What is a Blog Post?

You want to reach as many customers as possible, letting them know about your new products, any milestones that you've reached and even your thoughts on the business world. You also know that one way to do this is to create a blog.

But how do you do it successfully?

Decide what you want your blog to be:

This may sound like a small step, but finding your blog's audience, style, and voice sets you up for writing successful posts (as well as for getting successful posts written for you).

Think of a blog post, then, as a type of online journal for your business. It's a way to show customers and - just as importantly - potential customers that there are real people behind your business, people who care about their community and their employees.

A business blog also gives you the chance to provide useful information to readers. If you run a landscaping business, you can write about the best times to seed a front lawn and steps homeowners can take to rid their yards of grubs. If you run a boutique clothing store, you can blog about the latest fashion trends or provide your readers with tips on how to assemble a fashionable wardrobe without spending a small fortune.

Be interesting:

The number-one rule of blogging is an obvious, but important, one: Never be dull. You want readers to come back to your blog day after day. And one way to do this is to provide them with information that surprises them, informs them, or makes them laugh. If you run a hair salon, you might run a list of odd hair facts, such as the fact that the average person's scalp contains 100,000 to 150,000 hair follicles.

Don't be self-serving:

It's okay to promote your business on your blog if there's good reason. If your local chamber of commerce honors your business on its 50th birthday, that's worth posting. But no one wants to read a blog that's filled only with posts about how great your company is.

Be real:

People want to know that there's a real person behind your business. Think of your blog as a conversation between yourself and your readers. Write to your readers about things your business is knowledgeable and passionate about, and you're sure to engage them.

But not too real:

But ... be careful. It's nice to be conversational. But don't be offensive. Don't include off-color jokes, rude commentary or weighty political discussions in your blog. If you do, you'll be sure to alienate as many customers and potential customers as you'd impress.

Be short:

Blog posts should run no more than six paragraphs. In the online world, it's best to get to your point as quickly as possible. Readers don't want to scroll down the screen five times just to get to your blog post's punchline.

Don't forget to post:

Finally, don't forget to post on your blog regularly. What's worse than not having a blog for your small business? Having a blog that's not been updated in three months. When consumers log on and see such inactivity, they might think that your business is shuttered, just like your blog is.

A blog can be an important tool for promoting your business, but only if it's well-written, informative and full of useful information. If you're worried about the responsibilities involved with writing a blog, consider hiring a professional writer from Scripted to take on this chore for you. We can match your business with a qualified writer who can showcase it in its best possible light.