If you run a business, you’ve probably either already started a blog or at least considered doing so. Companies of every size are using business blogs to build authority, increase online exposure, make valuable connections, and boost their sales. Unfortunately, many of the business blogs I read fall short in several areas.
That’s why I’ve come up with this list of 7 tips for better business blogging. Following these tips will help you get the most out of your company blog.
1.Be Professional and Personal- Since this is your business blog, you want to make sure your posts stay professional. In other words, don’t mention how drunk you got at the company party last night. However, you also want to make sure you include your personality in your posts. Find a balance of professionalism and personality. Remember, blogging is a social activity. Readers tend to follow those who separate themselves from the pack. How do you do this? By showcasing your unique personality.
2.Optimize Your Posts- By now, you probably know of the importance of optimizing your website for the search engines, but did you know you should be optimizing your blog posts as well? Search engines love blogs because new posts provide the engine with new content. Since the search engines like to display new content, it only makes sense to optimize your blog title and body for relevant keywords. This will grab you good rankings and increased traffic.
3.Maintain Relevancy- One of the keys to running a successful business blog is staying relevant. You need to be talking about the important news in your industry. Don’t just rehash broad topics from years ago. Instead, be on the cutting edge of your industry so that your readers will see you as the resource for all their needs.
4.Link to Others- Linking to other blogs in your posts is beneficial for a couple of reasons. First, it provides your readers with additional opinions on important issues. Again, this establishes you as a resource for your industry. Readers will be comfortable following you because they know you give them access to a wide range of information. The other benefit of linking out is it catches the attention of the blogger you link to. When they see you’re linking to them, they’ll be interested in learning more about you. This can create some valuable connections for your business.
5.Respond to Comments- One of the most common mistakes I see on business blogs is ignored comments. Or, the author responds to comments with a simple “Thanks for the comment.†Neither of these is acceptable. You should always respond thoughtfully to comments on your blog. Why? Because you build relationships with your readers. As a reader, wouldn’t you be more likely to keep coming back to a blog if the author engages in interesting conversations with you?
6.Post Regularly- While it’s best to follow a set posting schedule, the truth is you don’t always have time for that. That’s completely understandable, but you need to make sure you at least create new posts regularly. Successful business blogging is about building a strong base of followers. If you only post once a month, you’ll never build a solid base. Posting regularly will increase reader retention as well as attract new readers.
7.Give Your Opinion- I saved this one for last because it just might be the most important tip. Remember, there are millions of blogs crowding the internet. How do you separate yourself from the others? By giving your unique insight on a subject. Don’t just repeat what everyone else is saying. Give your own opinion, and people will respect you as a blogger. Sometimes, that opinion might fall in line with what the other bloggers are saying, but other times you’ll disagree with the general consensus. Be professional, but speak your mind.
Do you have a business blog? If so, what do you like to do to separate yourself from the competition? What tips would you suggest for new bloggers?