If you’re in business — any business — you need a business blog.
Do you wonder why so many people are blogging these days? It doesn’t matter whether your business is online or off, using a business blog to promote your products and services should not be overlooked. The rest of the world is online, it’s where people go to get answers to their questions and solutions to their problems. So, since that’s where the people are, that’s where you should be, too.
When it comes to setting up a business blog to promote your wares, there is one very important thing you need to understand. While the purpose of your blog is to sell your product or service, do not use your business blog as a sales page. Meaning… don’t fill all of your blog posts and other information with links for people to click to purchase from you.
When you first set up your business blog, the intent is to give your customers and clients information that they need.
This will keep your current customers purchasing from you, and will attract new prospects that you can develop a relationship with. So in essence, your business blog is really all about building relationships.
I know… we hear this all the time. But you’d probably be very surprised to know how many bloggers fail online because they are filled with sneaky little sales “pitches” everywhere you turn.
Don’t get me wrong on this point. You do want to sell. But if there’s all selling and no telling, you will fail.
So what are some things you could add to your business blog that your readers may be interested in?
1. Hi-light someone elses’ success.
I know this may seem a little unnecessary, but what better way to grab someone’s attention than to share how they have found that using your product or service has solved a problem for them.
2. A message from the… (owner, president, ceo…)
Whoever is at the helm of your business should have something to say to those who are doing business with the company… or you. A “president’s message” is something that most people who do business with you will want to read. A business blog helps your clients get a feel for the pulse of what you do, which makes them more comfortable to give up their cash.
3. Include breaking industry news in your business blog.
It’s always nice to keep your readers up to date on what’s going on within your niche. Use your business blog as a place your readers can continue to come to gain the most recent news about the industry you represent. If your information is solid, this will keep them coming back.
4. Polls and Surveys
Finding out what your clients and prospects really want from you is one of the best moves you can make for your business. This will not only give you a good clue of what you should be writing about, but could also give you an idea of a product or service to add to your arsenal.
5. Announce New Products
Making major announcements of new products and services on your business blog is another good way let your followers know of new things you have available for purchase. Hopefully, you’ve started a list and keeping it growing with your new prospects. Announcing new products will keep your current clients from drifting away and could bring some back that may have already flown the coop.
6. Tips on benefits and how to use your products and services.
This is a point that your clients should already by aware of, but it never hurts to either reiterate, or show new uses for your services. Everything is constantly evolving, and your services or products should do the same. Keeping your clients reminded of the benefits will keep them excited about why they purchased in the first place. Using your business blog for an instructional tips will keep your visitors tuned in.
7. Schedule of Events
If you’re not having special events, it’s a good time to start. By events, I don’t necessarily mean live events (which, of course, would be great if your business is local). I mean events like webinars, coupon sales, contests, live calls… anything that can create a synergistic atmosphere between your business and your customers.
8. FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
If your poll or survey happens to ask questions, be sure to include the answers in a FAQs page on your business blog. Your clients and prospects will let you know exactly what information they’re looking for. You can actually write an entire post explaining or answering some of their questions, but at the very least, be sure to include a Frequently Asked Questions page.
These are just a few ideas that you can use in your business blog. The bottom line is, whatever business you’re in, you need to write things that will attract people to you.
You attract clients and customers by giving people exactly what they want. This will then attract them to you, and ultimately to your product or service. Take some time to brainstorm topics from these ideas and start writing for your business blog to your hearts content.
