***Why Business Blogs Are Still Important

When I first started blogging back in 2009 it was a brave new world out there. Blogging was the big thing in branding. Then after about two years blogging as a fad faded. That didn't mean blogging wasn't important any more, it just meant that marketers stopped pushing blogging as the end all be all means to getting leads, prospects and customers.

Blogging may not be as popular a training subject as it was a few years ago yet it remains an important component in your marketing plan, and here's 5 reasons why:

No matter what kind of company you have, you need to be blogging. Even if you don't consider yourself a writer or blogger, it's essential because your business blog offers another touch point with your customers. It's easy to do and there are several good reasons you should do it.

1. A More Personal Connection
Like social media, your blog gives you a chance to connect with your customers on a more personal level. While your website is a static page that simply tells them about your business, your blog is interactive. It's a way to start a dialog where they can leave comments and get to know you better. Your blog gives your business a human face. Make sure that you use it that way and reply to each comment your readers leave.

2. Expertise and Credibility
One of the best things about a business blog is that it gives you an opportunity to establish your expertise and build your reputation. You can blog about things you know. For example, if you're a law firm, blog about simple legal questions people have. If you're a cleaning company, share some easy house cleaning tips. Your blog shows your website visitors what you know and this engenders trust in your business.

3. Customized Marketing
Blogging offers a much more effective and lower cost way to promote your business than other methods. If you want to place advertisements on other sites, this costs a bit of money. Other costly methods don't make the same kind of impact that a blog written by you makes. You also get information on your target market through their reading behavior and comments.

4. Search Engine Benefits
Adding a blog to your static website is a great way to attract traffic from search engines. The search engines favor sites that have fresh, updated content. If you write just one blog post per week, you'll see more searches coming your way, especially if you choose a few good keywords for each post. Write two or three blog posts a week and you'll really see your traffic climb.

5. Visibility for Your Products and Services
Through your blog, you can tell your customers about your products and services. Let them know about discounts, special offers, new inventory items and offline events that you're participating in. You can also add a feed to your social media sites so that every blog you post shows up there as well.

Now, if writing gives you a case of the willies, don't despair. Blogging isn't like writing the Great American Novel. Focus on the wants, needs, interests and questions of your customers. Write short, conversational posts as if you're speaking directly to them. Pick something related to your business and share your expertise with them. Your business blog doesn't need to reinvent the wheel; it just needs to be helpful and engaging.

I hope that you find the posts I share here at VaNessaDuplessie.com to be informative and valuable with nuggets that help you in your business. That's my goal. I want you to come back often and to think of me as one of your resources when it comes to marketing your business.

I ask that you please leave me a comment and let me know what you think, and please share this post. You never know who it might help.