groups of like-minded people, they are your people!

 
And once I have explained those, the question about the value of a blog comes up soon after….. 

• Blogging helps build a network:  good informative blogs build audiences and networks.
• Blogging builds kudos: providing value and expertise will cement your position as an expert in your field and make you the go-to for your target market.
• Blogging improves your SEO: when you write a series of in-depth, valuable articles around a topic, Google takes notice.

 
I could write pages of content about the benefits of blogging for business, but the overriding element is that blogging is an important marketing tactic, it should be part of your sales arsenal.
 
For a business blog to take effect it needs to be fresh and consistent. With the overriding aim to attract more attention, encourage authority, drive traffic and ultimately sales to your business.
 
… But if you need help – employ a ghost-writer (me!) who will help you find your blogging voice and help you craft powerful content.