What is a BLOG?
noun: blog; plural noun: blogs
1. a personal website or web page on which an individual records opinions, links to other sites, etc. on a regular basis.
Source: www.google.com
Originally, Blog sites started as a kind-of online website diary. Predominately used by individuals, they would write about their personal lives, hobbies, clubs, kids, pets and experiences to share online with family and friends. Like a long-winded version of Facebook.
Applying BLOGGING to BUSINESS
These days, in our attempt to appease the Search Engines, Blogging has become the THING to do. Blogging also allows you to communicate short (or long) articles about a range of topics associated to your industry. Blogs can also be a combination of and image/s and words.
The benefits of blogging
There are many benefits in favour of Blogging, this is why so many people do it and almost every website designer, developer and search engine specialist will suggest it.
You can use a BLOG to establish yourself as ‘the expert’ in your industry. If you are the ‘Garden Guru’, ‘Marketing Mogul’ or ‘Catering Queen’ in your area, the article/s online can extend your potential reach.
A kept-up-to-date Blog also encourages visitors back to your website. E.g. a catering website offer free recipes or car audio retailer providing product reviews on new accessories. Blogging also gives you a great way to connect to existing customers.
Blog articles also give the search engines something to feast on (the search engines like current content). Keeping your article at approximately 300 words with some images is
ideal. Keeping the content related to one topic is also important. This can help increase the chances of you appearing in the search engines.
Check with your website provider…most recently created websites are capable of having a Blog page added in without too much expense. Once established, if you have access to the backend of your website to make edits, you should be able to add your own Blog articles at no cost.
Here are some tips:
1. Provide information that helps your readers.
2. Keep it professional & entertaining.
3. Blog on a regular basis – once a week or fortnight is manageable for most small business.
4. Don’t write just one Blog article and then get too busy. Schedule time.
5. Keep the search engines in mind and incorporate keywords and phrases that you want to rank for into your article wording.
6. Pick one topic and stick to it.
7. Provide images, diagrams, video content – most people crave visual stimuli.
8. Do not copy – Be aware of copyright laws. Be original and reference other people’s work when applicable.
Other things you can Blog about:
¿ Organisations/charities that your business is involved with/support.
¿ New staff, new services, new products.
¿ Interesting research results relevant to your industry.
¿ Educational/entertaining YouTube videos or diagrams.
¿ Industry related DIY instructions.
¿ Step by step instructions
¿ Product reviews
For further information, please feel free to email Karen ~ The Webgirl.
