Blog Marketing
“I have a website… why do I need a blog?”
A blog is a great way of adding fresh relevant content to your website that your customers can engage with. By adding new content to your website you are also showing the search engines that your website is changing and still relevant so they should list you in their search results.
“What do I write in my blog?”
Use your blog to build a rapport with customers and educate them about your products and niche.
While you can offer links to your products is it best not hard sell, instead use the blog to educate the customers about topics that relate to your products so when it comes time to buy they come to you… the expert.
“What does that mean?”
Lets say you sell wedding place settings, rather then writing a blog on every type of wedding place setting products you have, you would write a blog on “9 Wedding Place Setting Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Big Day”.
You should use this blog to educate your customer on potential problems that could come up so they can see that you know your stuff, you are the expert and your can offer a solution to make sure this does not happen to them.
Do you know that what means? When it is time to buy they will come to you.
By all means link to a few relevant product categories but do not hard sell your products in the blog.
“What Is Blog Marketing?”
This is just the way in which you use your blog to market your business. It is basically a plan for your correspondence. Who will be writing/publishing posts. What kind of content your blog will have and who will manage it.
Blog Marketing Tips:
- It is best to sit down and plan your blog posts for the year (or even the next few months) so that you know what you are going to post.
- Keep possible topics you come across in a “teaser” folder on your desktop so when it comes time to write blog post you have something to write about.
- Pre-write your blog posts and schedule them into your calendar so you can drip feed them onto your blog.
- Encourage people to post comments or ask people to comment on your blog and to get the ball rolling.
- Blog about your staff so that people can see your business is real, it exists and you are not going to rip them off.
- Make it fun! Inject some personality into your blog, add photos, video and other media that is relevant to your customers and niche.
- Tell people about your blog; tell them in store, in promotional emails, on print marketing material.
- Give them the option to subscribe to your blog or bookmark it so they can keep coming back.
Why use blogging?
- It helps build a relationship with customers.
- Encourage repeat purchases.
- Reduce risk to first time buyers (they can see that you are real and the expert).
- Low cost way to market to your customers (no paper or postage costs).
- You can track how many people visit your blog.
- Drives traffic to your website.
- Improves back links and relevance in the search engines.
What Blog Marketing Services Do You Offer?
Blog Marketing Consultancy: Consulting for blog marketing strategy will focus on your business’ most wanted response (sales) along with how to use the blog to improve your search engine rankings.
Do You Have A Blog?
Yes – I can assist you with consulting and/or training.
- I work with you to come up with a strategy based on your time requirements, staff capabilities and niche.
- Staff Training if needed
No – No Problem, I canI consult with you regarding:
- The best possible way to add a blog to your website.
- How to structure the blog.
- Ways to to come up with a strategy for your new blog based on your time requirements, staff capabilities and niche.
- Providing staff training if needed.
Jim Hopley, Oamaru Pharmacy Ltd.
www.oamarupharmacy.com