Getting started with blogging isn’t easy. Anyone who tells you otherwise either hasn’t done it or probably doesn’t understand how busy you are.
Source: A Simple Strategy for Writing Your First Series of Blog Posts
I’ll assume you understand the value of blogging for your business. First focus is to provide value to your readership. A bi-product of blogging for your business can equate to positioning yourself and your business as an industry leader. This may also lead to new sales!
So the question is, How Do I Start Blogging?
(Here’s a summary of the tips provided on the source article above)
Identify, What Are You Going To Write?
Your goal is to provide VALUE to your readership so, what are they searching for? Are there any tips, suggestions or questions they’re dying to know?
List Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a list of questions customers always ask? The questions can be simple or complex. As such, so can be your blog posts. Perhaps you can create a quick start guide or a decision tree infographic. Excellent ever-green content that can be used time and time again.
Start by answering the questions you feel would be relevant to the most people.
Writing Your First Blog Post
If you’re a Asset Management Professional (like me), and your question is, “How do I get employees to safeguard company property more effectively?”
Your first post might be, “10 Ways to Effectively Manage Company Assets.”
The author suggests a basic template for writing your first post:
- Introduction: This is where you set up the problem. “As an Asset Management Professional, one of the questions I am routinely asked is how to manage company assets more effectively. Here are 10 tips to consider, NOW.”
- Body: This is where you outline your list of tips. Although you only need 1-3 sentences to explain each tip. Be concise and write as much as you need to get your point across.
- Conclusion: This is your opportunity to provide a call to action. “These are just 10 ways you can improve your company asset management program. Want to learn more? Call us to set up an appointment.”
That’s it! You’ve written your first blog post!
Writing a blog post doesn’t have to be challenging, but it DOES have to offer value to your potential customers. Perhaps you can provide a detailed post (or additional premium content) from each of the detailed bullets listed in your top ten suggestions.
The Best Way To Ensure You Continue Blogging, is To Set Up a Schedule
There’s no one-size fits all. Come up with a schedule that works for you, and plan your content accordingly. Don’t wait until you have a few posts written before you launch a blog, instead, come up with an outline, pencil some ideas of articles you’d like to write, and start! I often recommend (depending on the business) starting with 1-2 posts more month. As you continue to grow you can add MORE as you’re able to handle the load.
Promote Your Content
One of the most neglected parts of blogging is businesses failure to promote their content. You’ve done amazing work, researched topics, provided exciting data… but no one is reading it. Unlike the Sandlot where “If you build it, they will come” your work isn’t done once you hit Publish. The next step is to promote your blog articles by sharing them on networks seeking this information. Are you part of a Linked In group or another Industry Network? Spread the word!
Need help getting started? Let us know how we can help in the comments below.
Until next time,
~ Viva!