Smart Small Businesses are Blogging: These are the Reasons Why You Should Start

Have you put off blogging for your small business? Maybe you think it’s too hard, or that it takes too much time, or that it costs too much money. Well, it’s a good time to stop making excuses and start blogging. Chances are, your competition has already been blogging for a while now.

Blogging proves to be effective for showing potential clients who you are and what you do, regardless of your industry. It’s more important than ever to be online as more people take to the internet to make purchasing decisions. If you aren’t online, then you’re failing to reach a large chunk of potential buyers.

These are 3 reasons why smart small businesses are blogging, and why you should start!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1) Blogging is essential for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Blogs are powerful marketing tools. Blogging regularly works to keep your website content “fresh,” which is essential for SEO purposes. The higher your website’s page rank, the more eyeballs you attract to your blog. Blogging helps people find you online and helps them get to know more about you.

Tip: It’s important to create original and high-quality content when blogging. Make sure you stay focused within your specific niche when blogging to increase the likelihood that your potential clients find you, rather than your competition.

2) Blogging establishes awareness of your brand online

Blogging provides small businesses with a highly effective way to tell their readers about all the things which make their business unique. Blog posts can also be easily pushed out and shared via social media. As people share your blog posts on social media, through links and/or images, they help spread your business’ messages (and name) well beyond your own reach.

Tip: Create catchy titles for your blog posts which will entice your readers to click and read them. Make sure your content matches your title though so you don’t let them down. Keep in mind that you’re blogging as a way of promoting your brand’s image. Well-written blogs can go a long way towards impressing potential customers and inspiring them to check you out.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3) Blogging gives your brand an online “voice” so customers can get to know your “human” side

Without a doubt, people prefer to do business with someone they feel they know and trust. Through blogging, you can tell your audience all about who you and what you offer, all through the power of your words. One critical element of being “human” online involves listening to your readers, rather than just broadcasting your own messages all the time. Encourage your readers to comment and make suggestions so they feel like part of the conversation, too.

Tip: Regular blogging attracts readers to your website, so make sure you’re there for them. Keep up with trends and current events in your industry – both local and national - so you can blog about the topics that really matter to your potential and current clients. You might even consider interviewing some of your business’ current clients, and let them put in their own words why they prefer doing business with you.

Over to you

Is blogging part of your small business’ marketing strategy? I’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Please feel free to leave a comment below.