Information on How to Create a Business Blog

What is a Business Blog?

If you spend much time online, you are probably familiar with the concept of blogging. The term “blog” is an abbreviated form of the phrase “web log.” A blog is an online journal. Topics can be about anything. Many people keep personal blogs that reflect their interests and hobbies, such as My Scrapbook Blog and Vegan Lunch Box.

Why Do I Need a Business Blog?

It is becoming more and more common for businesses to utilize blogging as a form of promoting their products and services by communicating with customers on an ongoing basis. Blogs can be a great way to attract new customers to your company, and to cultivate loyalty among established customers. Blogging has the potential to be a powerful tool to encourage existing and prospective customers to seek out your company’s website several times each week.

In order to serve its purpose, your business blog must be interesting. People aren’t going to take time out of their busy lives to read information that focuses on why your company is so great. Instead, people seek out blogs that provide information that can help them. Your part as a blogger is to target topics which challenge and benefit your audience on an ongoing basis.

Small Business Blog Examples

Many companies specialize in helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. For such organizations, blogs that provide tips about small business ownership can be a powerful marketing tool. By providing valuable information to prospective clients through business blogs, these companies are able to cultivate long-term customer relationships.

Business blogs that target small business customers include:

• Daily Biz Solutions.com from MTI Business Solutions
• Entrepreneur Daily from Entrepreneur Magazine
• Microsoft’s Small Business Blog
• Passion Meets Purpose from Business and Life Coach Kammie Kobyleski
• Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams (businessinfoguide.com/blog) from Business Info Guide & Pro Publishing Services
• Small Business Today from USA Today

This diverse group of business blogs represents companies of all sizes, from small home-based businesses to mult-inational corporations. These blogs are very different in how they are executed, yet very similar in purpose. Each provides useful information to customers and prospects, and encourages repeat online contact with the organization through its website. People who return to your website time and time again are likely to become customers and refer your organization to others.

Learn From Blogs About Blogging

There are a number of popular blogs about blogging. They are designed to help people learn how to develop and manage a blog, and are excellent resources for finding information on how to create a business blog.

• About.com Weblogs
• Business Blog Consulting.com
• Daily Blog Tips
• Pro Blogger
• Blog Herald

More Information on How to Create a Business Blog

• Blog Lightning: How To Create and Promote Your Small Business Blog In A Flash, a step-by-step tutorial from small business blogger and marketing coach John Jantsch
• How to Create a Business Blog from Web Market Central
• Tools for Bloggers from BusinessInfoGuide.com

Choosing a Blog Platform

When you’re ready to set up your business blog, the first thing you will need to do is select your blogging platform. Popular choices include:

• Blog Harbor: Template-based web publishing tool. Free trial available.
• Blogger: This is a completely free blogging platform. It does have limited functionality, and your blog URL will have “blogspot” in it.
• Typepad: Many professionals and small businesses utilize Typepad for their blogging needs. Free trial available.
• Word Press: This popular, free blogging platform is widely used in the blogosphere for personal, consumer, and business-to-business blogging.

Setting Up Your Blog Online

Once you select your blog platform, you will need to set up your blog website. The technique for setting up your site will vary based on the application you select. Depending on your level of expertise, you may be able to take care of taking your blog live on your own, or you may need the help of a website professional. If you hired someone to set up your primary company website, the same person or company will likely be able to provide assistance with your blog.

Content Strategy

In order to be effective, blogs must be updated frequently. Before you launch your blog, it’s a good idea to give some thought to how often you plan to keep the site populated with useful and appealing information. Some business blogs feature all unique content, written by the business owner, manager, or employees. Others hire ghostwriters to create blog content each week. Whoever writes the blog content, it must be updated regularly.

There are also a number of resources for free reprint articles that you can use on your blog, including:

• Articles Base
• Ezine Articles
• Idea Marketers
• Isnare.com Articles
• Many Others

Books About Creating Business Blogs

There are a number of recent books that provide comprehensive information on how to create a business blog.

• Blog Marketing by Jeremy Wright
• Blog Schmog: The Truth About What Blogs Can and Can’t Do For your Business by Robert Bly
• Blog Wild: A Guide for Small Business Blogging by Andy Wibbels
• Business Blogs: A Practical Guide by Bill Ives and Amanda G. Watlington
• The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get it Right by Debbie Weil.
• Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers by Robert Scoble
• The Secret Power of Blogging: How to Promote and Market Your Business, Organization, or Cause With Free Blogs by Bruce C. Brown

Creating Your Business Blog

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to enhance your company’s marketing efforts, a business blog may be exactly what you need.