One of the most common requests I get is: Can I have a blog, please?. Every time I see it I smile. Don’t get me wrong, I love blogs and think they have a lot of uses. But I also think a lot of people have a blog for the sake of having one. Are you blogging with a strategy?
If your blog was a highway or motorway, where would it be headed?
Pros and Cons of a Blog
A blog is a blessing and a curse I think. It sets some expectations of both you and your readers (i.e. customers) that you must fulfill. Here’s some pros and cons for you to consider.
- They are “fresh” content that shows your site is alive and well.
- Search engines love them and will send potential customers your way.
- They give you a terrific platform to open up discussion about your topic/niche.
- They demand regular, frequent attention.
- They take a lot of time and work to be successful.
- It is easy to lose focus and veer far off-topic.
What’s your Strategy?
Consider the following thoughts in deciding whether or not you should have a blog, and if you do, if you’re writing a blog to produce results.
- Who is the perfect customer for this material. Are you writing for somebody or everybody? Hate to tell you, but everybody isn’t interested. But somebody special might be.
- How often will you update? Decide and stick to it. Mark your calendar or diary if you have to.
- What topics will you cover? (In most blogging software, these are called categories). Stick to them whenever possible.
- Who will be doing the writing? Do you have time to do it, will your tour guides or staff (if you have them) pick this up, or will you pay a writer to help?
- What are the goals of the blog: to attract attention, to generate discussion, or to promote and sell? I hope it’s a combination of all three.
- It’s not all about you: invite others in for perspective with interviews and guest articles.
Having a blog, just like an other social media or community campaign, is a commitment. Small businesses seem to realise this for other outlets like launching a forum, but the commitment is lost on the idea of a blog.
The Lesson Learned: Start a blog for a reason. For the right reasons. Consider those reasons every time you write an article or post.
Learn More
If you want to take advantage of all the good things about a blog while avoiding many of the pitfalls, have a look at our Make Your Blog More Popular one-on-one coaching package. Whether you have a blog that needs a fresh perspective or want to get your new blog off on the right foot, this package will help your blog support your business goals.
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