[UPDATED FOR 2023]
If you have a blog and don’t keep it up your website looks stale. Isn’t it easier to just skip blogging altogether? Well sure. But, you lose a valuable way to reach more customers and keep your current ones coming back for more.
Here are five compelling reasons why a blog is worth your time:
1. YOUR COMPETITORS DON’T HAVE BLOGS
It’s true! Many of the top industrial companies don’t have blogs, although the B2B segment represents the fastest-growing blog adopters. If you get in early, you can own this space before your competition does. It’s a great opportunity to take the lead.
Blogs are also strong lead generators. The math is simple: B2B companies with blogs get more leads than those that don’t. Why? Because those who are looking for information on a topic then have a quick link to the business that can help them with their query.
2. BLOGGING CRANKS UP YOUR SEARCH RANKINGS
A blog increases your search rankings — it is keyword-rich and links to other information. These two key elements are highly sought after by search engines. The more your site acts as a helpful resource, the more likely the search engines are to recognize that and index your pages. Websites that include blogs have up to 434% more indexed pages and 97% more links to their site than those without. That’s a huge leg up.
Additionally, outside websites look for sites with quality blog posts — when a respected website links to your blog post, your entire site receives a boost!
3. Blogs Position you as a trusted quality resource
Blogs are a smart way to disseminate information and build a reputation as a trusted source of valuable insights — a true thought leader. You can educate current and future customers about your products and services and discuss other important industry-related topics. Consumers now rank blogs as the fifth most trusted source for accurate online information. Once you’ve been identified as a thought leader, people will want to share your content.
4. BLOGS ARE CHUM FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
Links to your blog are an easy, powerful way to draw prospects in from social media. Blogs are imminently shareable, so they can get you superpower reach. They’re a great way to generate traffic from social media as well as build your brand personality.
5. BLOGS GENERATE BETTER ROI THAN OTHER LEAD GEN TACTICS
Marketers who prioritize blogging are 13x more likely to achieve a positive ROI on their efforts. More than half of surveyed marketers say blogging is their top content marketing priority; B2B marketers with blogs report 67% more leads than those without blogs. When it comes to effort and cost, blogging packs a powerful ROI. It’s also a more long-term content delivery vehicle since it lives on your website and is easily shared. Typically, blog content is more timeless, whereas ads and other content types have much shorter shelf lives.
RELATED: IMPLEMENTING LEAD GENERATION STRATEGIES THAT WORK
BEST BLOGGING PRACTICES
When you’re ready to get blogging, here are some recent best practices for blogs:
Consistent and Quality Content: Regularly publishing high-quality content is crucial for maintaining an active blog. Develop a content schedule and stick to it, ensuring your posts are well-researched, informative, and engaging. Consistency helps establish reader expectations and encourages them to return for more.
Clear and Concise Writing: Write in a clear and concise manner, using language that your target audience can understand. Avoid excessive jargon and complex sentence structures. Break up content into paragraphs, subheadings, and bullet points to improve readability. Proofread your posts for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Captivating Headlines: Craft compelling headlines that grab readers’ attention and entice them to click through to your blog post. A well-written headline should be concise, descriptive, and highlight the value or benefit readers will gain from reading your article. Use powerful words and emotional triggers to create impact.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Implement basic SEO strategies to improve your blog’s visibility in search engine results. Identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally throughout your blog posts, including in the title, headings, meta tags, and body text. Optimize your images by using alt tags and ensure your site has a user-friendly structure and fast loading times.
Engage with Your Audience: Encourage reader engagement by responding to comments, asking questions, and inviting feedback. Building a sense of community around your blog helps to foster loyalty and encourages readers to share your content with others. Responding promptly and thoughtfully to comments demonstrates your commitment to your readers.
Promote Your Content: Effective promotion is crucial for attracting new readers and expanding your blog’s reach. Utilize social media platforms to share your blog posts, engage with relevant communities, and participate in industry-related discussions. Collaborate with other bloggers or influencers in your niche for cross-promotion opportunities. Additionally, consider utilizing email marketing to reach out to your existing subscriber base with your latest content.
RELATED: MANUFACTURER’S GUIDE: CREATING YOUR FIRST BUYER PERSONAS
IRONMARK’S CONTENT TEAM CAN GET YOU BLOGGING
If you’re reading this post, you already know the power of blogs. Now, it’s time to get started! Commit to a small investment of a bi-weekly or weekly blogging schedule, so you can leverage this cost-effective and just plain effective marketing tool.
If you need help with your blog just give us a call. We have extensive experience creating blogs that drive business to our customers’ sites and build their thought leader status. And we have a lot of fun doing it! Contact us today to find out how easy it is to get your blog up and running.
