Another vintage Tumblemoose post. Two years old and still applies!
When I first heard the term “blog” I surmised that it had something to do with the internet and a log or journal. It didn’t take but Google and a moment to discover Weblogs and what was to me, a whole new world. I have to admit, I wasn’t taken with the idea too much. It seemed to me that it was most likely a bunch of personal ranting and frivolity.
Fast forward a few years and ahhh, I’m so much older and wiser. Well, older anyway. I have discovered the blogosphere, and it is good. Not all of it of course, but there are some golden needles in this haystack.
This morning I became inspired when I read a post on Hunter Nuttall that was full of great information about blog traffic. I examined why it is that I have a blog on my business site and the post brought home why it is critically important to blog your business site.
So, here we go:
- It puts a warm face on a cold computer monitor. Guess what? There’s a human hiding back there! So much content is designed to be professional and cool, working to the lowest denominator. We can’t be friendly! That’s not professional. Hogwash. For the struggling entrepreneur, putting some personailty on the business site may be the deciding factor for a prospective client. For the mega-corporate site, a regular blog can show the consumer that yes, there are humans working within the corporate structure.
- A blog keeps the website fresh. If each time the consumer goes to a site there is a blog entry dated within the last day or so, they will be more likely to trust the content of the entire site as being updated and valid. A trusting consumer is a purchasing consumer.
- Blogging brings a degree of interactivity to your site. Most people browse the web for information – a passive activity. Having a blog with a “leave a comment” section prompts a viewer to take action. If a blog post has inspired the visitor in some way, their ability to leave a comment on the blog may spur them into other action – say, making a purchase.
- A blog is a perfect means for delivering new information. Has something changed in your marketplace? A blog can inform the consumer and makes an impression that this business is right on top of what is happening in their field. This builds credibility. Credibility builds loyalty and loyal viewers often turn into loyal buyers.
- A blog posting can solicit feedback. Some folks just need the right permission to give their thoughts about your business, products or website. Post a blog asking for ideas and watch the comments roll in. Implement some of the suggested changes and folks will know and remember the website. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Standing above the fray. Making your place special and memorable.
- Blog readers are often subscribers. Subscribers are folks telling you that they like what they see and they want more. Give them more on a regular basis and they have a reason to come back, again and again.
- Blogs are expected. These days, a lot of folks searching the web expect to see a blog section on a website. If there isn’t one there, landing times may be measured in nano-seconds.
- If a blog isn’t expected, give them one! Would you expect to see a blog at Wal-Mart? Probably not. If you went to the home page and saw a big ‘ol link to their blog would you check it out? I probably would. Geez, what would a major retailer have to blog about? And in case any big-wig webmaster from Wal-Mart is paying attention, burying your blog link in the footer with a bunch of admin stuff is kinda ridiculous. Put it right up front! Put it on the top!
- A good post will highlight a service offered and why the viewer needs it – now! Use a blog on your business to highlight a top ten list or how-to that pertains to a service you offer. Again, credibility is established and this may result in to an action by the viewer. Make no mistake. Action is the key. You want action. You need action. Write a motivated post to help your viewer make the next step.
- A blog gets you on your website nearly every day. You need to know what is going on in your world. Take a step back and look at your site how the world views it. If you go through the trouble of building a website and then ignore it, you are setting you and your business down a path of destruction. C’mon. It’s your baby. Feed it. Love it. Nurture it and it will grow up to be something to be proud of.
Also be sure to check out this great post at Blabweb: How Can a Blog Help Your Business?
George, I went through a similar transition, from thinking blogs were just online diaries, to thinking of them as essential for any person or business that wants to have an online presence. These are all great reasons for people to pay attention to them.
BTW, the link to Wal-Mart’s blog is pretty ridiculous!
Thanks for the link!
Excellent post. I’ve been thinking of changing the website of the company I work for into a blog to keep it fresh and update it more easily. Your post has just impounded my reasons for doing this! I’m going to start on it on monday, no more thinking on it.
Having a blog also gets you into the ‘blogosphere’ or whatever you want to call it – which means you can learn a lot more about your trade as well.
Well put, George. I especially like the human aspect of blogging you so eloquently expressed in point 1. Blogging has put me in touch with a whole range of online friends whom I’ve never met face to face, but to whom I’m nonetheless connected.
.-= Sharon Hurley Hall´s last blog ..Freelance Writing – Marketing Yourself as a Consultant =-.
Hi Sharon,
Thanks, and I’m glad I realized early on the importance of community!
George
Completely agreed. I know some small businesses that are slowly catching on and I’ve managed to convince a large business college that blogging is the way to go. Now I just have to remind them that blogging is a marathon – not a sprint – and that result will come as long as you keep working at it.
.-= Danielle McGaw´s last blog ..What Does the “Free” in “Freelance” Mean to You? =-.
Hi there Danielle,
Thanks for coming by and commenting. Good on you for the college gig. I’ll bet the hard part is convincing them that slow and steady wins the race!
George
George,
While I don’t use my blog for business purposes, but rather solely for expressing myself creatively, I thought your suggestions were EXCELLENT.
As an online consumer, I do check out the blogs on business sites. It bothers me greatly when they aren’t available or updated. I agree that blogs personalize a business and give you an idea of what the service is or what the person offering the services is about. I like this…a lot.
BTW I sort of arrived at your site from Blogging without a Blog. I always enjoy reading your comments at Barbara’s site.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..One Cute Squirrel =-.
Yay Sara!
I’m very happy to see you here. I love Barbara’s site and indeed the comments are almost more fun than the blog itself (the mark of a great blog, IMHO).
Thanks for the nice words, and I am far more likely to patronize a business that has figured out that online spending is huge and that they need to be interactive by catering to folks through a blog.
Hope you have a great week!
George
As usual you were ahead of the curve George, especially with regards to number 8. We are seeing more and more big business get into the social aspects of what they do – and guess what? The consumer is really eating it up. Whether it be a blog, Twitter, Fanpages, etc. the ones that have figured out how to master the social piece of business are reaping big rewards becuase people want to do business with people they feel like they know and trust.
Lovin’ the classics!
Matt
Matt! You scoundrel. Where in the wide world of sports have you been, hoss? Miss you around the homestead and Little Joe is just beside himself! I hope you’re prepping for some kind of world domination tour, my friend.
Good to see you again.
George
Every so often I’m required to do more work than humanly possible, with unreasonable demands, and unrealistic timelines…I thought I started my own business avoid all of that!
I should be out of the weeds soon.
Matt
.-= Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog ..7 Ways to Save Big Money When Starting Your Business =-.
Dang. it sounds like a writing gig if you ask me.
I’m pulling for ya, snookums. Hang in there.
George
Thanks George, this list will be useful in making my pitches this week. I would add:
11. Fresh content gets your website noticed by the search engine bots and blogs provide an easy format for delivering that fresh content on a regular basis.
.-= Tammi Kibler´s last blog ..Free Mind Mapping Software Online =-.
Hello, Tammi.
#11 is a perfect addition. I’m glad these may help you in getting some businesses to hop on board!
George