- Blogging is a great way for you to interact with your customers on a regular basis, as well as drive traffic to your website.
- Blogs can also position you as an industry leader simply by writing knowledgeable and informative content.
- There are many blog types and trends that may be useful for your business to consider.
While researching blog services, we stumbled across some interesting and some not so interesting blogs. A number of people write about dull topics like the social life of their dust bunnies, whereas others write about controversial or motivating topics that inspire empathy and action.
Blogs are an outlet and a stimulator, and unlike many publishing sources, blogs are equally available to everyone. So no matter how uncommon, unique or trivial the topic is, it can be shared.
Why is blogging important?
Blogging is probably more important for your business than you realize. Wishblog suggests there are four main reasons why your business needs to and should blog on a regular basis: to drive traffic to your website, increase your SEO, make yourself an industry leader and develop a deeper customer relationship.
When you blog, you have the opportunity to create relevant information for your customers. This can be a marketing technique to get customers to your website. When you store your blog on your website, it can begin the foundational piece for all social media. You are able to post links with visuals for your blog to all your social media sites.
When you continue to add new and interesting content to your blog, it can help your search engine results. This helps you stay ahead of your competition. You always want to use keywords in your articles because that is how your article ranks in search engines.
When you have articles that are well written, you can position your business as a leader in the industry. When you understand your market, it allows you to post topics that give you an opportunity to share information and promote your marketing skills. You can even write blogs about your products or services. This can help you build trust with your customers because it shows that you have a deep knowledge of your field. You may be able to educate your customers on a specific topic.
You may be surprised to know that blogs can help you connect with your customers. This helps your customers get to know you and your products. When you provide information to customers, it builds trust.
Here are 12 interesting trends we have noticed in the blogosphere.
1. Informative blogs
We commend the time it must take to research and write informative blogs. Some cover topics in history or current events; others relate detailed information on hobbies, techniques or procedures.
2. Creative rants
Rants are posted everywhere and we understand that it must feel good to get the frustration out. But some bloggers have made the extra effort to make their rants entertaining, informative and even funny.
3. Company weblogs
Companies are beginning to see the benefit of projecting a more human or approachable image and are publishing blogs. We have seen some blogs that do a good job educating customers about products or even frustrations and accomplishments involved in developing a new product.
4. Personal accounts
Often news broadcasters/ publishers do not have the time or space to relate the whole story. Some writers are taking it upon themselves to document the daily details of an event, like a political race or a natural disaster. This has added a ground-level, human voice to pivotal events.
5. Cultural introspectives
Some people are using their blogs to help others understand their culture, history and social views, in the hope that understanding will inspire improved global relations and altruistic action.
6. Pioneering ideas
Many blogs start a buzz or promote original ideas before they are realized or marketed to the general public. Since most blogs are not motivated by monetary goals they are free avenues of discussion of innovative or alternative thought.
7. Niche notching
Blogs are cheap or free and readily available, so even blogs that cover obscure or unique topics find readers. No matter what your interest is, you can find a blog on that topic.
8. Family blogs
Staying in touch is hard, and there are always schedule conflicts. Some families use a blog to share family news and pictures and the blog is available to the entire family any time of day.
9. Creative writing
Getting published is hard; publishing a book takes a long time and comes with challenges. Some writers are skipping the traditional publishing route and just writing. Blogs can get a writer's work out to the world in a hassle-free manner. We found many well-composed and thoughtful posts originated by talented writers.
10. Travel blogs
We discovered interesting travel accounts. Some bloggers write about vacationing, others about their tour of service or their research and humanitarian efforts in an impoverished or developing country.
11. How-to blogs
These are simple blogs to write. They are typically about items you already know and understand. You are simply breaking down the steps to the process in the simplest terms and smallest steps possible.
12. Checklist blogs
This is another simple form of blog content. Most of us make lists all the time; think of grocery lists and to-do lists. You can use that same idea in your particular field and create a checklist that makes sense in your work environment. The best checklists have clear and actionable items.
Blogs can inspire, inform or incite. They can be used to document the smallest detail of one life or the largest, most urgent issues of the entire human race. No matter the topic or the writer this avenue of self-expression is open to everyone.