It’s no secret that blogging is a smart business strategy, one that will pay dividends in the long run. A quick look at some of your favorite businesses will prove just that.
You know it in your gut, but it’s so hard to prioritize the actual writing—and everything that goes along with it. To make it a consistent part of your brand strategy.
And you may have started a blog months ago… or years ago. Or maybe this is the year you’ve committed to add a blog to your well-designed website—to attract new eyeballs, build relationships, get found online (keywords) and establish yourself as the authority you are.
Either way, kudos. You’re doing so many things well and your eyes are always focused on the big picture looking to grow.
The good news? Writing for your business is fun. It will amp up your creativity AND it will engage your audience in a whole new way. But it takes commitment and planning.
Your audience already loves you. And they want to get to know you better. With a monthly (or weekly) blogging habit, they’ll see your depth of knowledge and how you truly care for and about them.
And their trust in you will skyrocket. Your authority will naturally climb. Think of it as your very own crypto-currency. The ‘it’ thing that everyone wants but most don’t actually understand.
So let’s break down why blogging makes sense for you. And I’ll share six ideas to jumpstart your business blog and turn your dread into excitement.
Why Write a Blog for your Business?
As a business owner, you understand numbers. And the power of a story.
So if you’re on the fence about blogging, or if you’re struggling to find the time to do it, let’s take a look at three stats. They’ll highlight the importance of blogging and may just reinforce your decision to jumpstart your business blog.
Companies with blogs produce an average of 67% more leads monthly than companies that don’t blog. (DemandMetric)
Pretty impressive, right? Imagine having ⅔ more leads each month than your competition. A total game changer for your business. A blog will lead to faster growth and more opportunity.
Businesses that blog get 55% more website visitors than businesses that don’t. (HubSpot)
Look, you’ve spent considerable time and money to craft a website that speaks to your audience, to your clients. And you want to showcase it. Hello, return on investment. With blogs, you can more than double your web traffic—and truly shine the spotlight on your business.
70% of people would rather learn about a company through articles rather than advertisements. (DemandMetric)
I mean, wouldn’t you? It’s practically ingrained in us, with all the ads and images we see within a day’s time. We breeze past an advertisement without even considering it. But when presented with timely, quality information? It gives us pause and sparks our curiosity.
It’s why 7 out of 10 people prefer articles to advertisements. Giving your audience what they want, connecting with them on a deeper level, is smart business.
Whether you want more leads each month, more website visitors, or a more aligned approach for your customer’s preferences, writing a blog is a key component of your marketing strategy.
But you may be thinking, “Great, I’m on the right path. But how do I start? I neeeeeed ideas!!”
Keep reading, I’m going to give it to you straight.
6 Ideas to Jumpstart Your Business Blog
You’re sold on your idea of a business blog, but you need a bit of a push to start the momentum swinging in your favor. We all need that from time to time.
Well, I’ve got you. Here are my best ideas to spark your inspiration and get you started on your blog writing journey.
- Visit your website through the lens of a customer.
First things first, go to your own website. Look at it through the lens of your client, or your ideal client. Take a moment to see what they see. And dig for blog ideas. You may be surprised to learn you have blog content from four years ago still on there.
If so, start there. Your very first blog post can be a revamp of a past blog from the past, one that you know your readers need in their inbox right now. After all, a lot has changed in four years.
Pro Tip: when repurposing old blog posts, refresh the title with a fun new headline. Pull in current statistics, a new photo. And then share it. Start with your lowest hanging fruit first.
- Schedule 20 minutes and read your favorite business blog.
Yep, it’s that simple. Next, make it a priority to see what’s out there by reading someone else’s blog who you admire, who you look to for inspiration.
You’ll get reacquainted with blogs, with what’s working and how you want to position yourself. And try a different industry, too. If you’re a retailer, see what a mental health coach is talking about. It can be pretty delightful to change it up and look in unexpected places.
