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Blog Content Ideas To Keep Your Writing Going

When I'm struggling for content for my blog, I go through a list of ideas of different types of content that is great for a business blog.  Here's some of my best suggestions:

1) Comment on a recent news article related to your business

2) Write a review of a recent book you read and make sure to keep it business related.

3) Conduct a poll or post about some poll results you recently found interesting.

4) Get the help on a guest blogger to give your blog some fresh content and you a needed break.

5) Write about the latest problem you solved with your customers.  I bet you're spending a lot of time answering emails (I know I am :)) So why not take those answers to your clients and post them on your blog?

6) Re purpose the articles you write for your newsletter and post them on your blog and other article directories.

I hope these different ideas helped you spark some new content ideas for your business blog. If you have any content ideas that you use for your blog I would love to hear about it?

Jennifer Haubein publishes "SiteNotes" a FREE bi-weekly ezine for small business owners who want a website that actually works.  Is your website not attracting you clients? Don't miss my Special Report "5 Reasons Your Current Website Just Doesn't Work!" Get your free report at www.BestBizWebsiteSolutions.com/newsletter.html.

5 Ways A Blog Can Help Your Business

A lot of small business owners are jumping on the blogging bandwagon and there is a very good reason for this. A blog is a very effective tool for your small business, if used correctly. You're probably wondering if a blog can really help your business or if it is just another fad. There are several reasons business owners are blogging about their business. Blogging helps not only their bottom line, but also their customer relations. Below are the top 5 ways a blog can help your business:

1. Helps potential customers and the media find you- Search engines love blogs! If you post to your blog with search engines in mind, potential customers and the media will find you and your content rich information much easier. But be aware that just because you set up a blog and post a few times does not mean the search engines will find your blog right away. It does take a little bit of time to grow your business blog. Just keep posting content related to your expertise and the press, clients, and search engines will come.
2. Establishes your role as an expert in the field- A blog is a great tool to set yourself apart from the competition as establishing yourself as the expert in your industry. By sharing your opinions on industry news or topics your customers are interesting will automatically generate public speaking invitations and a general perception of your clients as "the expert". For consultants and coaches being viewed as "the expert" is essential. This allows you to raise your rates and never have to worry about where your next client will come from.
3. Creates a dialogue between you and your customers- A blog is different from a website, because it creates a dialogue between you and your blog visitor. As long as you allow comments on your blog, which I highly suggest you do, your blog sets up a unique dialogue between you and your customers. Wondering if your next product or service will be a success, just look to your blog for the answer. If you're already blogging, but haven't received comments yet try asking questions at the end of your blog posts to get the conversation going.
4. Another format to constantly reach your customers- With spam filtering and junk mail settings, sometimes your emails never make it to your customers. But with a blog and a RSS feed, a geeky term for how your blog is delivered, your customers can receive your blog content automatically. It's best to reach your customers in multiple formats whether it's mail, email, blogging, or public speaking. Blogging just adds another tool to your follow-up methods.
5. Free advertising- Who doesn't want free advertising for their small business? A blog is a great      way to advertise your services and products without spending a dime. But be careful not to hit them over the head with a hard sales message. It's best to just give great content and mention a few of your services or products within the posts.

Jennifer Haubein publishes “SiteNotes” a FREE bi-weekly ezine for small business owners who want a website that actually works. If you’re ready to get insider tips website developers don’t want you to know, and start making more money online, get your FREE tips now at http://www.BestBizWebsiteSolutions.com/newsletter.html. 

Check out my new step by step blogging system "Blogging For Business: Attract More Clients and The Attention Of The Press". 

Why Your Small Business Needs A Blog

On the front cover of one of my favorite magazines "Entrepreneur" was the article headline "Why Your Business Needs A Blog".  I've been designing blogs for several years for my clients and I've noticed the requests have been on the rise.  Why?  Because business blogging is a great tool to attract new clients to your small business.  Blogging is more conversational and interactive than the usual interactions with your potential or current clients.  Blogging content changes frequently so search engines and customers love it!  So have you been thinking about setting up a blog for your small business?  Or if you're blogging already how's it going?

This link isn't the exact article I saw, but I thought it had some great tips!

http://www.entrepreneur.com/technology/techtrendscolumnistpeteralexander/article175236.html

What To Write About On Your Business Blog

It's good to be personal with your customers and potential customers, but remember a business blog is not a personal blog.  Keep in mind you're trying to get the attention of search engines in the area of your expertise.  If you are writing about your family vacations and other personal subjects, your potential customers are never going to find your blog. 

