Does blogging really qualify as social media? Some say no, some say yes. The fact is it doesn’t matter. Social media or not, this this popular form of communication should be a part of your internet marketing strategy. I can already feel you squirming and moaning, “yeah, yeah, but I have no time, nothing to say, no-one will read it, I’m not a writer for Pete’s sake, oh give it a rest already, yada yada yada.”
Frankly, if you are not blogging you’re missing a golden opportunity. Here’s why:
Search engines are on the lookout for fresh, updated, content. They regard blogs as a more relevant, continuous source of content than websites. I know you invested a ton of money in your website, but that’s just the way it goes in the rapidly changing world of search engine marketing.
Look at it this way—having a blog allows you to continually freshen and update your content and give Google what it’s looking for without constantly having to change your website. However, it’s important to remember that blogs are about content, worthwhile content that someone would actually want to spend the time to read.
So always consider your readers first and the search engines second.
Advantages of blogging
- Show off your expertise.
- Show what your company stands for, how you are different, what you really do.
- Provide in depth information of real value.
- Present thoughts and concepts in a lengthier and more detailed format than Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Each post can immediately be announced or presented on each of those three sites.
- Connect with readers who will become your loyal customers. When they need the service or product your business provides, they will automatically think of you, because they already know and trust you.
Please do not underestimate the power of connection, relationship and trust in this social media age.
Chapter 11 of Thumbonomics tells you everything you need to know about blogging—how to get it started. How to optimize your blog and each post for better findability. How to come up with topics. And most important of all, how to engage with your readers.
Some of the info found in this chapter includes:
- The optimal keyword density (2% to 5%) for a blog post. (Repeating keywords over and over is off-putting to the reader.)
- Great blogging ideas to keep you going, including your companies upcoming events, press releases, new products, cost saving techniques, industry news and events, guest interviews.
- The value of adding links to other sites—Google expects experts to link to experts.
- Why you should monitor your comments carefully, and delete spam immediately.
- Why the “voice” of your blog is important. Know who it is you are trying to reach.
Content that your readers will love and can use is the key to blogging success. Over time, if you are putting out relevant content, you will start to get more readers and more comments.
Chapter 11 also contains a Findability Makeover with the intriguing title, “Blogging: Better than Flipping a Sign on the Corner!” Want to find out more? Order your copy of Thumbonomics right here.