Yes, You Do Have Time to Blog!

OK, I just had to share this second guest post from Rich Brooks. I too, get this all the time and my response is just about the same...

Yes, You Do Have Time to Blog!

One of the common refrains I hear from people is that "I don't have time to blog."

On the surface, this seems believable. What small business owner isn't over-worked, whether it's with marketing, sales, bookkeeping, managing people, making the coffee, buying the computers, sending out proposals, answering the phones, taking out the garbage, and every other task that fills our days from the moment we hit the office (whether in or out of our house) to the moment we shut down the computer for the day?

And still, I call "B.S."

Because if you're a small business owner like I am, then blogging is something you can always fit into your day. I'm not saying it's easy. I'm not octomom (dignity in check, thanks), but my wife and I do have kids, and a work/life balance is important to us.

You see, blogging isn't some self-indulgent activity; it's investing in the future of your business. Blogging increases your search engine visibility, establishes your credibility, and generates inbound leads. In my opinion, it's probably the best marketing tool you have at your disposal, and once you get it set up it's nearly free.

Unlike other required tasks (phone calls, meetings and making the coffee, for example), you can blog any time. In fact, I recommend doing it in the off hours so you can follow up on all the leads active blogging will deliver to you during your normal business day.

Here's how to get it done:

• Write a blog post before the kids get up, or after you've put them to bed. (No kids? Then no excuse. Seriously, this is the time to be blogging like there's no tomorrow because feedings in the middle of the night can kill your creativity.)
• Give up one night of TV a week and pump out two or three blog posts, and deliver them Monday, Wednesday and Friday the following week.
• Review your Google alerts for your targeted keywords and write brief posts while eating at your desk two days a week.
• Use a voice-to-text tool while on the treadmill and speak your next blog post (85% less weird if you have a home gym.)

Listen, this is your business. You're an entrepreneur. No one said this was going to be easy. A blog isn't some toy, it's a business tool that's going to deliver qualified leads to your Web site. If you'd rather watch American Idol that's fine; just hope your competition feels the same way you do.

Tweet

Rich Brooks is founder and president of flyte new media, a Web design and Internet marketing firm in Portland, Maine. His monthly flyte log email newsletter and company blog focus on Web marketing topics such as search engine optimization, blogs, social media, email marketing, and building Web sites that sell. He is currently an Expert Blogger at FastCompany.com and a regular contributor at SocialMediaExaminer.com.

Rich is a co-founder of Social Media FTW, an organization putting on conferences and events to educate small businesses and non-profits about the power of social media marketing. He is the "tech guru" on WCSH Channel 6's evening news show, 207, and teaches a Web marketing course for entrepreneurs at the University of Southern Maine's Center for Continuing Education.

image by Shutterstock

Comments

[dotCOMreport.com]

So true. And blogging is always something you should have ideas for. It's my favorite platform for reaching potential customers and can be financially successful while still relatively easy to maintain. Thanks for the reminder.

[Bev]

Thank you. This is so apt, it could have been written for me. Now please excuse me whilst I go and sort my life out.

[Nikki Pilkington]

Fantastic post and exactly what I try to tell people - have posted in a few places to spread the word!

[Therichbrooks]

Sorry I stole your thunder! Now, have at it! ;)

[Therichbrooks]

Nikki,

Thanks for putting it out there. It's the number one complaint I hear from people.

[Mr.Ven]

Blogging after kids sleep and before they wake up, is the one rule i am following for the past 2 years ! :-) Its so thrilled to get a break in between many times :-)

[Andrew @ Blogging Guide]

If there's a will, there's a way. So, if you're really serious regarding blogging, you can always find the time to do it no matter what obstacle/s you're facing.

[Matt the Coffee Guy]

Blogging is imperative and this post is still relevant today almost a year later. It's amazing how many small business I encounter that just DON'T do it. But it's amazing what people can get done if they just turn off the tube for night like you said!