Virtual Assistant Business Outsourcing

As a business owner, it is essential that you are aware of all possible ways you can get your business the attention and exposure it needs. One way this can be done is to have a business blog. A successful blog can help attract new customers to your business. When done right and done well, a business blog can also give you what most companies have: a fan base. One that not only supports your products and/or services, but also promotes the company to their friends and family; something that companies like Apple and Ben and Jerry’s have.

Now, as with anything that generates this much value, you can do business blogging the right way or the wrong way. To help guide you in the right direction, here are five things to avoid in the world of business blogging.

Don’t post press releases on your blog.

A very common practice, but one that you, as a business owner, should never be guilty of, is reposting their business’s press release in their blog. Always remember that the reason you started a blog in the first place is to enable conversation between yourself and your audience (aka customers). Posting press releases contradicts that purpose, since press releases are inherently more self-promoting and impersonal, something that most readers steer clear of. A press release republished in your blog will only serve to make your readers suspicious of your content.

Tip: First of all, never succumb to the seller in you and post your press release in your blog. You can talk about your products and services, announce promos and stuff, but only if you do this with a more casual, conversational voice. And second of all, don’t focus all your attention on your own products when blogging. Talk about something else that might grab your readers’ attention. Maybe give them an inside look at how your business works, share your thoughts on issues that surround your business, or even share tips that you know will be of help to your readers.

Don’t forget to blog regularly.

The fact that you’re not blatantly selling stuff in your blog and you’re putting out quality content will not matter if you blog only when the mood suits you. Sporadic blogging is a sure way of alienating readers. Create a schedule and stick to it (twice a week is good). This will make sure you keep the readers you already have and help you create a community of fans.

Tip: It might be a bit hard to put out original quality content as often as you need to, so the best way of preventing a standstill in your posting is to brainstorm ideas in advance. Get people who work with you to share ideas that can be good topics for posts. Retain all tips given as there will always be times when you might need a new idea or two.

Don’t remove comments.

A constant question bloggers argue about is whether comments should be allowed in blogs.This is a definite yes, as blogging should always enable conversations, and that can’t happen without readers’ comments. Invite reactions and readers will come.

Tip: The most important step, of course, is to make sure you have commenting enabled in your blog. Then, to make your readers want to leave comments, end your posts with questions or parting shots that invite reactions, and when you have reactions left in your comments section, respond to these comments to encourage conversation. And make your readers feel that what they tell you is important and is given the attention it deserves.

Don’t make it hard for readers to find your newest post.

Having an up-to-date blog doesn’t mean anything unless the new content you have is accessible to readers. Make it easier for your readers to find your posts, especially the newest ones.

Tip: There are a number of ways you can get your blog more visibility:

• Link your blog to your main company website, and always include your blog address on your email signature and/or business cards.
• Utilize social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote your blog and let people know you have new content.
• Optimize your blog by putting keywords in your titles and try to write posts about topics your target audience are likely to to type in to Google. Be careful, though. Avoid stuffing keywords into your blog just for the sole purpose of optimization; your main goal is still to have quality content.

Don’t set too high an expectation in too short a time.

Thinking that – after doing everything possible for a great blog, you will have a solid fan base after a couple of months – will only lead to disappointment. Blogging requires more hard work from you. Don’t expect to have a gazillion readers after just weeks of regularly putting out quality content.

Tip: Set a realistic goal and always keep in mind that most successful blogs don’t see any results until after a year of regular blogging.

Consider these don’ts when starting your business blog, roll up your sleeves, and be patient. It will only be a matter of time before you have a business blog that, not only has regular readers, but also staunch customers.

Our virtual assistants are trained in the dos and don’ts of business blogging. If you have the passion, but not the time to establish a quality business blog, why don’t you hire one of our virtual assistants and we’ll do it for you?