A blog is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your business. Not only does it cast a wider net for clients who may not have found your services otherwise, it also allows you to build authority in your space at the same time.
I know what you're thinking. Are blogs even relevant anymore? Isn't everyone on TikTok? While the answer to the latter question might be yes, that doesn't mean blogs are dead in the water. They can still be a very useful tool that essentially runs in the background of your site as a way to bring more eyes to it.
If you've ever Googled a quick "how to," chances are that you've ended up on a business' blog at least a few times. Car repair businesses will have posts about how to change a tire or how to know when your car needs an oil change. A business that sells furniture might have tips on cleaning stains off a white couch or easy at-home repairs to spruce up your space.
The important think to note is that not every post will lead someone to booking your business. Some might actually keep them from ever needing your business, such as the tire changing tips or the DIY repairs. However, it's giving your business valuable visibility and creating trust with new potential clients. When they do need an expert, they're more likely to give your business a call.
If you're thinking about a blog for your business, here's a few simple steps to get started:
Research the competition: Pick a few of your competitors and go to their websites. Do they have a blog? If so, what topics are they writing about? How often to they post? How many blogs do they have in total (and, with that, how long has the company been around)? All of these answers will help give you an idea of how to run your own blog. Or, how not to. As much as researching your competition may give you some helpful tools, it might also give you an idea of how you'd like to operate differently and set your site apart.
Compile blog ideas: Before you start writing, it's worth brainstorming plenty of ideas for your blog. You can find inspiration from looking at other blogs in your niche, as well as thinking about what you wish you knew before entering that space. You can ask current clients for feedback that could spur blog post ideas, and even just comb through internet boards for conversations that spark ideas. There are so many ways to develop ideas for your blog. The most important thing is keeping those ideas compiled somewhere so that your well never runs dry.
Keyword Research: SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a crucial part of ensuring your blog's success. In order for your blog to be high up on search engines and therefore reach clients, each post needs to include key words — generally ones that are commonly searched. For example, key words for this blog include blog writing, freelance writers, and copywriting. When you are first starting out, you can use Google Trends to compare keywords and phrases to gauge which are already getting traffic and would be best to incorporate into your blog.
Find a Writer: If you are not a writer yourself, you'll likely want to outsource the creation of the blog posts to a freelancer. Freelancers offer tons of flexibility and expertise that may serve you better than hiring a full-time writer. They also may be able to assist with keyword research and SEO. Freelancers can be found on LinkedIn, Fiverr, Upwork, and more.
Post: Once you've found a writer and have your ideas in hand, all that's left is to start posting! These action items are meant to be repeated as you fine tune your blog. You will need to continually conduct keyword research, refresh your ideas, and keep an eye on your competition to make sure that your blog is relevant to clients. The most important aspect of blogging is to be consistent. The more you post, and the more that you continue to optimize, the better it will become.
If you're in need of a freelance writer, hit the "Work With Me" tab at the top of the page to see all my services. If you don't see anything that suits your needs, feel free to send me a message.
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