Jesse McFarland
Blogging can have a significant impact on a business owner’s online presence. There are major search engine optimization (SEO) advantages when you have a blog located on your small or medium business website.
Many people don’t realize that an internal blogpost is an additional webpage on your website. Having more pages and more relevant content on your website, adds lots value for SEO and shows credibility. Although blogging is a valuable SEO strategy, it should be used to specifically engage your ideal buyer persona. If your ideal audience is a specific type of customer, than it is critical that the content of your blog is written to deliver interest or value for specifically for this type of customer.
Below are unique tips for creating a business blog campaign, tailored to small and medium business owners. Learn how to use your small business website’s blog to generate leads and website traffic.
Focus on Your Current Audience First.
I say this because you most likely know something about your current audience. Writing for customers who’ve already bought from you should be easy because you have some knowledge of what they already like. Social media is another great tool to use here — you can do some research on social networks to find out specific interests within your social media network.
Also, using social media platforms is an excellent way of testing your content. For example: If you post an interesting topic on Facebook and the post receives a significant amount of comments and likes, then there might be a good opportunity for a blogpost. You might also look into communities like reddit to see what people in your industry find interesting or useful.
Blog Regularly, BUT, Quality over Quantity.
Being consistent with blogging is an absolute priority. However, you don’t want to water-down the quality of your content just so you can get something out there. The best blogposts are: interesting, relevant to your business’ website and SEO friendly.
- Have a Goal. Having a goal with your blogposts is always a good idea. For example: “After reading this blogpost, my goal is for the reader to learn at least one unique blogging technique.”
- Research. Pay attention to what’s trending. If you find a topic that relates to your business, industry, or subscriber, then you may have an opportunity to reach a large audience.
- Have a Style. Every business is different, but having a particular author style can help with engagement and building a following.
- Proofread. This should be rather obvious, but it’s always a good idea to have someone else proofread your blogpost before posting.
Every business is different, but having a particular author style can help with engagement and building a following.
Content Calendar.
After researching your topics, you should schedule a time when to write and when to post your content. This not only keeps you accountable for being consistent, but also allows enough time to pass between your posts. With further research, you can choose the best time and days that works best for you or when it is the most engaging time for your audience. A smart practice is to plan out your content at least a month ahead. Trending is the exception here.
Find What’s Trending.
If you find a trending topic that is relevant to your website, business, industry, audience, etc., then quickly writing a blogpost about this subject can add immediate recognition to your blog.
- Timing. If it’s a hot topic, the quicker you can get this posted, the better.
- Controversial or Professional? If you find a topic that has controversy, it might be a good opportunity to discuss. However, keep in mind that not everybody agrees with your opinion. Try to keep the discussion professional and objective, report the facts and let people debate in the comments.
- Trending Internet Tools: What’s Trending, Yahoo Trending Now, Buzzfeed, Twitter Trends, Google Trends. These are just some of the numerous online tools to catch trending content.
- News & Events. Watch your local news and pay attention to events near you. Blogging about local events relevant to your business is an excellent way to provide useful content to your ideal audience.
Blogging about local events relevant to your business is an excellent way to provide useful content to your ideal audience.
Promote.
You just posted a blogpost, what’s next??? Promote, promote, promote!!! Myself and many other marketers use a general guideline that we call the 20/80 rule. It basically means 20% of your time should be spent creating the blogpost, and then 80% should be used to promote the post.
- Social Media. Post on your active social media outlets. Then reach out to any social media influencers you know and ask them to share.
- Email Campaign. Reach out using your email database and let people know. If you don’t want to send too many emails to your contacts, then include your blogpost link with your monthly newsletters or promotions.
- Network. This is a long-term strategy but a powerful one. Find other bloggers in your industry and add relevant comments on their blogs or social media networks. SMB’s who network is likely to support each other. Mention other blogs in your blog posts, some of them will be glad to share your useful content.
- SEO. Optimizing your blogpost is an absolute must for receiving organic traffic to your blog.
- Tell your friends. Reach out to the people you know who will support you.
- Respond. Be thankful and respond to every comment. The more engagement, the better.
Mention other blogs in your blog posts, some of them will be glad to share your useful content.
Bonus Round.
- Use Images. An applicable header image can help encourage people to read your post. Also, fitting relevant images within the blog content helps influence the reader to keep reading.
- Call To Action. Having a call to action is a must. However, you want to keep this subtle. Coming off as too aggressive can turn off your readers.
- Patience. It takes time. Nobody becomes popular overnight. Stay consistent and good things should happen.
This article originally appeared on SmartReach Digital.
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