Should I blog for my small business

Harvest House CafeHow do you tell if a blog is right for your small business? What if you've heard of blogs, but aren't sure what it means? For today's Small Biz 100, we're going to go over some small business blog basics.

First, what is a blog? It's a special type of website, one that is designed to be regularly updated. Posting an update is about the same as writing an email. This site is a blog, and I also use one for my small business, Allen's Retail Liquors. If you haven't set up a website before, do get some help at least with the setup.

Now to the big question, should you blog for your small business? Here is one great way to tell. Write down every basic question a customer asks you. Start today, and do this for two weeks. If you end up with a long list of questions you can answer, then you have enough material to start a blog. If you don't, then a blog may not work as well for.

But what if my customers aren't online?
Of course, you'd love to have your blog draw more local customers in your front door, or bring you more signed contracts. However, that might not work if you are in a small town with few local people online. Drawing customers isn't the only purpose to blogging.

Side benefits from blogging
  1. An answer resource for customers.
    The next time a customer asks you a basic question, you can encourage them to read the answer online. 
  2. An answer resource you can publish in many forms.
    Once you've written those answers, you can:

    • print them out as handouts
    • compile a short booklet
    • put them on a CD as PDF files
    • make a speech you deliver to educate potential customers.

The one BIG secret to make it work: 
Focus on what customers want to know, not what you want to tell them about your business.



This article is part of the Small Biz 100, a series of 100 practical hands-on posts for small business people and solo entrepreneurs. If you have questions you'd like us to address in this series, leave a comment or send us an email at becky@smallbizsurvival.com. This is a community project!


Photo by Becky McCray.
Posted by Becky McCray on Monday, March 09, 2009
Categories: ,

6 comments:

  1. I'd also reccomend small businesses don't start a blog unless they are really ready for the time commitment.

    It takes a lot of time an energy to write a good blog on a regular basis. It can take a long time to get a following and if you just stop after a few weeks, your site becomes a dead end.
    best,

    Chris O.
    Referral Key
    “Your Trusted Referral Network”
    http://www.referralkey.com/small-business-blog/
    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing your views about the importance of blogs in todays life.

    Letting people know about your products and services through blogs is a wonderful practice, this invites many new visitors to your site who might be unaware of the services you have to offer.This is the best way to spread the word.
    ReplyDelete
  3. And thanks for reminding us all to focus on what the customer wants and engaging in the conversation that way, not just spewing out more marketing drivel! Blogs should be personal and fun, too.
    ReplyDelete
  4. Your blog is totally on point, as well as chris his comment.
    If you have a small business don’t start a blog if:
    - You don’t have the time
    - It's just a few of your (potential) clients who are online, it’s a waste of time
    - Don’t have any topics
    - Blog is not adding to your business

    I think it’s great you pointed out, you need to focus on the customers needs and questions. The blog should be adding to your business, it should give them answers to their questions, information and a good story to read. This is not only a tip for small businesses, all businesses should keep that one in mind!

    Marketing Eye Digital
    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks, everyone for your comments. It's also worth noting that some people are more comfortable writing than others. That makes a big difference to the beginning level of comfort for any small business person who is considering blogging.
    ReplyDelete
  6. While it might easy for someone to assume that because they are small or in a small town that they should not blog but like many things a blog is a tool. It is a great way to communicate to your customers and get feedback. I can also make others aware that may not be aware of your business etc...as well as a means to network with others like yourself and share ideas.
    ReplyDelete

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