Why should Small Business have a blog?

There are no real shoulds, musts and have-tos in small business. For every “rule” there is someone who has succeeded without it (or even by breaking it) and for every path to success there are dozens that wandered aimlessly not going anywhere fast.

So when it comes to reasons why [tag]small business[/tag] owners should have a [tag]blog[/tag], there are many good reasons but only you can make it wrong or right for your business.

You can take a risk and start a blog, and see where it might lead. A number of my friends and colleagues have take that road. You don’t have much to loose but opening another channel of [tag]communication[/tag] with your market.

But what have you got to gain? Why would you do it?

Here’s my small list of why you might want to consider it …..

Clarify what you do

Is there a space that you have online that clearly states what you and your business does? You might have static “services” style of web page somewhere but where else is that message being reinforced. A blog will allow you to reinforce (or not, as Des Walsh found recently) what you do in small incremental steps.

Uncover who you are

Unless you put some of who you are into your writing then you will just sound like a robot, or an advertising copywriter (ok, I’m ducking now). A blog will allow you to show not just what you do, but also who you are. Considering that people generally prefer to buy from people that they like, getting to know you via a blog would be a good first step.

Share what you know

I’ve said this before, and I will keep on saying it – Share it, don’t hide it. Your customers are not so much interested in your product or your service as they are about what is in your brain. A blog is an effortless way to publish your wisdom in bite-sized chunks. It provides you with your own publishing platform.

Create a community

When you ask people who have been publishing blog posts for 12 months or more what are the most surprising benefits of a blog, almost will mention the community (or network if you like) that has been developed. Paula G mentioned the conversations only yesterday in response to me asking readers why do they blog.

Create a client workspace

Ever wanted to find a way to share information, tools and resources with your clients in a really easy and straight-forward way? A way that will deliver a note to the client telling them when you have loaded up something new? A private blog space is a great way to do that! (A note to Working Solo clients – you will be seeing one of these coming your way very soon).

Provide keyword rich content to both your readers and search engines

Blogs are one of the most natural forms of written [tag]business communication[/tag] I have come across. In good blogs the marketing speak is kept to a minimum (well in my book anyway). And when people open their favourite search engine and type in a query do you think that they will use words that match your USP (unique selling proposition or ugly soporific promotions, your choice)? Or do they use natural language? Words that might actually be a problem they have or a solution they are looking for? Natural, conversational language is keyword rich.

Improve your online findability

Not being findable online is like setting up your shop in the back alley behind the butcher (great if you happen to be a fertiliser producer). Dave Taylor, said it wonderfully in his book Growing Your Business with Google.

Findability is about content! It’s about content, lots of content, that’s relevant, interesting, compelling for your potential customers …

Blogs are one of the easiest ways I have come across to add content to your online space.

With all these reasons that support your as a small business owner, why wouldn’t you take the step now and start a blog space for your business?  You could always continue to resist an idea who’s time has come.
Image from Hugh McLeod at gapingvoid

[tags]findability, keyword rich content, improved marketing, develop community[/tags]