If your brand doesn’t have a blog, you’re behind. Social media is constantly changing and it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the algorithims and get engagement organically (without paid ad’s). Stop pouring your energy into platforms you do not own and cannot control and start your business’ blog ASAP. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should get started today (and how to get help).
1. Blogging Boosts SEO
SEO is the key to butts in seats and heads in beds. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a game you need to play to help your website show up when people are searching online. Typically business websites are mostly static and not updated daily or regularly the way blogs, news, and e-commerce sites are updated. Creating a blog is one way to keep your website content fresh and Google rewards activity on websites. Through blogging, you are telling Google that your website is active and this will encourage Google to show your website in search results.
Bonus Tip: If you don’t already have Google Analytics installed on your website, do that right now, especially before you start a blog! This will allow you to review the keywords people are typing into their search bars to find your site. Once you know these, you can leverage them into your content for increased visibility.
2. Blogging Builds and Maintains Relationships
Blogging on your brand’s website provides you with a way to talk to people beyond your sales pitch about how great of an experience you offer. It can help you pull back the curtain and share behind-the-scenes information, stories about the history of your brand, and establish your expertise among your audience.
For example, those of you running inns, boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants are expert hosts – share your tips! You know how to quickly set a perfect table, make a super comfy bed, and welcome guests with warmth. These are all things people can learn from you and translate into their own homes.
Blogging gives you the opportunity to talk with your existing customer base, but because of the other benefits like increased SEO, blogging can also bring new customers to your website.
3. Blogging Extends Your Brand
Blogging gives your brand more of a voice than a social media post, email, or newsletter. It gives you the chance to really define and share your brand in a different way than any other communication tactic allows. In blogging you can share photos, videos, do a Q&A, and link to other sites and posts (also great for boosting SEO) – all of which would take you multiple social media posts to do. Instead, through blogging you’re getting the opportunity to share more on a platform you own and control, without the anxiety of being seen.
4. Blogging Creates Opportunity
Through blogging, you are bringing people directly to your website. You’re not relying on a gatekeeper like a social media website or email inbox to get people on your website. Instead, the content brings them directly to you. This creates an opportunity because once people are on your site, they are more likely to click around and explore a new menu, make a reservation, sign up for your newsletter, or reach out for more information. This is also why it’s so important to include links to your own site within your blog posts.
Bonus Tip: Create a blogging editorial calendar to help keep your content consistent. Aim to post at least twice a month, but ideally once a week, if possible. You can use this 6-month social media calendar to help give you a jump start!
5. Blogging Provides Promotional Content
Don’t let your blog content only live on your blog. Through blogging, you’re giving your brand content to promote and share on all of your social channels, like Facebook, Instagram, and especially Pinterest! You can use your blog to create social media posts that will bring people back to your website to read more. Your blog posts also provide great content to share in your newsletters.
Ready to get started? Reach out for help creating a blogging strategy for your brand that includes keyword analysis, post ideas that are optimized for SEO, and the creation of an editorial calendar. Send us an email to learn more.