Here are some great topics to write about on your blog:

1) Recent case studies in your area of expertise

2) Re-purpose your newsletter articles and publish them on your blog

3) Recent client testimonials

4) Trends in your industry

5) How to tips

The list goes on and on, but remember to keep your target market in mind when writing to your blog.  They'll appreciate it. 

Jennifer Haubein publishes “SiteNotes” a FREE bi-weekly ezine for small business owners who want a website that actually works. If you’re ready to get insider tips website developers don’t want you to know, and start making more money on-line, get your FREE tips now at http://www.BestBizWebsiteSolutions.com/newsletter.html.

Best Biz Blogging Webinar

A blog is a great way to get the attention of the press and quickly become the expert in your field.

Here are some benefits of blogging:

* More traffic to your website
* Build your email newsletter list
* Attract more clients easily
* Instantly build your credibility
* Gain the attention of the press

It's not too late to sign-up for my special event.

"Best Biz Blogging Webinar" February 26, 2008 at 8:00 pm EST/ 7:00 CST/5:00 PST

Click the link below to register:
http://tinyurl.com/384ptm

Jennifer Haubein publishes "SiteNotes" a FREE bi-weekly ezine for small business owners who want a website that actually works.  If you're ready to start making more money on-line, get your FREE tips now at www.BestBizWebsiteSolutions.com/newsletter.html

Blogging- Is it For Your Small Business? Part II

A blog is a conversation between your customers- It’s important to allow people to post comments on your blog. If you don’t you’re losing out an important dialogue and information that could help you reach your target market better. The best way to accept comments is require approval first. For example, if someone posts a comment to your blog you will receive an email and can approve or deny the comment. This protects you from spammers and most blog platforms allow this to be set up fairly easily.

Will a blog help my business? Yes, but you need to make your blog stand out from the crowd just like your website. Here are just a few ways a blog can help your business: A blog can build your status as an expert, attract new clients, and get media coverage. What business wouldn’t love to have more publicity! Search engines and the media love blogs, because it’s always fresh content. Not only is it fresh, but a blog contains tips, surveys, and case studies.

How will my blog help my search engine rankings? Blogs attract links easier than websites. Search engines love links and content pages, so your blog will probably attract a better ranking than your website. Now this does not mean you only need a blog and not a website. You really need both to successfully get your company information out. You do want to make sure to tie both your website and blog together. Make sure your blog contains a link to your website and your newsletter subscriber box.

Jennifer Haubein publishes "SiteNotes" a FREE bi-weekly ezine for small business owners who want a website that actually works.  If you're ready to start making more money online, get your FREE tips now at www.BestBizWebsiteSolutions.com/newsletter.html

Blogging for Business- Is It For Your Business?

What’s all this buzz about blogs? Should you be jumping on the bandwagon? The simple answer is yes a blog is very good for your business, but you can start with baby steps.

What is a blog? A blog is an online journal published for the public to read, it is usually updated frequently. It is similar to a website except it contains short organized posts arranged by date.

What if I don’t have a blog yet? If you don’t have a blog yet, you don’t have to run out and set one up right now. Start getting acquainted with blogging by posting on other people’s blogs. Find some blogs on the topics you are interested in and respond to their posts by creating comments. A good place to search for other blogs is http://technorati.com/. When you post a comment usually you can add a link to your website, which is great for search engine optimization. Once you feel comfortable posting and are ready to take it to the next level you can begin your own blog.

How often should I post? When you are first getting started try posting once a month. Once you get the hang of blogging try to up your postings to once a week. It’s important to post often because people and search engines like fresh content. If you give them what they want, they’ll come back for more.

What to post? If you are already publishing an email newsletter/ezine, then you’re off to a great start. Take your articles you are writing for the newsletter and split them up into two posts. When you’re writing for a blog there is no need to write long articles. Just quick simple tips, reviews, or survey results are the best content for your blog. Remember you’re not only writing for the public, you’re also writing for the press. Reporters love blogs, because they can easily get story ideas. Make sure to include a call to action within every post that contains a link back to your website. This is a very helpful in getting your main website ranked higher in search engines.

Jennifer Haubein publishes "SiteNotes" a FREE bi-weekly ezine for small business owners who want a website that actually works.  If you're ready to start making more money online, get your FREE tips now at www.BestBizWebsiteSolutions.com/newsletter.html.