Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
10 Pointers on How Small Businesses Can Create, Promote, and Maintain a Blog
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by Bryan Anderson
The word "blog", short for "weblog," holds various meanings to
online users. Individuals use this specific web format to talk
about personal situations or document their life. Academic
professionals use blogs to scribe and publicize certain thoughts,
theories, or experiments they are working on. Celebrities find it
easier to connect with their fans with social media and a blog.
Internet culture has significantly shifted due to the explosion of
personal, professional, and academic blogging.
When it comes to enterprise, what benefits lie in wait for small
businesses? Taking a new route for small enterprises can be risky,
but sure can pay off. In fact, the adoption of blogs has already
boosted small business development in the past year
and continues at an upward trend.
Whether you ask clients, employees, enthusiasts, or SEO specialists, all these groups can give you
a few reasons why your small business blog benefits them. Here are
ten tips to remember when establishing a small business blog:
Start with a plan, a purpose, and a passion.
Like any marketing effort, set goals and objectives, follow an
established timeline, and proceed with intent. The purpose of the
blog should reflect your small business intentions - Drawing
traffic? Building a set of keywords? Reporting internal events?
Documenting the company's success? The writer will have an easier
time if he or she is passionate and educated about the subject
matter.
No matter the size of your audience, content is
king. Writing for 10 or 10,000, your target audience
thrives off new, relevant content. If you find certain news items
relate to your small business, mention it and write about it,
urging your readers to give their two cents. A successful, genuine
blog should bring a proposed value to every blog post.
Concentrate on specific keywords to build
traffic. From an SEO standpoint, your blog will help your
small business achieve front page status for certain keywords.
Before brainstorming for blog ideas, have a few words in mind that
you'd like to cover or include. This way, you can bring valuable
content to the site while building search engine ranking.
Experiment with different forms of media. For
most small businesses, blogging may simply include writing a post
or two a week. For those with more experience, try including
pictures or video within blog posts (or include your own video or
picture creations). This can spark the interest of more viewers and
get returning visitors more engaged.
Use a familiar, accessible platform. Wordpress
and Blogger are common platforms that have helped the common
internet user become a prolific blogging machine. For your small
business blog, use a platform that fits the attitude and purpose.
Choose an easy-to-use interface that permits the appropriate amount
of accessibility.
Post to social media and bookmarking websites.
Sites like Digg, Reddit, or Delicious are great bookmarking sites
to draw general traffic to your blog. Putting your content out
there can greatly increase the chances of returning visitors. Also,
your social media audience would love to hear what you have to blog
about!
Interact with similar bloggers. You won't be
the only person going through occasional writer's block. Follow and
support other online bloggers - get involved in their discussions
and posts. Adding value to other sites can bring great things to
your blog and small business site, as people will observe your
interactions online.
Respond to comments. You are writing for a
specific audience... so if they take the time to make a comment or
ask questions, make sure to respond promptly. Small businesses have
the opportunity to address problems on a personal level and should
utilize every way possible to stay connected with their past,
current, and potential consumers.
Monitor where your material is being found or
discussed. Internet users talk... and not always in a
convenient spot for your small business. Using tools like Google
Analytics can help a small business monitor any conversations away
from their site. Twitter and Facebook are also important platforms
to take a look at when considering small business reputation and
content following.
Add your own touch to the blog-make it unique.
You probably have favorite and least favorite blogs-what does your
small business blog bring to the table that others don't? Is it the
content, the design, the discussion? Give your readers (and
potential customers) incentive to talk or spread the word about
your company and its blog.
Until next time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
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