Business Blog Basics
You’ve no doubt heard the hype about what a blog can do for your business.
You’ve heard that business blogs make it easy to get your marketing message onto the web.
It’s true.
You’ve heard that- unlike other “easy to use” web publishing platforms – business blogs display that marketing message in way that the search engines LOVE.
That’s true too.
You’ve heard that business blogs are a great way to generate a fresh stream of leads.
Also true.
Maybe you’ve heard that business blogs are a great way to get publicity.
Definitely true.
Business blogs have gotten a LOT of press in the past few years – but most business owners still don’t know the difference between a blog and a web site.
Let’s start at the beginning.
A “blog” is just another type of web site. Chances are you’ve visited a lot of web sites which were running on “blog” software.
Long ago in the dinosaur days of the web- blogging software was referred to as CMS or Content Management Systems.
Way back in the 1990′s when the internet as we know it was shiny and new – publishing content to the web required a solid knowledge of HTML, FTP and about a dozen other “alphabet soup” terms. Content Management Software was created to simplify the process.
The early users of this easy to use web publishing software used it to keep online daily diaries – which were known as web logs. Web blogs got shortened to “blogs” and it wasn’t long before those early bloggers were making headlines. Millions of other people jumped on board, followed suit and began blogging.
Business minded bloggers soon discovered that their blog posts were getting great search engine page rankings (SERPS). These business minded bloggers were veterans of the “old school” web. They had previously spent a lot of time and energy creating content, uploading files, coding in HTML and trying to get visitors to come to their business web sites.
These early business blogging pioneers quickly discovered that their blogs – especially WordPress blogs – were not only easy to use – but the search engines LOVED them. They found their blog posts getting great SERPS with a fraction of the time and effort it used to take with their “old fashioned” web site.
Your business blog can:
- Grab attention with search engine friendly content
- Create rapport with prospective customers
- Build and establish trust
- Provide valuable how to advice
- Establish credibility and thought leadership as well as
- Call consumers to action.
Facebook and Twitter are great ways to make an initial connection with consumers – but in the course of 140 characters or less – all you can do is broadcast the marketing message equivalent of a pick up line using those two mediums.
While Facebook and Twitter are good for “picking up” consumers – if you want to connect – you’ll need a business blog to give buyers the information they need BEFORE they contact you.
Your business blog makes it easy for you to write articles (known as blog posts) which can educate consumers on WHY they should choose your business.
Many Acumen Web Services clients are delighted to hear from customers that their business blog was the REASON they chose to do business with them. Other Acumen Web Service business bloggers have been delighted to be contacted by national media sources – gaining valuable PR exposure for their business – all because they had a business blog.
Contact us to learn more.
