Whether your business has a blog, had a blog, or is getting a blog one thing is certain: you should have a blog.
Why?
The simple answer: you’re reading this.
The “herd mentality” is full force in social media and consumers are looking for engagement, not just a great product line. When they go to your website they must see the person behind the brand. They want want more than a pretty date, they want someone with a great personality as well.
Business Blog Tip #1: It’s Lifeless
Anyone can make a widget. But your widget must move, breathe, surprise and advice. Your blog must be alive.
The Fix: Recruit a passionate employee who has experience writing and see if they might be interesting in bringing life to your business blog. If your business can’t spare an employee, hire someone to do it for you (just ensure they understand your brand).
Business Blog Tip #2: It’s Old News
When potential customers come to your blog, they want to see that it’s updated and different than the last time they visited. Upon seeing a blog that is updated regularly, the consumer mind says “this company has things happening and they have news to share with me.”
The Fix: Have a blogging schedule. Update once a week, three times a week, or daily, but whatever you choose, keep a regular blogging schedule.
Business Blog Tip #3: It’s Salesy
We love to buy, but we don’t want to be sold.
We’ve all had experiences when ‘friends’ invite us over for a nice meal and then halfway through the second course the host transitions into a corporate sales pitch for product X. It’s gross.
And your customer will feel the same way if your blog is used like old bait-and-switch sales tactics.
The Fix: The other pages of your company website are for selling, but the blog is relational. Keep it relational.
Business Blog Tip #4: It’s Impersonal
Company blogs that read like text books remind people of … reading textbooks.
Going hand-in-hand with tip #1, bring a personal ‘voice’ to your blog and keep it consistent. Although the implementation of this concept varies from company to company, the blog’s tone must be conversational.
The Fix: When writing (or editing) a blog post imagine it being read by a specific customer of your product. Some writers even go so far as to post a picture of their ‘customer’ at their workstation while writing.
Take advantage of the social space available to your business by maintaining and growing a relevant business blog. Godin states it poignantly: