Most of us have heard that people buy from folks they “know, like and trust.” So a logical question for a solo service professional looking to consistently attract more clients to their business is, “how do I get prospects to know, like and trust me quickly?”
One of the easiest ways is to write regularly on a blog.
What is a blog? Well, you’re reading one right now. It is an online journal that allows you to share your expertise with your audience and engage them in a two-way conversation. Writing a blog will help you to quickly gain visibility for your service offerings in a number of ways:
- Search engines (i.e. Google) LOVE blogs! The “spiders” that crawl around the Internet have a voracious appetite. They are constantly looking for content and answers to questions, so that when you type a particular phrase (or keywords) into your search box, they can find the exact answer you’re looking for. The more content that is regularly published on a blog on a particular subject, the more often the “spiders” come back and the more likely the blog content will show up first in various search results. This is great if YOU are the blog author because the more you write, the more often you will attract readers (i.e. prospective clients) who are already looking for the solutions that you provide!
- You can integrate your blog with your social media profiles (especially LinkedIn and Facebook) to get even more mileage out of the content you create. This is great for positioning yourself as a resource and a problem solver. This also provides another way for you to easily and regularly update your social media presence.
- It’s simple, comfortable and authentic way to develop a relationship with your audience. You can talk in your normal “voice” instead of perhaps your more formal professional voice, and really allow your readers to get to know you. Showing them that you identify with their biggest challenges and have support and solutions to offer will keep them coming back for more and can spark an interest in your paid services.
As you can see, there are a number of really good reasons you should start blogging about your business. My favorite resource for blogs is www.Wordpress.com (which does require some basic technical know how to setup). You can use one of the free themes offered there to get started or search around the web for premium paid themes and completely customize your blog to match your existing brand. If you are technically challenged and need more support, consider setting up your blog at Typepad. They offer numerous templates that are feature rich, easily customizable and easy on the eyes. You can setup your account and be up and running in literally 15 minutes. They also have great customer service and will host your blog for you for just a few dollars a month.
Whichever option you decide, take advantage of the inexpensive (or FREE) way to serve your audience and attract visibility to your business.
If you have tips on getting started with blogging or a story to share about how blogging has benefited your business, DO TELL by leaving your comments below!
Great information. Thanks for sharing. I have saved you in my favorites to follow your website. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks,
Shirley AKA “MsBeamer”
Hi Sydni:
This is very interesting information for a tchnically challenged oldie. I am going to give it a try and I am so very pleased that we are joined through linked in. Thank you, thank you,
In gratitude,
Richard Schneider
LOL! Thanks for the note Richard. Trust me …this can work wonders for your business, even if you’re “technically challenged”. 🙂 You would likely find TypePad to be a great resource. You can be setup and blogging within about 15 minutes. Check out http://www.Typepad.com and let me know what you think. 🙂
There was a study done where it was proven (not surprisingly) that people are more likely to buy something they do *not* need from someone they like than something they *do* need from someone they don’t like. So when I see a lot of people merely pushing links throughout LinkedIn, for instance, and not sharing in dialogue, they are missing a great opportunity to show who they are and gain a following. How do you start a discussion and then not reply to and engage the responders?
Regarding blogging, I’ll add that we not only write about what we do but *be* what we write. For instance, when I joined LinkedIn I first posted a discussion about Networking vs. Self Promotion ( http://bit.ly/9Klxkg ). Only 3 weeks later the Managing Editor of Forbes contacted me to meet me and asked to use excerpts ( http://bit.ly/PRNFORBES ). Shortly after I was invited to be a guest for a radio broadcast and when that was a most popular show, I was invited back to be a co-host months later. I recycled the content into a blog for the producer to use for his marketing efforts and continued to demonstrate my knowledge and savvy regarding social media (being *really* social) and writing. All that from one simple LinkedIn discussion and all in a matter of weeks.
So it’s one thing to tell a client, for instance, you write well. Then show it in *everything* you write. Proof, re-read, don’t be sloppy. If you claim to be a social media expert, then demonstrate it by how you interact with others online – don’t just tell others about it. Solve problems for others, share your own tips,
Blog away but do it as if the whole world is watching because you never know who is and what it will lead to. Finding something to read online is easy; finding quality content that’s refreshing, error-free and engaging is not. Be *that* blogger!
Now I interview others in my blog which sets it apart from others. Best-selling author Andrea Nierenberg and Aileen Pincus, a regular contributor to BusinessWeek magazine, are just a couple of interviews I’ve conducted and of course that means more exposure for me, because of course, others promote these interviews on *their* sites and throughout social media (and send me nice stuff, but that’s just a perk).
Don’t just blog – blog better!
Thanks so much for your input Patricia! You offer a number of excellent suggestions. And congrats on all the success you’ve enjoyed as a result of your marketing efforts. That’s fabulous!
Hi Sydni!!
I’ve come to really enjoy helping small biz understand and implement blogging into their marketing mix. I’ll be speaking on the subject next month at my local chamber office. Will add these tips to my resources/articles to share with the attendees.
Blogging is “simple, comfortable and authentic way to develop a relationship with your audience.”
Every business has it’s own unique voice. Many need a bit of help and encouragement to leverage this for greater success.
Great post, thank you for leading the way!
Jenelle