Do I need to blog?

So, if you’re a busy business owner – should your marketing plan include a blog?  

Even if your blog never goes viral, or gets a single comment or social share, it still has value. Done right, blogging is a great way to showcase your knowledge, set yourself apart from the competition, and allow your customers to get to know you better. And that’s important – because people like to buy from people they know and trust. 

Writing a blog does not have to be complicated. But it does take planning and effort. Here are three tips to help you get started: 

1. Decide how often you want to post. Is it once a month, once a week, or more? (Remember that a weekly blog post means you’ll have to come up with 52 ideas per year.)

2. Brainstorm a list of topics. Stick to one idea per blog. 

3. Keep it conversational. You are not writing an English essay, PhD thesis, or competing for a Pulitzer Prize. Spelling and grammar still count, but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. 

And although you may have read that a blog needs to be at least 1,500 words long, the best blog is a blog that people actually read. No one has time for padding. My advice? Use the number of words you need, to say what you want to say.

Happy blogging!