Should you start a blog for your business or not? If you haven't already, you must ask yourself this important question, especially as we start the new year. There are only 3 answers:
- Yes, this makes sense and I'll start this week.
- Yes, but not yet.
- No, my business wouldn't lend itself to creative blog content that readers would love.
What kinds of businesses should respond with Answer #1?
- Consultants
- Experts
- Authors
- Speakers
- Solo businesses
- Service businesses
- Businesses with a need to educate customers
- Businesses with associated lifestyle communities
- Businesses with social missions
If you're in any kind of business that has an educational component, you should definitely set up a business blog. You'll be able to reach and teach more people than you ever dreamed of.
Who should respond with Answer #3? Many businesses with products might have a hard time writing about their products without sounding like a commercial. No one wants to read a commercial.
Stop and think hard before you start a blog. Blogs are about conversations, not selling. The selling happens after you build relationships with readers. That is very easily broken when the sole objective of the blog is to sell.
Who should answer "Yes, but not yet?" Procrastinators and excuse-makers. People who have to analyze things and get them perfect before taking action. People who can afford not to attract new business.
Perhaps my judgment is a bit harsh, but we've seen too many professionals think instead of act. To us, that's a waste of money and lost traffic they could be building as they learn to get blogging "right."
Conclusion: it's better not to start blogging if you only want to sell your products and make money. And, it's better to start blogging before you know what/how/when/ to do what, perfectly. We've all made blogging mistakes, but we're building relationships, a reputation on the 'Net, we're making money, and so far, no one's told us to shut down and go away.
Related Post:
Low Cost, High Return Marketing Tool
All professional service firms and independent professionals should have a blog. No excuses! = )
Posted by: Shama Hyder | Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 10:24 AM