The internet paved the way for businesses to explore new horizons.
Today, it is so much easier, and more affordable, to reach out to potential customers through blogging and social media. However, there are basic rules that you should not ignore if you want your blog to succeed and advance your business interests. Here are the things you should and should not do for blog writing for small businesses.
6 Dos of Blog Writing: Blog Writing for Small Businesses
1. Have a Particular Niche
Your blog must be organized in such a way that customers can easily navigate through the topics you offer. Or better yet, your blog must be focused on a single niche. This strategy creates an impression of specialization and therefore adds credibility.
2. Include Pictures
People are more likely to read a post that has pictures than entries made of pure text. Pictures fire up something in the human brain and spark interest. Make sure that your photographs are original and clear enough for viewers to see.
3. Include Links
Linking your posts to other sites provides your readers with an avenue to explore other websites. A blog entry that shares the content of others is an excellent resource of knowledge. Furthermore, your blog entries must have links that will take your reader to another article within your blog site. These links allow you to expose your products which your reader would never have found otherwise.
4. Commit to a Schedule
A blog site must have a regular entry at the same interval. This approach creates a perception of consistency and discipline. Like a newspaper, you must offer something new all the time, something that your readers will benefit from to keep them coming back or at the very least, share your article with their friends.
5. Add Value to the Reader
The title and the first few sentences of your article must tell the reader right away what to expect. After reading, the reader must feel, and think, that your blog entry added something to his knowledge, or perhaps challenged his current product choices.
6. Call to Action
Your blog entry must entice a reader to act. You want him to buy something from you, but this is not imperative. A blog for small businesses must always have a Call to Action button like Buy Now, Order Now, Share, Ask for Directions (if you have a brick-and-mortar business), Message Us Now, or Call Now.
6 Don’ts of Blog Writing: Blog Writing for Small Businesses
1. Don’t Use Clickbait Titles
This is really bad. A clickbait article will ruin your credibility. Perhaps it will entice a lot of readers to click, but you risk alienating these people and having them block your site.
2. Don’t Plagiarize
Copying someone’s work is a manifestation of dishonesty and laziness. If you can copy someone’s work and peddle it as your own, what is stopping you from taking advantage of your customers? If you run out of ideas, invite other bloggers to guest post on your site. Make sure you give proper credit to whom it is due.
3. Don’t Ignore Comments
Always thank readers who give comments and answer their questions politely. Engagement is key to a successful blog. Remember, it is innate for people to feel valued if their sentiments are listened to and if their questions are answered.
4. Don’t Compromise Quality
Quality is an all-encompassing expectation that includes grammar, syntax, font size, content length, value, and much more. Never publish an article for the sake of meeting a deadline. Quality is rare, and readers know the difference between high quality and mediocrity.
5. Don’t Spam Your Customers
It is typical for small business owners to spam their customers with email promotions, advertisements, product endorsements, and the like. A reader who reads a blog wants information, but not a bombardment of product endorsements that he may not be interested in.
6. Don’t Preach and Lecture
A blog is supposed to be a source of information and must be fun. However, if it leans towards offending the sensibilities of others, you can rest assured that your blog is going to be a breeding ground of animosity. And any business in which negativity overpowers positive thoughts is undoubtedly going to close soon.
Summary: Blog Writing for Small Businesses
Blogging can be a profitable venture if done right. It is where you communicate to your readers and add value to their lives. Soon, you can position some of your blog spaces for running ads. You can also use it to post your affiliate links and lead your prospective customers to make purchases of the products you endorse.
Keep it focused, simple, and useful.
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