You’ll see more opinions and opportunities. But be sure to set a timer. You don’t want to get stuck in research mode.
- Open up a blank document and list out all your topic ideas.
Or better yet, have someone on your team help you brainstorm. Think about the things you know really well, or the things you want to be known for. Line by line, list your ideas.
Think about building your authority and being strategic. Just because you really want to travel to Italy in the next year doesn’t mean you need to blog about European travel.
Focus on 2-3 topics you do really well. For me, it’s branding, business building, and marketing strategy.
- Think visual, outline your blog and add a photo.
Each blog you write will have a natural flow and progression of ideas. If you’re struggling to write, it can help to lay out your thoughts and points in a quick outline. For reference, look at this blog post. You’ll see the heading or title, the subheadings, and bolded text for each idea shared.
As you outline it, it’s a great time to think of three things. First, the skimmer, the person who reads quickly. Next, the digger, the person who reads every single word you type. And finally, Google! You’ll want to consider search engine optimization as you write your blog.
And add a photo or meme. Breaking up chunks of text with a fun visual is yet another way to engage a reader.
Pro Tip: when looking for visuals, I want to share my favorite sources. For free photos, check out Pexels. For gifs, try Giphy. And for added customization, check out Canva.
- When you’re stuck, do a quick Google search.
Just like when your child stumps you on a question and you quietly consult Google for a solid response, do it when you’re stuck in your writing process, too.
A quick search will result in statistics you can cite (and link to!), complimentary information, and even keyword ideas. It can get you out of a mental block or a writing slump. But use it sparingly, the last thing you need is a bunny trail to distract you from your goal.
Pro Tip: One of the best kept secrets in Google is the “People also ask” feature on each search page. Look for it when you need headline inspiration or when you’d like to add one more section or point of interest to your blog post.
- Hire a content writer or copywriter.
If writing isn’t your thing, and let’s face it, you have a lot on your plate, try subcontracting with an expert. It’s the same concept as website design and rebranding. Working with someone who understands you and your tone of voice can give your business a huge boost.
At brandID, we have seven copywriters on the team. Each one brings a wealth of knowledge and writing skills that enhance our client experience and ultimately, the quality of our work.
You may just be surprised at how much time a copywriter will save you, and how much they can add to your bottom-line.
Whether you’re writing on your own, brainstorming with a colleague, or hiring a professional, you have ideas to get you started.
How do you measure a blog’s success?
You’re likely in one of two camps by now. The “wow, that seems like a lot.” Or, “yep, I’ve got this. I’m full steam ahead with my business blog.”
If you’re in the first camp, start by visiting your website, brainstorming blog topics, and skimming your favorite business blogs.
But if you’re in the second camp, it’s time to get writing—and posting.
And as you do, be sure to track your success with a few key metrics.
Page Views. This is how many visitors your blog page has received.
Time on Page. Pretty simple, this is the average time a reader spends on your blog page.
Total Email Subscribers. Successful blogs result in more email subscribers.
Sharing your knowledge and perspective will naturally result in more conversations, more mentions, more eyes on you and your business.
So pay attention to these three statistics as you post each week or month, to see what’s working and what isn’t. And then write more of what’s working, and less of what isn’t.
By adding a blog to your marketing approach, you’ll stand out from your competition and be top of mind for your audience. And if you’re struggling to gain momentum or want professional help in crafting your business blog, reach out—it’s part of what we do here at brandiD.
We’ll connect the dots between your business, your brand, and your purpose to amplify your voice, and ultimately, increase your impact. So go on, reach out today.
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About The Author
Rachel Gogos is a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a strong desire to help people create businesses they love by creating strong personal brands and businesses. She’s personally launched about a dozen books, e-products, and services; and hundreds of products and services with her clients. Two of her earliest web projects included the United Nations first website and DowJones.com.
Today, in her current role running brandiD, Rachel channels over 15 years of marketing and communications experience into each and every website for brandiD’s clients.
And check out brandiD’s new podcast, The Business of You.
