Let’s say that you’re a small business owner and you just started a blog because you heard how incredibly helpful they can be in building your brand and raising awareness for your business. Now that it’s up and running, you’ve encountered an issue…
You’re Not sure How or What to Blog. Read on for blog topics and tips…
We’ve all been there, which is why today we’re going to discuss some key blog topics and tips that will help you solidify your business’ presence online. Let’s take a look!
Common Blog Topics for Small Businesses
Blogs are huge opportunities for small businesses to expand their reach and market their products. The problem is, you can’t simply provide a stream of advertisements and expect the blog to take off.
To help you build a strong presence of content online, consider these topics as great places to start:
- Provide Helpful “How-To” Posts
Blog content should always provide value to the reader. Value is the name of the game, and nothing is more helpful than a “how-to” guide that is relevant to your audience. Take a look at the expertise you have in the field of your business, and use that to create a helpful guide that your customers can use.
- Solve a Problem Your Customers Have
Another great way to provide that all-important value to your readers is to solve a common problem that they have. This can be anything from a guide on how to start to start a blog, to a guide on how to use your products to make their life easier.
- Promote Your Products and Services
Keep in mind that using your blog to promote products and services is possible, but trying to sell customers on them in a pushy way through the blog won’t go over well. Instead, place the product in your customer’s daily lives. Make it relevant and useful to them in a way that allows you to naturally mention it in a post. Don’t make it the focus of your post, instead make it a side note that fits naturally into the greater whole.
- Share News From Your Industry
Credibility is huge when it comes to small business blogs. People need to be able to trust your advice and opinions. By showing them current news stories and speaking authoritatively on topics that interest them, you’re building an image that showcases you as a credible source for information.
- Entertain Your Readers
Sometimes readers just need to know that you’re human. The ability to tell a story and captivate your readers is something that every business will need to have in the near future. If people can associate an emotion or story with your brand, then they will connect with it much easier, and remember it in the future.
Blogging Tips for Small Startup Businesses
Now that you have some blog topics to run with, the next step is understanding how to craft the perfect blog posts for your readers. Next up, we’ll take a look at some tips to make your posts stand out from the rest.
- Stick to Your Schedule
Once you’ve defined your blogging schedule, make sure you don’t deviate from it. Consistency is key in the world of blogging. If you deviate from your usual schedule, readers will look elsewhere for the information they need, and that’s the opposite of what you want.
You don’t need a schedule that takes you away from every other aspect of your business, but whatever you decide, make sure it doesn’t deviate from the plan that you’ve established.
- Quality is King
People who read content online are in a hurry. The people who read your blog have busy lives, which is why you should value their time. Ensure that your posts are focused, informative, and represent your brand in a positive light. In addition, be sure to do plenty of proofreading and editing before you post. You don’t need to be an English major to write quality content, but there are some key writing techniques you should be familiar with in order to properly engage your audience.
- Length is Important
The length of your posts in terms of word count is important. Not every post needs to be 2,000 words or more, but they all should shoot for a 500 word minimum. In the end, longer posts are better, but you shouldn’t seek to fluff your posts just to create a longer word count. Make sure the content you publish is relevant. Never fluff your posts.
- Engage With Your Readers
When you finish writing a post, invite your readers to comment and share their thoughts. When that’s done, make sure you respond to them in kind. If they have questions, concerns, or feedback, then respond to them in the comments and let them know you’re reading what they say.
Approach these situations like you would if someone walked into your office. Treat them with respect and offer honest and thorough answers.
- Use Social Media
Your readers are most likely present on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn. Anytime you post something, be sure to promote it through these platforms by creating profiles for your business that you can use to reach additional readers and bring them to your blog and ultimately to your brand.
Final Thoughts
Small businesses can reap huge rewards by starting a blog and using it to leverage their presence on social media, and bring new customers into the fold. Using these topics and tips, small business owners can bring their brand to new prospects in a big way. What tips would you offer new businesses starting a blog? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post In The Beginning: Blog Topics and Tips for Small Business Owners appeared first on Small Business Can.