Blogging has hit the business world by storm over the past few years. Most people have come across the term now and when you consider that there are on average 200,000 blogs created every day, that is one almighty online growth.
But as blogging is getting talked about more and more, lots of people running their own business are quite rightly asking themselves "Is blogging something that I should be doing?"
From personal experience, blogging has had a huge impact on my business and brand. I have been blogging for almost 2 years now and it has created an amazing platform to share ideas, showcase my expertise and start communicating with people who I wouldn't normally attract through traditional methods of marketing.
But blogging is not for everyone and I thought I would share some pros and cons to blogging to help those of you who are considering getting started, to make sure they are making the right decision.
As I am so positive about blogging and know how powerful a marketing tool it can be, let's start with the pros:
Cheap! When you are self-employed or run your own business, budget is very important. So low cost marketing tools such as blogging should be seriously considered, especially if you are the initial stages of creating a website. Blogger is free to use, but I would recommend using systems such as Typepad, Square Space and Wordpress. For as little as $15 a month, you get a lot more useful tools and widgets as well as support for times that you get stuck.
Versatility. Blogs are so versatile, that you can create anything from a typical blog site through to an online magazine or even traditional style website. Using templates, there is no programming skills required - just time, a little curiosity and imagination. I would even go as far as recommending you blog first before creating a static website, especially when you start looking at the styles you can create using Wordpress Opensource which you host yourself (wordpress.org not the wordpress.com)
Google-Juice. Blogs which are regularly updated are a natural haven for the search engines. New content with new links, means more visits to update and index. Articles can be written with your key word focuses in the article titles, as well as using them in the simple to use tags.
RSS links to multiple sites. Your blog is fed to your subscribers using RSS technology. Think of it as your virtual newspaper delivery boy every time you publish an article. Most profiles on online networking sites such as facebook, myspace and Ecademy all have the capabilities to accept your RSS feed. Publish your article and you can instantly update your news feed or profile in all your social networking sites (as well as your main website if add to your home page, too).
Builds conversations with potential customers. Blogging may feel lonely when you first begin, but once your subscribers start to increase and people start to comment, your articles can create amazing conversations - both online and offline. Many businesses have taken to asking their blog subscribers about new products before official launches and asking for help to create programmes.
OK, I could go on but let's flip the coin and give you the cons.
Time. Blogging is not an activity that you dip in and out of. Posting new articles needs to happen at least 3 times a week if you want to see your subscribers grow and your business develop. There is nothing worse than a blog with articles weeks out of date appearing at the top of the page. It just looks like you have shut up shop.
The skill of writing. If you hate writing articles, then stay away from blogging. There are so many other ways to promote and grow your business, that you don't need to force yourself to do something that you hate. If you prefer to speak, then consider podcasting as a fantastic alternative.
Creativity and inspiration. What if you run out of things to write about? This is a big concern that many people seem to have. Personally I don't think anyone can ever run out of ideas, but starting from a blank screen every day is hard. If creativity is not your strong point, it is worth taking the time out to plan the topics of your articles a month ahead.
Giving up too early. Blogging is a long term marketing strategy. It is not a quick fix to attracting clients (although there is no reason why you shouldn't see some positives early on). It can take 5 or 6 months to build up your articles and start to attracting subscribers. It may take a year before you find people are regularly adding comments to your blog. But when it does start to happen, the buzz and the rewards are fantastic.
Keep it slow and steady and know that, like all good marketing, you are in it for the long term. Doing something little and often is far more powerful than blasting it for 2 weeks and moving on to the next thing on your list.
So there you have it. I am sure there are other pros and cons that some of you may wish to add. It would be great to read your thoughts so add a comment below.
Want to discover more about blogging?
If you want a quick and easy introduction to blogging as well as having all the terminology and techy bits explained in plain, simple English, then check out my Blogging Guide for Beginners.
As a special offer to the first 20 ordered, you will also receive the latest report that I have just finished: "7 Steps to Promoting Your New Blog"
Click here for more information and remember, if you are one of the first 20 orders, you will also recieve this special report included in the regular price.
) and ultimately become customers or recommend others to become customers.
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