I didnt realise the true benefits of Blogging until I started doing it. Yeah everyone was raving about it, but I used to think that those people had way too much time on their hands with lots of things to say about the world.
These days I believe it should be a critical part of your communication and online strategy. Starting out as a virtual assistant, I was looking for cost effective ways to market my business and blogging was a big part of that initial strategy. My blog has lead directly to securing ongoing and profitable clients for my business.
For me a good blog is well written, informative, personalised, current and most importantly, not the hard sell.
Cameron Strachan from Cameron's Golf Blog has been successfully writing a blog for nearly three years now.
"Blogs are great for credibility - almost like having a book. But you need to write great content. You really can't hold anything back - and people will. I've had people telling me (and I've listened to them) that I gave too much away - but it's the best thing to do. Write with passion and tell lots of stories but most of all help people with a need or problem. No fluff and none of the my cat died type of stuff" he recommends.
Benefits to your business for blogging can include:
Increases traffic and attracts new visitors to your website
Blogs certainly give new reasons for people to visit your website. Providing informative and fresh content regularly will conitnually attract people to your site. Posting your blog links in your social media networks is a good way to start getting your blog out there.
Helps to demonstrate that you are an expert in your field
Blogs are a great way to show people you do know what you are talking about.
Allows you to explain your products and services in more detail
You can communicate a lot more information about what your business can offer in a blog than a 15 sec radio commercial or ad in your local paper. Plus it's a lot more cost effective - just your time.
Helps you differentiate yourself from competitors
Blogging about your unique selling points can go along way to making you stand out from your competitors.
Provides a forum to voice your opinion on current affairs affecting your industry
This again is a great way to demonstrate you are an expert in your field and lets customers know you are up to date with the latest news affecting your business.
Can help increase your website ranking in search engines
Blogging while incorporating your key words will help you with your search engine presence and may just be the thing to help you to get to Page 1 of Google.
Generate income through advertising on your blog
If your blog becomes popular, placing advertising on your site will form a new stream of income for your business.
Builds networks and interactivity
Blogs allows you to interactive with your modern day customer as well as build referral networks which are all good for your buiness.
So now you understand the importance of a blog but don’t have the time to write it? Hire a virtual assistant to help you spend less time on administration tasks and more time selling your business through regular blog updates. A good virtual assistant will also help you promote and maintain your blog with the latest features and techniques.
