With thousands of blogs starting everyday and more content being posted by the minute than anyone can keep track of, jumping onto the blog bandwagon can seem compulsory. But, blogging isn’t always the right fit for everyone or for every business. So when is blogging appropriate? And, if you hate to write, what alternatives are there?
According to ignitespot, small businesses with blogs generate 126% more leads and interesting contents is one of the top three reasons people follow brands on social media. Sharing helpful, tips and advice can help position your brand with the right audience. But here is the caveat: Blogs are a lot of work.
At every marketing workshop that I lead I always come across a participant that asks if they should finally start to blog because everyone else is doing it. And, my answer is always the same: Only if you know you can sustain it. Blogging means constantly feeding an bottomless pit with original content that engages, satisfies and challenges your audience. So, if you do decide to blog whether it be one a quarter, month or week just be prepared to stand by your commitment. It reflects worse on your brand to start something and not stay committed then to never start to begin with.
Wondering if blogging is right for you? There are generally five different kinds of bloggers:
- Part-time profession who use blogging to supplement income
- The Hobbyists who blog for fun
- The full-tome professions who blog as a full-time hob
- The Corporate who blogs for an organization
- The Entrepreneur who blogs for a company they own.
If you are blogging for professional reasons then it could help you increase leads, brand awareness and build your customer list. Just make sure you write about topics related to your target market’s interests. This will not only help keep your brand laser focused but also let your audience know what you are an expert in.
Not a fan of writing? That’s ok consider some other friendly user engagement methods. First off, there is always vlogging (Video Blogs) which you can record with your smartphone and post directly to your website. Alternatively, if you are trying to keep the commitment light, think about sharing monthly quizzes, newsletters or infographics.
Blogging can be a great way to establish your brand, build an audience and create leads but it is not meant for every business. If you see yourself struggling to maintain a blog or not sure how to keep it afloat then consider some of the other alternative options. In the end, you just want to make sure that your audience is engaged with your message, identifies with your purpose and sees you as a specialist in your field.
Below the infographic from Ignitepost on the pros & cons of blogging.
