Increase the Success of Your Small Business (with no more than a blog)
“you should totally start a blog!”
Sound familiar?
As a small business owner, chances are at least one person has told you that you should turn your entrepreneurial insights into creative blog posts. You might even think that it’s a good idea, too-- if you had the slightest idea about where to begin.
That’s why we’re starting with the basics. Before you can create a successful blog, you have to have an understanding of why spending hours writing articles will help your small business flourish (more than it already is, of course, because you’re a total rockstar).
Check out these 4 reasons why blogging helps small businesses succeed and don’t forget to download the FREE tools to help you discover multiple topics you can start writing about today:
PRO TIP:
Put yourself in the shoes of the consumer: What would you type into Google to find articles about the topic you are writing on? Do your research and pick keywords and keyword phrases to use within your blog content. Just be careful not to overdo it- you want your article to remain relatable, not robotic ;)
PRO TIP:
Publishing valuable blog content in a great way to increase your conversion rates. So, call your readers to action by ending your post with a few sentences explaining how you or your business can solve their problem. Then, send them on their way with a button or link they can click to get more information.
Blogging Increases your search engine visibility
Search engines live off of fresh, relevant content—literally, it’s their favorite snack food. Think of it this way: when you create blog posts for and/or about your business, you are feeding search engines keyword heavy content to index on their pages.
Be warned: you’ll want to use relevant to topic, on-brand keywords that potential clients will search throughout your blog posts. Keywords are the heart of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and will make or break your optimization.
Here’s an example:
I want to buy a modern-style, white nightstand for my apartment.
To find options on the internet, I’ll pull up Google and begin a search.
I type “modern white nightstand”and press enter.
Soon, Google pulls up an index of all of the pictures, sites, and articles it can find that mention the words modern, white, and nightstand.
Keywords are how consumers search for content and how search engines determine how relevant your content is to the consumer’s unique search. When you use relevant keywords and phrases within your writing, you are increasing the likelihood that your content will be found by consumers and search engines alike.
Blogging is a great way to establish trust and build clout in any industry.
No matter how small (or large) your company is, consumers want to know that you are a dependable source for valuable information.
Start by brainstorming a list of niche-specific subjects you can share your expertise on.
(You can click the picture below to download a FREE Brainstorming Blog Topics Guide for Beginners!)
Then, challenge yourself to write ONE post on a topic from that list that particularly excites you.
Get your thoughts on paper, back up your knowledge up with some linked sources, add some professional-grade photos, and voila! You’re on your way to providing valuable, educational content to your audience (aka your biggest fans!)
With a regular flow of engaging, informational blog posts on your website, you’ll soon become a “go to” resource for anyone looking for relevant information in your industry.
here’s an example of what my brainstorming sessions looks like:
download this template to get the most out of your brainstorming sessions:
PRO TIP:
Send every blog you write to your email list and don’t forget to add shareable links to your social media. Even one tweet, pin, or reshare can be the momentum you need to get the word out to an even bigger audience. Plus, hello free marketing!
Insightful blog articles will prompt readers to share your post with their own community.
Though we live in a world where the sharing platforms are endless (hello, social media!), your goal is to write content that people find worth sharing. To get your audience to show your article to their close circle, it’s important to include unique, valuable information within your content that won’t be easily forgotten.
How are you going to set your blog article apart from the others who may be writing about the same topics?
A great way to begin is by getting to know your audience. In order to write shareable content, you need your audience to be fully engaged in the topic you’re writing about. Whether it’s by sending out a quick survey to your email list or creating a few polls on your Instagram story, asking your audience what they want to read about is just one of the keys to blogging success. After all, you don’t want to spend a few hours writing a post that nobody cares to read.
Once you gain audience insight, the rest is simple. With their interests in mind, write up a blog post detailing a niche-specific topic that excites you.
When your words illustrate your passion, it will be easier for your audience to connect to your thought process.
PRO TIP:
Practice makes almost-perfect. If you stay true to yourself, write in a way that feels like you are speaking to a friend, and remain open to shifting your mindset in order to provide the best possible information to your audience, you’ll have all the tools you need to establish an unbeatable connection from the get-go.
Blogging is a great way to attract customers and keep them coming back for more.
Don’t be afraid to write in a semi-vulnerable way that tugs at your audience’s emotions. Remember, Starting a blog is a great way to engage potential clients in a voice that speaks to their pain points.
If you’re nervous about finding a way to write that sounds personable and honest, you are NOT alone. Many people don’t start writing blogs for the sole purpose that they are afraid to fail.
(Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back: download the 32 blog topic prompts ANYONE can write about below)
Listen, when I started writing the A Linderella Story blog, my only two readers were my mother and my grandmother. But, ya know what? That was fine with me. I figured that if my words could touch just one human, I had done my job.
Soon, word got out that the information I was sharing was valuable to small business owners, like you, who have no idea where to begin when it comes to writing content for their brand.
People LOVE a good story and sharing aspects of your personal life that may have been a driving force in the success of your business is a perfect way to become visibly relatable to your reader.
Say “see ya later” to writer’s block + download these prompts to get ya thinking instead
the bottom line:
Creating engaging blog posts can help your business flourish. But before you begin writing articles, it’s important to understand why blogs are important to your small business success:
Blogs boost SEO: do your research and utilize keywords and phrases throughout your articles so search engines can find you more easily.
Blogs build your brand’s credibility: Start by brainstorming a list of niche-specific subjects you can share your expertise on (scroll back up to download the Brainstorming Blog Topics tool— you’ll be amazed by the ideas inside your head!)
Blogs create shareable information: get to know your audience to figure out how to set your blog article apart from the others who may be writing about the same topics.
Blogs connect people to your brand: Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back—check out the 32 blog topics above and start writing today!
if you love the idea of having a blog but are afraid to add another item to your to-do list…
it‘s time to hire a content writer to do the dirty work for you