When blogging for business, the goal should be to build relationships, attract & capture leads, and to make sales.
There are 10 things needed on your blog/website
1. Offer
What are you offering? What are your products/services? On your blog, provide a clear description of how what you are selling can help your audience. Also, why should someone work with you? Why should they choose your products/programs/services…. over someone else.
2. Content
The more content you create the higher your page ranks in the search engines. Content is the fuel of your blog/website. When you know who your target audience is,, you want to create content that answers your customers/clients questions and that solves their problems. A suggestion will be to write your blog content in a quick read. For example: topic list or bullet points. Some of my blog post can be pretty long when I am adding my podcast show notes, but my normal post can run between 500 words or less.
3. Opt In Box (Build Your List)
List Building is when you capture leads and add to your email database to follow up with potential clients/customers. To build your list, you can give away something valuable for free (to leads) in exchange for their email. For Example: when I go to the mall in the food court there are restaurants that stand right in front with a tray giving away samples of food on a tooth pick-to taste….then they give a call to action letting you know exactly where you can go to buy more. That is a great marketing strategy. They search for leads, capture the lead, then make a sale)
Some places that you can add an opt in box is on your home page, sidebar, at the end of each blog post, and/or in the footer of your blog.
4. Testimonials
People are more willing to work with people when they see testimonials, social proof, and the results that you’ve help get others. Provide success stories from others who has previously worked with you. Also, list testimonials from people who has given you positive recommendations.
5. Social Media Integration
Integrate social media into your blog by adding social media share buttons and icons. Make it easy for your readers to share your content and refer others back to your blog or offer. As of date, one tool I use is Flare. It allows you to combine sharing options via Twitter, Facebook, email, and social bookmarking sites into one tool.
6. Call To Action
Have clear Call To Actions on your blog. Clearly tell your visitors what you want them to do next. When someone lands on the homepage of your blog/website… What do you want them to do…..Sign up for your email list? Purchase your product? Join your coaching program? Read more content?
Lead the reader on a journey by letting them know what you want them to do next. When crafting your call to action buttons…. you can add (Learn More!, Get It Now!, Grab Your Free Copy!, Let’s Go!, Get Instant Access!)
7. About Me Page
Show your expertise. Your blog is your virtual real-estate on the web. People will visit your blog/website to learn more about who you are and what you do. The About Me page is sometimes the most visited page on your site. So, provide clear information about you and your business. Explain who you are, what you do, and how you can help them. It is also a very good idea to add a call to action to the About Me page. Such as, a way to sign up for your free offer.
8. Contact Form
Many blog themes offer widgets where you can add a contact form to your blog. Use a contact form to provide a way for people to get in touch with you. It can be via email or phone number. Depending on what you are offering or selling…. when blogging for business…. customers/clients may have questions or need customer support.
9. Shopping Cart / Payment Processing System
Provide a way for people to purchase your products/services. There are tons of shopping cart systems available to us online. Do your research on current shopping cart tools that you can use for your business. Some of the popular free tools today for payment processing are Paypal and Stripe. Depending on what blog theme you are using and whether you are selling physical or digital products also plays a big role in your shopping cart decision.
Don’t make it hard for people to buy. A confused mind always says NO.
10. Traffic
Just putting up a blog/website is not going to drive traffic. Traffic generation is one of the keys to building a successful business online. You have to have traffic in order to get exposure. Lead people to your blog post, or to your offer. How to drive traffic to your blog using social media
Read: Blogging For Business
Erica Mathews
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