photo credit: Roman Beltran
Sometimes, blog owners can lose sight of the reason behind why you have or need a blog.
When we’re faced with a blank screen and an empty head, it can be difficult to remember the value our blogs have when it comes to communicating with our customers, attracting more traffic to our business and getting the search engines to list us as a useful, valid service.
Now and then it can be really useful to go back to basics and remember the rationale behind why you set up your blog in the first place, and take a look at just how many people visit, read, comment and make purchases from you based on what you publish to your site.
Check out the top reasons why your customers have come to expect a blog from you, and the value it can bring to them…
1. Your Blog Is Your Brand
When a customer is looking to weigh up the pros and cons of going with a certain service provider, the more information they can access about the company, the more likely they may be to choose the firm.
In supermarkets, we’re drawn to brand names that we know and trust, and online purchase decisions are no different.
If you have a blog packed with information that is interesting and useful, your customers can follow you online and gain that same sense of trust, familiarity and security that we get when we choose products from brands that we understand and are familiar with.
2. It Makes You Easier To Find
In this day and age, more people are looking online to find products and services.
Your blog helps you to be easily located amid all the other competitors in your industry.
The more you publish, the easier you are for customers to find and approach for business.
3. It Puts A Voice To The Name
We like making contact with people, and customers feel exactly the same about companies.
When we think of Virgin, we think of Branson.
Apple was Jobs.
Microsoft, Gates.
Giving a real, human voice to your products and services makes your firm more approachable and accessible, and opens the door for your customers to get in touch.
4. It’s Friendly
You can write in a completely different style on your blog than you would adopt for the rest of your website.
You can express opinions, use humour and let your personality shine through.
People who look through web sites are usually simply seeking information , whereas when they subscribe to your blog they are also looking to be entertained.
Blogging as a platform allows for a much greater level of personality than your static web pages.
5. It Links To Other Marketing Tools
These days, your blog can serve as a conduit to a whole host of other platforms with just one click.
Press a button and you can share your updates to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and a whole range of other sites and functions.
It’s one of the quickest and easiest ways of getting a strong message out there with no expenditure or effort, so your customers have regular and consistent contact from you.
6. It Lets You Deal With Issues
Sometimes you may find that you have a recurring issue within your business that would take you a whole lot of effort to address, if you didn’t have a blog.
Say for example your customers are all contacting you with the same question?
Instead of addressing each one individually, you can simply pop up a post on your blog that deals with the problem, and prevent the recurring queries which one to one communication would require.
7. It Gives Your Customers A Platform For Communication
Most marketing tools are very much a one-way stream.
Newsletters, static web pages and leaflets all talk to your customers, without providing an opportunity for them to respond.
Your blog is designed to be interactive and encourage people to get in touch, giving your customers the perfect platform for asking questions, giving feedback and telling you all about what they are looking for, in your product or service.
8. It Provides A Pathway Through Your Products And Services
When you blog regularly, you have the opportunity to structure your posts so that they provide a perfect pathway through your services or products in a clear, simple and accessible way.
Every time you upgrade your offering, offer discounts, or want to encourage your customers to choose a certain solution, all you need to do is blog about it and you’re automatically steering them through the decision-making process and making it easier for them to make a purchase.
In many ways, your blog is there for your customers.
When you write, it’s worth thinking about which one of these eight reasons you are addressing, and tailoring your post to meet some of these needs.
Consistent and regular posts can bring a whole host of mutual benefits, and over time your blog will become a valued and respected resource for anyone looking to find out more about your industry niche, before making a purchase.
If you are looking for someone to help you with your blogging, check out my Blogging Services page.
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here and read my thoughts
Very Nice post, Its true a blog is very helpful for both personal and business use, if you blog for business it helps you to reach new customers and also you can easily interact with your new customers through the simplicity of blog and social media engagement in blogs.
Thanks for sharing!
Nishant Srivastava recently posted..How to Keep your Old Blog Posts Alive
Nishant
All agreed. Does it work for you? You get new customers?
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
Hi,Andrew….
Its really informative post that describes the importance of blog for business. It also tells how your online presence can be helpful to brand your services. Keep posting such useful articles.
TechMero recently posted..Nimbuzz for Nokia & Samsung Mobile (Download)
Hey Andrew! Thanks for reminding us the advantages of a blog and why not, promoting our business online! In this society dominated by the latest trends in technology, that takes internet outside the house, on tablets and smartphones, it would be really stupid not to take advantage of the possibility to reach larger number of people.
Dragos recently posted..Best Floor Steam Cleaners For 2013
Dragos
Totally agree – the percentage of people looking on-line for solutions, tools, services, etc…grows every year.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
Seriously, This is really a great article. Thanks for sharing. Gonna share on Social Media
Salman Ahmad recently posted..10 Awesome HD WIndows 8 Wallpapers
Hi Andrew, everything you say here are all true. Though I am not really a good writer but I still keep writing content for my blog. I believe audience/visitors love to see new interesting content once they visit a site. If they saw the same content over and over again, it tends your audience to not return on your site anymore. They find it boring and not worth reading.
