Step One - Be Memorable
Your blog name is important – it’s how people find you. This is how search engines direct people to you. Be sure to put some serious thought into it your blog name.
A very few years ago, few people had ever heard of a “blog.” But as technology grew, we all wanted more. It started with businesses. They designed blogs that introduced their company to the world. They added questions that most people called about. You can do the same – find out what you customers are asking and tailor your blog to it.
Step Two - Content is King!
Always give your reader a reason to come back to your blog. Encourage them to share your blog. Be sure to keep in mind your customers are a diverse group of people. Where some like to read, other skip the reading and go straight to videos and apps. Use a variety of content for your blog. If possible, change your site up at least twice every month. And, don’t forget to change photos.
Step Three – Your Blog is a Marketing Tool
Market from your blog! It is marketing gold. This is where folks can get answers to their questions. They can talk to people who have used your project. This is like having a salesman in someone's dining room.
Ask questions. Ask your customers if they were treated well. Did the product perform for them? Your blog is a great way to get to know your customers and start that conversation to learn from them.
Step Four – Find Partnerships
Network! Speak to the people who are connected in your industry. They do not have to be your competitor. For example, maybe your company does house repairs. You are probably asked from time to time if you know a good painter, plumber or electrician. By posting a link on your site for them, and them putting a spot on their site for you, you are networking – and building those partnerships that showcase both of your expertise.
Step Five – Take Care of Your Blog
Make it someone’s job in your office to monitor the blog – customer questions should be addressed in a timely matter. And, learn how to optimize your blog through Google and other search engines. Use SEO (search engine optimization) and keywords to help your customers find what they are looking for. Keywords help your blog get you to the top of a search. But, be cautious in the number of keywords you use – overuse of keywords can end up diluting the search of your blog rather than strengthening it.
Be smart, have a blog and use it to showcase your expertise. You’ll be glad you did.
Ashley Lipman content marketing specialist.
