How to Start Your Company Blog
We’ve all heard the “whys” of business blogging, but not many people tell the “hows” of getting started. Blogging can seem like a big audacious task. Here are five useful tips to get from conception to launch-time.
#1: Create a list of topics.
This step is crucial to having an ongoing, dynamic, and interesting blog. Spend time deciding what you want to tell your audience. What questions would you like to answer? What are your industry’s hot topics? What information would you love to share? What common misconceptions can you clear up? What insights do you have about your industry?
#2: Just start writing.
Have you heard the expression “writers write”? It’s true. Once you get in the habit of writing about your favorite topics, you will have a lot to say. Pick a topic idea and brainstorm key points, then write. Soon you will churn out articles quickly. After you write up a blog, set it aside for a few hours or a day, and then reread it to make edits. Then post your blog!
#3: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Business owners are busy; it’s likely you will need help with your blog. Maybe you want to write the majority of the articles and hand off some article writing to a co-worker. Or draw up outlines and hire professional writer to make all of the blogs sound pretty. Having multiple bloggers keeps content fresh and helps cover multiple angles. Maybe you need someone to deal with the technology. Whether you are outsourcing a little or a lot, there are plenty of resources out there.
#4: Carve out time by setting up a schedule.
Plan to work on the blog one or two times a week. Schedule it on your calendar, making a specific goal such as “write rough draft of blog to be posted by the end of the month.”
#5: Blend in your brand’s design
Having a blog on your website has many benefits: regular updates of the content on your blog will boost website optimization, it gives you a chance to extent your business brand to a new level, and the blog validates the company’s industry knowledge. The layout and design of your blog should coincide with your website which is easy to do with WordPress.
Starting and maintaining a blog can mean a lot of upfront work. Still, once the basics are in place and you fall into a rhythm, blogging can be very rewarding. Share your knowledge through blogging and watch for the return of positive feedback from your readers!