GUEST POST- If Your Business Isn't Blogging You're Missing Out! By Matt Ringer

Photo Credit: Kristina B

Did you know that one in three Americans now read a blog at least once a month, and blog readership as a whole increased 50% over the past year?

Not only are there a lot of people out there reading blogs, they are taking action based on what they are reading. 50% of blog readers find the information useful in making purchasing decisions.

That’s a bunch of people wanting to read what you write, and then buy what you’re selling…so the question is, if you’re business isn’t blogging – why not?

Customer Connection-Experience, Transparency, Trust

Possibly the number one benefit of starting a blog for your business is the one to one customer connection you’ll be establishing. Blogs are great for making connections and fostering relationships.

The more interactive you are with your customer base the better – an engaged customer, one who feels like they know you, will more likely buy what you are selling than going to an unknown competitor.

Blogging will let your customers get to know you, and build trust through transparency. A key element in turning readers into buyers.

Advertising/Marketing/Promotion

Let’s face it, blogs are a great way to advertise and promote your products. A blog gives you the voice to tell me how great your new product is, why you are better than your competition, and reinforce your brand.

I’m not saying you should treat your blog as only another promotional tool. But as you build trust and transparency, consumers are going to be more willing to listen to your sales pitch.

In fact if you’ve built the relationship with your customers, or blog readers, your pitch won’t sound like a pitch at all in their ears. You’ll be helping them make an informed purchasing decision – everyone wins!

Bridge to Social Media

Social media is big and only getting bigger. Consider this, 60% of Americans use social media, 59% interact with companies online through social media, and 56% percent of users feel both a stronger connection with and better served by companies when they can interact with them in a social media environment.

A blog gives you that bridge to the social media phenomenon.

Your blog gives you something fresh to talk about with your social media fans, and you’ll be giving them something to talk about as well. While there are companies who are successful in social media outlets without a blog, having one will help you listen to the customer, respond to them, and engage them. In essence this will ensure you strengthen the bond with your audience, and give them that sense of connection they are looking for.

SEO Benefits

I don’t profess to be a search engine optimization expert, but I do know that search engines love new content. If your business only has a static webpage, you’re not giving the search engines the content they crave in order to rank you well. Every new blog post you make is more key words for your target market to use in order to find your products and services. You just don’t get that with a static website. Dynamic is they key, and blogging is dynamic.

Build Your Business Network

An often overlooked benefit of business blogging is the expansion of your professional network through the blog. Even though there are millions of blogs popping up each day, within your niche you’ll find they are really a close knit bunch. There is a lot of valuable networking that can be done when you enter their “blogging club”. Not only to a lot of bloggers collaborate online with each other, may you find there are networking events or meetups in your area just for business bloggers.

Demonstrate Authority

Last but certainly not least you need to remember that every day you blog, you are building an authority. As long as you know what you’re talking about (and you should – it’s your business right?) you will be reinforcing with your readers that you are an authority on the subject.

I don’t care what you sell, whether it be Russian nesting dolls or fuzzy socks with pictures of cats on them, if day after day you prove to the consumer you know your stuff they are going to buy from you instead of your less informed competitor.

In Closing

Hopefully I’ve convinced you that blogging for your business is a vital part of customer relations and sales model. The relationships you’ll be building, the service you’ll be providing, and the networking opportunities available to business bloggers are well worth the few hours a week you’ll spend writing a post.

Through blogging you’ll find that you are able to make your customers happier. They will feel more satisfied with your products and services, and you’ll be building a relationship ripe for repeat business and word of mouth marketing.

Best of luck and here’s to your blogging and business success,
Matt
http://smallbizbee.com

Smallbizbee.com is dedicated to providing small businesses and entrepreneurs the information they need in order to be successful – Or as we say, we’re making a big deal out of small business!

A big THANKS to Matt of Smallbizbee.com from Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

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