How to Start a Blog for your Business

How to Start a Blog for Your Business
In an age of ever-evolving social media platforms, blogging is still an impactful way to drive customer awareness of your small business. Your business’s blog can be a place to share your brand’s story, showcase new products, and share peeks behind the scenes.
Even as social media platforms fluctuate in algorithms and popularity, your own blog posts will remain squarely on your website where potential customers can always find you.
Why Blog?
Your blog posts can turn semi-curious potential customers into e-mail list subscribers, or even buyers — now or in the future.
For example: let’s say your company sells soy candles. You can write a blog post on “Why Soy Candles are Better for Your Health,” detailing the research and reasoning behind your claim.
When readers find that blog post, read it, and find value from your words… they are already on your business’s website. Perhaps they feel inspired to look around your site, or buy a candle, or add their name to your e-mail list.
Perhaps three months from now, when they’re frantically searching for a perfect gift for their sister, a one-time blog reader will use the coupon code you sent them to purchase a set of candles as a gift. Perhaps their sister loves the candles so much that she joins your monthly subscription program and tells all her friends about your company.
All because of one blog post that you took the time to write.
Blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but every time you create a new post you plant a seed that can blossom into future customers, brand awareness, and loyalty. Here are some additional reasons to start a blog for your company.
Getting Started
If your business already has a website, add your blog to your existing website. This will keep all your web traffic in one place, and it will reduce confusion among customers.
People are busy and have a lot of things on their minds at any given time, so if they must leave your website and navigate themselves to a completely new place to read your blog… they probably won’t. Make it as simple as possible for readers to access your content, and link back clearly between your blog and other parts of your website (such as your About, Contact, and Product pages).
If you’re starting from scratch, consider using WordPress to launch your blog. Here is a great step-by-step resource for new bloggers that includes practical advice around the logistics of starting your blog.
Keywords & SEO
Search Engine Optimization, otherwise known as SEO, involves the actions that you take to improve your website’s visibility in search engine rankings.
When you use keywords and phrases in your website that users are likely to search, you can increase your web traffic.
The titles you choose for your blog posts are one important component of SEO.
For example: If you title your blog post “Why Soy Candles are Better for Your Health,” readers with questions about the health effects of soy candles will click on it. If you write the exact same blog post, but you use a vague or unrelated title like “The Burning Warmth and Joy of Soy Candles,” those readers will breeze right past your post in favor of someone else’s informative article.
Here is a great resource that covers simple SEO and keyword tips.
Themes and Design
If you use WordPress for your blog, you’re in luck — there are thousands of themes available to give your blog a unique look and feel that matches your business.
Here is a resource of free themes, templates, and examples of how you can design your blog to be both user-friendly and visually appealing. You can also find more downloadable themes here.
Even if you don’t use WordPress, you can explore these themes to inspire your creativity and generate inspiration on how to improve your online presence.
Creative Market is another fantastic resource for affordable design elements that will make your brand shine, including website themes, stock photos, fonts, and social media templates.
Generating Blog Post Ideas
Because your blog is associated with your business, you want to keep your posts relevant to your audience.
As a small local business, you have a creative edge: your customers want to see the quirky personalities, stories, and pride behind your company. Your customers value these things, which is why they love your business. You have freedom to be creative, develop your own voice, and share real stories.
Here are some blog post ideas to get you started:
* What do people always ask you? Answer a common question you receive in a blog post, and deliver real value to your readers.
* Tell a story. Why did you start your business? What has been the most surprising part of your entrepreneurial journey? Have you ever had a heartwarming interaction with a customer?
* Feature one of your bestselling products in a post, and explain why people love it so much.
* Give us a peek behind the scenes. What did your space look like mid-renovation? What happens during an average day in your business? How exactly are your products made?
* * *
Starting a blog for your business can be an exciting way to attract new customers, increase your visibility, and share valuable resources with your audience.
As potential customers read your posts and connect with your brand, they will remember your company when it’s time to make a purchase.
And one last tip: don’t be afraid to mention your latest deals or popular products in your blog posts. Once your readers fall in love with your blog, they may be ready to buy right now — so make it as easy as possible for them!