Between Facebook posts and Twitter tweets, it seems like there are a thousand-and-one ways to communicate virtually these days.
However, what many in the business world overlook is blogging. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is recommending that business owners consider some simple blog implementation strategies to heighten their business’s visibility on the web.
A blog dedicated to the thoughts of a business’s president or CEO, or a business’s mission, can serve as a meaningful way to attract potential customers — and allow business owners to establish themselves as a thought leader in their respective market(s). Business blogs can be linked from the business’s web site, Facebook page and Twitter account, and are a great way of sharing the longer, more thought provoking messages.
According to a recent survey by HubSpot, 57% of companies using blogs reported that they acquired customers from leads generated directly from their blog. They go on to find that businesses are now in the minority if they do not blog. From 2009 to 2011 the percentage of businesses with a blog grew from 48% to 65%.
So what’s so great about a blog? A blog gives a business owner the chance to communicate in more of a dialogue-like setting with his or her constituents. Limited characters and space can confine a message in some settings. A blog allows for a full message to be shared and can even be catered towards targeted audiences.
The BBB recommends that business owners consider the following when implementing a blog for their business.
• Heightened visibility is always a plus. When you blog, you get more eyes on your business and increase your search engine optimization.
• Voicing your passion gets your customers noticing. Letting your customers see how and why your business came about, and sharing what it is you love about doing what you do is a great way to make a connection with your audience. With (almost) no length limits, a blog is a great platform to share exactly what it is that makes your business different from the rest.
• A blog can serve as a great networking tool. A blog is a great place to inspire your constituents and build a subscriber base. By giving your voice a platform and reaching out to other fellow business bloggers, you have the ability to establish a solid business-to-business network.
