This is probably not the first blog post you have read about starting a business blog, and it won’t be your last!
Reading all of the information that is being produced about what to write, how to write it, and how to optimize it for the web would take months – months that no one has to waste. So here’s the biggest, most revolutionary secret to starting a Biz blog: it is not difficult; all you need to do is do it. Here’s how:
1) Pick a blog host, and don’t pay anything for it – If it takes you more than five minutes to decide, roll a die or something. You could go with WordPress, Hubspot, Blogger, Posterous, Xanga, Livejournal, or more. If you want more options (not that you need them) search for “free blog host” or find a blog resource list here.
2) Host your blog on your business’ web page – If you have someone in the family who knows their way around computers, you may be able to get off with using a favor on this one, but otherwise, be prepared to ante up. The initial set-up fee is nominal compared to the enormous Search Engine benefits a small business blog will bring to your main page. So call up your nephew, niece, or webmaster, and get the ball rolling. Refrain from hosting on a blogging site – you want to host wherever your website is hosted. If you don’t have a website and will be using your blog, then be sure to purchase hosting service as well.
3) Choose Your Keywords – Keyword generation is not as complicated as they say it is. Once you get your feet wet, all those articles about long tail and short tail keywords will actually start to make sense. So don’t overthink it. Just consider your clientele for a second and think about one problem that they have that you can solve. Whatever that is: it’s your first keyword.
4) Think of a Title – You want the keyword you chose to appear in the title somewhere. So, if you wanted to write about “green windows to conserve energy,” you might write, “How to Install Green Windows to Conserve Energy.” Sometimes, blockbuster blog titles are in the form of a question: “Are there any rebates on Green Windows to Conserve Energy?” Titles with numbers also work well. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just get a title and go!
5) Write The Dang Thing! – Focus on making the post useful to anyone who reads it. That means you don’t need to worry about sounding like a Rocket Scientist (unless you are one, of course). The most compelling, online content reads like it is being spoken, so just imagine that someone asked you the question your blog post is going to answer, and write down what you would say. People can be so anxious about writing, and in the end, it just isn’t worth it, because it slows them down, and it makes what they have to say less appealing, at least for blog writing.
Develop the Biz Blog and Make it Work for You
As you gain experience posting, it will become easier for you, and more rewarding as you figure out what kind of keywords are working, what kind of things your potential clientele is interested in, and so on. In order to develop as a blog writer, split your time between writing, researching your potential clientele, and reading up on current SEO practices.
Aim for spending about 5 hours per week, total: 3 articles, read/research for 20-30 minutes per day. As you go, you will build content and improve your skills at the same time. So while the competition scratches their heads and ponder the meaning of “organic traffic,” you’ll already have it all coming to your homepage.
Did you know that 76% of Fans come back every day to Facebook? And that the typical Fan has and average of 310 friends? That is a very powerful bit of information if you are using social media in your small business marketing plan.
