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.

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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