Article Contributed by Kelly Gregorio
The popularity of business blogging is getting harder and harder to ignore. Whether you run an ecommerce site or a local mom and pop shop, it seems like just about everyone has a blog that’s positioning them as frontrunners in their niche.
You may be fostering some cozy hesitations (i.e. I’m not a writer, and even if I was I don’t have the time…) but the excuses are stopping here. The interactive experience of blogging is a great way to establish your presence in your market and provide usable content to an audience that in return, will give you their trust and respect.
But, Do I Have To Be a Writer?
No. Writing a business blog is a lot different than writing a book. Each post will be about a different theme, short and concise. And considering that most blogs tend to be around a page long, they should not take much longer than an hour to write.
You don’t need to be a writer, but you do need to be a helper. Give your readers actionable steps and sound advice they can easily put into practice. Additionally, be sure to edit each post (even better, have another set of eyes review it for you), keep paragraphs short with only 3-4 sentences and make the content easily digestible by using bullet points and numbered lists whenever applicable.
But, Do I Have To Post Every Day?
No, but you should post consistently. Try to aim for at least two posts a week and post on a pattern, for example, every Tuesday and Saturday.
Keep things fresh by alternating what types of posts you contribute – one post might be a how-to article, while another could be an interview, and another, breaking news. In your efforts to keep things fresh and interesting for your readers, you’ll refresh yourself as well.
But, Do I Have To Be an Idea Genius?
No, but you do have to know how to stay relevant. Check out other blogs similar to your niche, see what they are reporting on, and then see what unique spin your perspective can craft. Tuning into industry-related podcasts is another way to generate ideas and bonus: you can listen in with your Smartphone on the go.
Also, don’t undervalue your own daily experiences within your business. Almost every day holds a new topic to explore. Make an active effort to keep your eyes and ears open for material. Keep in mind too that once you cultivate an audience, you can always cater specifically to them and ask for topic requests.
But, Do I Have To Whine About It?
Absolutely not! You’ll find that your best posts will be on topics that you are passionate about and know inside and out. That’s no accident; continue to write what you know and the motivation and writing will flow. After all, the goal is to position yourself as an expert in your field, so have fun while sharing any and all of your personal, unique expertise.
Happy Blogging!
About the author:
Kelly Gregorio writes about topics that affect entrepreneurs and small businesses while working at Advantage Capital Funds, a business loan provider. You can read her daily business blog here.