Rusty recently posted..A survivor is born: Tomb Raider Review
Rusty
Have you tried other formats like Video?
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
What do you think, which option is Good? Either having a Video Blog or Articles Blog? I am confused now?
Both?
Test and see what your visitors like.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
Thats true. The thing does matter is visitors like and interest. I found that it depends on Niche of the Blog. Have you tried Video Blog Andrew? I would love to see you.
Junaid Raza recently posted..How to write High Quality Articles Within Half of an Hour
I use my blog to expose my views and ideas to the visitors and it is the best way of engaging and communicating with the audience. We can even use of a personal blog to share our personal things with our audience. So, I need a blog to fulfill my needs.
Ajay recently posted..Samsung Galaxy S4 Release Date, Specs And Price | A detailed Review
Ajay
Nice approach – do you have a personal blog as well?
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
I totally agree to point number 3 ! Blog gives a voice to its owner ! True post .. will share this
Thanks
Jordan Singh recently posted..Simple network speed tests to find correct speed of internet
Andrew! All of your points are very true. You always share a very useful and well researched info. I do believe that every one should have his Blog as part time. Blogging is business and Voice As well. I do believe that Blogging is a complete life, you can share yourself, you can know others, discuss, and you can earn a lot. So, I always use to suggest people that they should start Blogging as Part time, even they are not Bloggers, while they can’t accept it as Business at this time, but, as they will start it, they will get answers of all their questions, whats your Opinion Andrew?
Junaid
I started my blog, part-time while still working for someone else.
Eventually, I gave up the working for someone else and now am a full-time blogger (and love it!).
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
That’s a really freaky featured image you have there. Just saying.
You’re absolutely right about your reasons for having a blog though. I didn’t really see the importance of building and managing my own brand online until after leaving college. That’s something they don’t teach. But it’s a life saver when it comes to applying for jobs.
For the fact alone that I have a blog, I’m more likely to at least get an interview.
Thanks for sharing this. More people need to be convinced to build QUALITY blogs.
Nikki recently posted..Accounting Software for Mac and Apple Fans: You’ll Love it!
Nikki
Re: Image. I was trying to say ‘you are faceless if you don’t have a website’!
I understand many emploers are now looking on-line to see what sort of person you are before hiring you and a professional blog could really help you get the job. Great point – thanks.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Structure Your Blog Posts For Maximum Blog Traffic
Your blog is your brand….
I like your words about blogging.
You are just encouraging the new bloggers by writing posts like above one.
Sara Loren recently posted..Devon James: Tiger Woods and Girlfriend Cheat Lindsey Vonn
Although I’m aware of why having a blog is useful, it’s always good to get a refresher on it.
My blog is listed as a personal one now. I don’t feel that I am qualified yet to offer services for pay yet. However, even when a person doesn’t have a product or service, having a blog helps to put you out there where you can get the info. and knowledge needed for in the future.
Glynis Jolly recently posted..Post Gathering #9
Glynis
You do have to feel comforatble about selling your products / services on line. Perhaps sometime in the future?
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Why It Is Time To Change Your Blog Approach
if you have a blog, you do not exist. In many aspects, commercial, personal and professional. Good way to address the issue. The eight aspects are really essential.
@Junaid
I will be vblogging very soon!
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Why It Is Time To Change Your Blog Approach
these are damn true in many cases and this is proven fact you just shown it here in this post… thanks for sharing this informative article
This is a very inspiring post. I think many people need to realize that having a blogging can benefit your business in so many ways. Many people believe blogging is a lot harder than it looks…this is very far from the truth. Hopefully if they read this post, it will convince them otherwise =).
Blake Ruiz recently posted..Some Of The Fastest Growing Careers In America: Need Help Deciding Your Future?
Hi Andrew,
I think after reading your post any of your reader will turn into budding bloggers. You have written a very encouraging post.
Good job done.
Jess
Jessie B recently posted..Top 10 Hollywood Highest Paid Actors in 2013 | highest paid hollywood actors
Thanks, Jessie…for those kind words. I really appreciate it.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Should Your Videos Have Intros and Outros?
I totally agree with you but what if your niche isnt big enough and your blog stays unvisited? What would you do in this particular case?
Danilo
I would do more research and perhaps, widen the niche.
But my research in the first place should have told me the niche was too small.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Should Your Videos Have Intros and Outros?
nice points Andrew,
(dofollow)
but taking it in more straight forward way i must say that i need a blog to earn money.., and i think most of us are doing the same here..
BTW your article was awesome as always..
Rohit recently posted..Top Budget Smartphones under 10K price range | 2013
You are right, Rohit. Bottom line is…making money!
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Should Your Videos Have Intros and Outros?
Hey Andrew,
(dofollow)
Nice post and I really enjoyed this post while reading. Blogging is the best way to share our knowledge with other people and also helps in making new relations with other people. Its also best way to make money online and helps in improving our skill like writing and reading skill.
Sudipto recently posted..Best Android Phone Under 20000
Sudipto
You have mentioned a number of good reasons why we should blog. hame more business owners don’t have the same thinking!
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..How To Immediately Get More Visitors Buying Your Services (video)