Have you jumped on the bandwagon and started a blog for your business just because everyone says you should?
If so, this is a good start.
‘Everyone’ is right; you do need a blog to compete online. But a blog is only an effective marketing tool if it is done correctly. Don’t fall into the trap of making these common blogging mistakes.
Mistake #1: Posting Occasionally
When you start a blog, you need to make a commitment to write posts regularly and often. One post a month isn’t going to get you anywhere. Shoot for at least weekly. Daily is even better. If you don’t provide fresh content, there is no reason for the one-time visitor to ever return.
Mistake #2: Posting Advertisements
This does not refer to affiliate marketing ads placed in the sidebar of your blog; it does refer to posts that are written as one long advertisement for your company and its products or services. Nothing angers visitors more than clicking on your latest blog post only to find that it endlessly extols the virtues of your business.
Always offer something useful to the reader whether this is giving them knowledge, reporting the latest industry news, or relating a subject of current interest. Then again, content can just be entertaining, too. If it’s done well it could go viral and bring an increase in traffic to your site.
Mistake #3: Boring Posts
This point is closely related to the second mistake listed here. The content you post needs to be something people want to read, view, or listen to. Sure, you may be the foremost authority on the breeding habits of the common snail but does anyone really want to read 3,000 words about it? Information is good and humour is always welcome, but try to limit posts to 400-600 words or so; any longer than that and you risk losing the reader halfway through.
Mistake #4: Getting Too Personal
There is a fine line between being perceived as accessible to your customers and going overboard on personal facts. Visitors reading your posts do want to know that a person exists behind the business name so it’s always good to introduce yourself and relate a bit of your background and expertise. But refrain from writing posts that go over Aunt Melba’s bunion surgery in detail or spotlight your child’s latest academic achievement. Such content belongs on a personal blog (then again, in the case of Aunt Melba, maybe not…), definitely not one related to your business.
Mistake #5: Not Moderating Comments
It’s unfortunate but true; spammers are lurking around every corner just waiting to post a comment on your website with a link to a site of questionable quality. Nothing looks more unprofessional than a business blog filled with inane, irrelevant, or transparent advertising comments. Use Akismet or any other anti-spam blocker, depending on the software platform of your blog, and keep it updated. Remember to take a look at the dashboard every now and then, too, and ensure that the software didn’t quarantine a genuine comment. You do want to encourage visitors to leave comments so don’t make it too difficult.
Blogging for a business can be a great way to market your products or services, improve your SEO, and increase brand awareness but only if you don’t fall prey to these common mistakes.
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Sean Rasmussen is an Aussie Internet Marketer.
He has been earning a full time living online since 2005 as a professional blogger and has sold in excess of $7 Million of products through Affiliate Marketing.
He now enjoys educating Aussies in the art of making a living online from the comfort of their own homes.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
As usual Sean is providing great content. It still amazes me how the spammers think it is ok to send out garbage. As Sean so rightly points out when online you have to be forever on your guard.
Sharing info about yourself is best done in an about page.
What's wrong with blogging about your kids' academic performance?? Heehee, people don't actually do that, do they? You're kidding me!
Lina
good content and some things i didn't know also thanks