Just WHAT is a blog anyway? A blog (a contraction of the term “web log”) is an online journal that allows users to reflect, share opinions, descriptions of events, and discuss various topics. What gives a blog power is the ability of readers to comment on the posts and generate more discussion.
Blogging is an essential way for businesses to keep their customers informed AND interested in new products or updates. When connected to social networks, business blogs can have a powerful reach. A blog can pull potential customers to your site and eventually into the sales process. The death of the blog has been predicted for many years; Luis Suarez wrote a great blog, “Making Business Sense of Social Media and Social Networking – Is Blogging Dead?” that I highly recommend you take the time to read. I especially like is reference to the May 2005 article by Hugh MacLeod, “The porous membrane: why corporate blogging works.“
Setting up and writing a blog can be time consuming, but it does create a way for you to connect with users on your own website. Also, by creating useful content such as how-to articles or industry observations you can keep customers engaged and create the perception that you are an expert (or at least very knowledgeable) about your industry. This is especially important if your business is focused on local consumers. Truly, the best thing to do is just start writing. Having said that here are the “Top 5 Business Blogging Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.”
Blogging should be part of every businesses Social Media strategy. So take the time to educate yourself and then get started. Remember, “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to do it.