How To Succeed At Blogging For Your Small Business

Blogs are not only popular.

They are far more popular than they have ever been before.

Since blogs are an effective tool for both businesses and individuals alike.

So, the aim of this guide is to help you get started with blogging for your small business.

All while answering the following questions:

• What is a blog?
• How did blogs begin?
• What are the different types of blogs?
• Where are blogs published?
• When are blogs published?
• Can I make money from a blog?
• What is a business blog?
• What are the benefits of having a business blog?
• What are the drawbacks to having a business blog?
• How to write a blog post?

What is a blog?

A blog is a website, or part of a website, dedicated to self-published content.

While blog posts, or blog articles, are single pieces of content that get published on blogs.

Lastly, a blogger, or author, is the name given to someone who creates and publishes blog posts.

How did blogs begin?

The first blog was created in 1994 by a computer programmer named Ward Cunningham.

He referred to it as a "personal web page" and created it so that he could share his thoughts with those around him.

However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, blogs soon became popular among individuals and businesses alike.

Lastly, where the name itself is concerned, John Barger is credited with coining the word "weblog" in 1997.

While the short form, "blog" is thought to have been later coined in 1999 by Peter Merholz.

What are the different types of blogs?

Blogs are classified into three types:

• Personal Blogs

These blogs usually have an individual as the author and are meant to share their thoughts with others.

They provide a glimpse into their lives, which can be interesting to people who do not know them personally.

• Informational Blogs

These blogs are usually written by experts in a certain field or industry.

They provide helpful information for people who want to learn about that topic or want to get started in the field themselves.

• Niche Blogs

These blogs serve a very specific purpose.

Whether it's to help others understand something or to tell stories about a certain topic or event.

Where are blogs published?

Some blogs are published on websites that are independently run by the author.

While other blogs are published on a number of blog-specific platforms.

This includes the following:

• WordPress
• Medium
• Substack
• Blogger
• Tumblr

So, when choosing a blogging platform as a beginner, do consider the following:

• How easy is it to set up?
• Does it require any code?
• Will it help to attract more visitors?

When are blogs published?

Blogs can be published at any time of day.

However, they typically get published in the morning, between 8am and 11am.

Since bloggers want to get their content out there as soon as possible, and when people are most likely to read it.

Can I make money from a blog?

Yes, you can.

Since there are a number of ways you can monetize your blog.

For instance:

• Affiliate Marketing
• Advertisement
• Email Marketing
• Sales (e.g. ebooks, courses, coaching)
• Sponsorship

With that said, blogging is a great way to make some extra cash.

What is a business blog?

A business blog is a business's website, or part of a business's website, dedicated to self-published content.

While the term "business blogging" is a type of content marketing that focuses on a business, its products or services, and how it can help others.

Lastly, it is important for business blogs to create a sense of community with their audience.

Since this will aid in its growth.

What are the benefits of having a business blog?

Starting your own business blog has the following benefits:

They help to promote your business's products or services.

They enable you to build credibility as a thought leader in your industry.

They allow you to communicate with your audience on a more personal level.

They can be used to boost traffic to your website, through Search Engine Optimization.

What are the drawbacks to having a business blog?

Business blogging can be very time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Since time and energy is required to complete the following:

• Write your posts
• Edit your posts
• Upload your posts
• Promote your posts

So, I highly recommend that you only start a blog if you are willing to see things through.

Since this will help to determine your success, when blogging for your business.

How to write a blog post?

The following is a step-by-step guide that will help you ensure success, when blogging for your small business:

Step 1 - Determine the Blog Audience

The people who read your blog posts are referred to as your blog audience.

They are a diverse mix of individuals with different backgrounds, interests, and goals.

However, the one thing they have in common is that they are all looking for information on your area of expertise.

So, when choosing your audience, here are four things you must consider:

1. What are your goals?

2. What are your expertise?

3. Who else is present in your market?

4. How large is your market?

Step 2 - Choose a Blog Topic

Blog topics are the central theme or subject of a blog that is used to give structure to content.

With that said, there are many ways to decide on your blog topic.

One way is to look at popular topics and see if any of them could be turned into a blog post.

While another way is to think about your own interests and figure out what you care most about.

