Most businesses understand the importance of having a website, but a website alone is hardly enough to stand out from the crowd. Blogs offer website visitors more information while allowing personality and expertise to shine through. If your business doesn’t have a blog, you’re missing out on an important tool to find and keep customers.  Here are a few of the benefits of creating a blog for your business.

 

Marketing Tool

Now more than ever, maintaining an online presence is key to running a successful business. Along with acting as a landing page for potential clients to learn more about you, a blog can and should be used as another marketing tool in your arsenal. I share all of my blog posts on Pinterest, and that’s where I get most of my web traffic. Without creating content that I can share on social media channels, I would be missing out on connecting with potential customers. This is especially true of online businesses that don’t need to target customers in a specific location. The internet allows clients from all over the world to find you, but there needs to be content for them to find.

 

Reusable Content

Your social media audience is expecting to see great content from you on a regular basis, and your blog is a great place to turn when you’re looking for ideas about what to post. One blog post can be turned into many different social media posts. If you’re stuck on what to post on social media, turn to prior blog posts. Not only will it save you time, but it’ll also ensure that you’re posting valuable content to your social media channels. Providing great content and solidifying your social media presence? That’s a win-win.

 

Promos and Freebies

People come to your website to get something of value- whether it’s your contact information, product pricing, a better understanding of your process, or other types of content. Promos and freebies are a great way to add even more value, and a great way to keep people coming back for more. By providing monthly downloadable desktop images, I provide content that people want to come back for each month. It’s an easy way for me to provide a little extra value to my audience and build a relationship with them.

 

Email collection

In this digital age, email is key. A great way to collect email addresses from potential clients is by including a call to action at the end of your blog post. People aren’t going to sign up for newsletters that they don’t feel will benefit them. If people enjoy reading your blog posts, they’re more likely to trust that they’ll enjoy reading your newsletters too. You don’t want to give everything away on your blog, but you can include snippets from your email newsletter, or hint at special promos or freebies that only newsletter subscribers can access.

 

Expert Status

In business, you have to set yourself apart from the competition. Your potential clients are looking to hire someone they can trust. A great way to build that trust is by showing that you’re knowledgeable in your field. Blogging helps showcase the experience that will set your business apart. Potential customers will have confidence that when they have a need, you’ll be able to provide them with what they’re looking for.

 

Audience Interaction

Being in business is about more than just having transactional relationships with your clients! Having a blog opens up the possibility of having two-way communication with your audience. This sort of interaction isn’t just great for attracting potential clients, but also building loyalty among your current customer base so they continue to use your services and recommend you to friends and colleagues.

 

If you’re looking for a way to interact with your audience, reach new audiences, and stand out from the competition, a business blog is a great place to start!