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A straightforward question: is blogging a waste of time?
Yes and no. Blogging can be a wonderful thing, if you get it right. If you get it wrong, then it probably isn’t adding any value to your business.
Common blog mistakes:
Not writing for your readers
Not working out who your target audience is before you get started. Think about what they want to read about, rather than what you want to tell them. What will grab their attention and then won’t disappoint.
A boring blog
Inject some humour, some personality and new information. This is your chance to step away from formal business letters, reports and official documents, include anecdotes, give the reader insight into behind the scenes of your world and business.
Blog crime number three: not posting
An out of date page with a blog from a year ago isn’t a good look. It’s like the hokey cokey, you are in or you are out.
Not sharing your blog
Post a link to your blog on social media channels, share with blogging communities, add a link in your newsletter, tag those who you reference in the blog, tag the event you are referencing, post in forums if your blog is relevant. Make sure your audience have more than one opportunity to see your blog content. People use social media at different times, they might skip an email, reuse and reinforce your message and your content.
Typos
Not proof reading or editing your blog. Easily done, but worth the extra time.
Get better
Learn as you go along, you will see the stats on views, what you are getting right or wrong for your audience. Everything improves the more you do it, just keep on doing it.
The value of blogs:
Blogs give you and your business the opportunity to be informal. A blog can be the hole for your round pegs. Your website might be very simple, you might not have a newsletter, the blog is place where you can share some of your misfit content.
Credibility. If a potential client is checking out your business online, a loaded blog full of insightful and valuable information which dates back for some time implies that you know your stuff.
SEO/Google loves fresh content.
An outlet to tell your business story; new product or service launches, round up from events, seasonal activity, promotion, profile new staff and their specialist skills, fun times in the office and more.
Keep your business relevant, jump on the bandwagon of trends, be a head of the game, be part of the conversation.
Provide something useful, share, give people a taste of your product, service or people.
Give readers a reason to come back and visit your blog again. Make it good!
ROI: blogs aren’t expensive to create, whether standalone or on the menu bar of your existing website, blogs should be well thought out, short in length (I aim for around 500 words), thus not taking up too much of your time.
Last minute tips:
Make the time to create a content calendar for your blog. Where you can schedule blogs in, decide on the subject in advance so you have regular content in the right sequence. Ad hoc bits and pieces, events and ideas might crop up, add these in. A current news story in your specialist area might prompt you to take to the keyboard, be timely don’t wait until it’s all blown over.
Don’t forget about vlogs! Video is still the future they say, so get practising in front of the camera.
Podcasts also continue to be a favourite. Why not give them a go?
About Virtual Executive Services MK
Virtual Executive Services MK is a Virtual Assistant service based in Milton Keynes, supporting clients across the UK. Specialising in admin, marketing and social media support for small businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs. Find out more.