Arrow
Back
What is a blog? And why it's good to start one
July 3, 2024
Storytelling
What is a blog?

The blog is a section of your website containing articles which are regularly posted. It's a place to communicate with customers - and to attract new ones. When it comes to blogging, there is no real limitation to the content that you create. It could be that you write about industry insights or to comment on what's new in your industry. Businesses looking for a more personal feel can use other content, such as 'Meet the Team' posts.

Blogs should reflect the tone of your business, offer information that is interesting for your target audience, and tell your readers why you are awesome - but not directly. The point of a blog should be to provide a soft sell, rather than a hard sell.

Why should I start a blog?

A common characteristic of the blogs we enjoy reading is that they provide useful information. Take a look at the blogs of Medium and Canva. Their blogs are as perfect examples. They publish useful content on a regular basis that customers value.

Through blogging you can provide customers with useful information that enhances your brand. Additionally, it will generate new leads, convert them into customers, and turn them into loyal brand ambassadors.

The four main goals of a business blog

It's crucial to build your strategy around a powerful blog. Before you begin writing, its important to consider your goals. An online blog helps you establish yourself as an expert in your field, which can have other benefits. Here are our top four reasons for blogging.

1. Reach new customers

By blogging, you can reach a whole new audience. You will gain exposure for your business by writing shareable and engaging blog posts. People who click on your blog are well-positioned to buy your latest products.

2. Create new content to share on social media

We know how hard it is to come up with Instagram posts five times a week. Writing a regular blog will ease that burden. It gives you new content to share on all of your social media channels. Blog posts can also be shared on social media by your followers.

Will anyone share posts by small business owners - a hairdresser, a cafe, or an art gallery? The answer is yes! We generate over 200 shares for our client's blog posts on social media despite them being closed over the pandemic.

3. Improve your online presence

A blog is also a great way to build your own online profile. You can build your credibility by showcasing your industry knowledge. People will notice you as long as you post useful content rather than thinly veiled ads.

After they do, you'll have a lot more opportunities to publish yourself as a guest blogger or guest writer. This will lead to your website being linked back to, which is also good for SEO. Which brings us to...

4. Generate backlinks

When you are writing for another website, it is a good idea to link to a genuine source of quality information in your article. It's even better when that genuine source is your own blog - as that backlink can boost your website's search engine ranking.

It's not just about guest posts. You might get links from other blogs naturally. People tend to link to websites that offer unique things like original research, great infographics, enticing videos, or just make a good argument in an article.

My mind is made up! How do I create a blog?

Easy! Follow these three simple steps:

1. Decide on the focus of your blog

If possible, your blog should focus on the niche that you are in. Concentrate on solutions to problems your potential customers may have. You have to answer two questions: What will your customers be searching for, and how can you help them?

2. Brainstorm topics to write about

The next step is to actually come up with topics to write about based on your keywords. There is no doubt that brainstorming requires creativity. Suppose you want to keep things related to your keyword, so why not do a simple brainstorm with pen and paper?

3. Learn how to monetise your blog

The next step is to begin writing. While this process also requires creativity, it's important to keep in mind that this is not a novel or an autobiography. It is important to write for a purpose. This activity is time-consuming, so you should see a return on your investment. The purpose of your blog is to make money. You must master both SEO-friendly writing and the soft sell in order to accomplish this.

If you want a highly-trained writer to create SEO-friendly blog posts that sell your product and services and generate tons of exposure for your brand, contact us today!

About the author

Caria Watt is a Digital Strategist who has a passion for smart, authentic communication. She has helped 50+ leading brands build brand awareness, and customer trust. Caria is also a TV Presenter and host of #CariaCares - Digital Strategy podcast, a Business Building Expert for the Holistic Entrepreneur Association, and writes for The Good Men Project, Thrive Global, and Website Content & Clicks.  In her spare time, you’ll find her burning toast whilst simultaneously learning something new to feed her entrepreneurial addiction.
Join 76K+ other service providers who subscribe to my free newsletter.
Thank you! We'll send a welcome note.
Oops! Something went wrong while updating the form