Lastly, here are some tips that you might want to follow when deciding on what to write about:

• Be authentic
• Know your audience
• Keep it simple

Step 3 - Choose Tone of Voice

The tone of voice is the personality of your brand that is present in your blog.

Not only does this take into consideration words, but also how they are spoken and written.

So, it is important to make sure that your tone of voice connects with the audience you want to reach.

Since this will help you build a strong relationship with them, while blogging for your business.

Step 4 - Create Blog Outline

A blog outline is a powerful tool that can help you plan your blog posts.

Since it will help you to visualize the following:

• The main points that should be covered in the post
• What information you need to include
• How much time it will take to write

With that said, here are some steps you must take to help get you started:

• Decide upon a title for your blog post.
• Compile a list of sub-topics.
• Have each sub-topic contain a list of relevant questions.
• Followed by a list of points that are relevant to each question.

Step 5 - Carry out Research

Research is the backbone of any blog.

Not to mention, any good blog post.

Since it will help you create more credible and compelling content.

So, before you start a blog, please do some research, which typically means looking for inspiration in the following ways:

• Images
• Quotes
• YouTube
• Social media posts
• Other blog posts

Step 6 - Include Inbound and Outbound Links

Inbound links are links that point to another webpage.

While outbound links are links that your webpage points to.

Both types of links are important for the ranking of a blog post in search engines like Google.

Since the more inbound and outbound links a blog post has, the more likely it is to rank higher on search engine result pages (SERPs).

So, the goal of both inbound and outbound links is to build up your blog's domain name to the point where it is respected and will attract other websites, blogs, forums, etc.

Step 7 - Conduct Keyword Research

Keywords are the words or phrases that people use when they are searching for something online.

While keyword research is the process of finding out what people are searching for via search engines.

So, you should make a list of keywords that are relevant and specific to your blog post.

Before you use them.

Since it will make it easier for people to find it.

Lastly, if you are unsure about where to start with keyword research, try using tools like Wordstream and Answer The Public.

Since they will give you suggestions, based on popular search terms, that are related to your topic.

Step 8 - Use AI Writing Tools

AI writing tools are programs that assist writers in creating content.

Since they are able to generate content quite rapidly.

With that said, an AI writing tool that is useful is Rytr.

Since it will provide you with a wide range of features that help to create content and with very little effort.

Step 9 - Add Images

Images are important for your blog posts because they help the reader understand what the post is about.

Having said that, there are many websites where you can get free images for your blog.

With some of the most popular options being Unsplash and Pixabay.

Since they have a huge collection of high-quality images that you can use.

Lastly, while images are a common addition to most blog posts nowadays, you may also want to add the following:

• Videos
• Infographics
• GIFs
• Interactive maps and polls

Step 10 - Always Proofread

Proofreading is carefully checking for errors in text before it is published.

It is also an important part of the blog writing process, and knowing what tools to use can really help with this.

So, Grammarly, Quillbot and the Hemingway Editor are just some of the many tools you can use to check your writing, while blogging for your small business.

Blog Writing Services

Blog writing services are a great way to help you get your content out there.

Since they can help you with creating and maintaining your blog.

Where pricing is concerned, blogs can range from anywhere between $50 and $2000, depending on their quality, length, and subject matter.

Lastly, when searching for a professional blog writer to assist you, you may also want to head over to Fiverr.

Since there are a lot of good blog writers over there who can help you with blogging for your business.

Conclusion

So there you have it.

Blogs are an effective way for small businesses to reach out to their desired audience.

Since they allow for a personal touch that is rarely available through other marketing platforms.

So, while blogging for your small business, please keep in mind the following:

• Audience
• Topic
• Tone of Voice
• Blog Outline
• Research
• Outbound Links
• Inbound Links
• Keyword Research
• AI Writing Tools
• Images
• Proofreading

Finally, if it proves too difficult to handle, then you may also want to consider hiring a professional blog writer.

So, what are you waiting for?

Don't delay.

Get started with blogging for your small business today.

Finally, do contact me, if you require additional support.

Since I am an experienced Marketer with over 10 years of experience, and I am willing to lend a helping hand.

Alternatively, feel free to follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.