Blogging: An Introduction

Blogging is evolving faster than people are keeping up. Blogging has been through many transformations over the years and it is likely that there are more to come. The arrival of social media has had many effects on blogging.

For some people the arrival of social media has kept them blogging as social media has enabled them to transmit their message further than the audience that the blog might have otherwise attracted. However, for newer arrivals – blogging seems a “dated” concept – why would you ever blog when you have social media and your customers are on social media.

I believe that you need both. The blog and a social media presence.

Why Blog?

Your website is your home online. Everyone should have a website.

You should also consider having a “blog” on your website. A blog can help you increase your visibility (and improve you SEO) and gives you somewhere to drive traffic to.

The “form” of blogging has evolved. However, having an online presence is incredibly important and people want more from companies and businesses. They want them to be online. People want them to have a social media presence. They expect it.

Simply put. Having a blog and a social media presence (on specifically chosen platforms) legitimises you.

The blog has come a long way over the years. Social media has become a competitor to the blog as people are absorbing more short-form content. However, by having a blog you have a space that is totally yours and you control the content and how it is presented to your visitors.

Why should people come to your Blog?

Blogging will only continue for as long as it is useful. People will only visit (and return) to your blog for as long as they have a reason to do so.

So think about:

• Why do people visit your Blog?
• How can you encourage more people to come to your blog?
• Why should people come to your Blog?
• Why do you want them to visit your Blog?

After all for most consumers and businesses – where they spend their time online will be where they are more likely to spend their money. Therefore you will want them to spend time on your blog getting to know you. Don’t forget someone needs to see you at least 7 times before they will consider making a purchase.

So why should people come to your blog? This could be something like because you have:

• Expertise
• Knowledge
• Something that is unique.

What are those three things for you?

What is the future of blogging?

We can’t tell the future, but blogging will continue to evolve.

Some trends that I personally believe we will continue to see are:

• Traditional “long form” content will change to “short form” content as attention spans shorten.
• Visual Content will become more important;
• Video Content will become more popular and more widely used;
• People will want more engagement; and
• Community will become even more important.

However, communicating will always be around. So assess/reassess what you are doing all the time and build on it.

How can you make your blog a success?

What do you want your blog to do? Once you have worked this out, you can then think about what you need to do to make it a success.

Yes, some blogs make money. There are no easy answers to how your blog can make you money. There is not really any such things as “overnight success” instead what there is hard work.  Any blog can potentially be successful (and make money).

However there are a number of things you may wish to do to help boost your potential for success:

• Demonstrate your expertise.
• Offer Something for FREE.
• Position yourself above your competition – be different, be unique and most importantly be better.
• Provide a gateway for further conversations.
• Have a personality and a voice.
• Reveal case studies and celebrate your achievements.
• Write or host guest blogs and interviews.
• Have something meaningful to say.
• Don’t be afraid to connect. Be Honest and Authentic.
• Be consistent. This might be with your posting schedule, your content, or your voice.
• Build your brand