Are blogs more trouble than they’re worth? Not necessarily. If you have a blog, or have considered creating one, you know they require commitment. Costs may be minimal, but they demand time, unless you know the smart way to find and present the original content your customers and prospects look for.

1. Don’t Go it Alone

Blogs need frequent, sustained content to stay relevant. Web-savvy customers expect daily posts, which is daunting for a single team member.  How can you avoid blog-overload?  Gather 3 or 4 employees to collectively manage content, each adding a post per week. Not only will your blog stay current, readers have access to the diversity and knowledge of the entire team, which helps your blog stand out.  

2. Keep it Short

Blog posts are not feature articles –a few hundred words are plenty.  Between 250 and 400 words is ideal, excluding topics that are complex, with graphics and pictures as applicable. Don’t put off posting a blog entry simply because it isn’t as long as you think it should be - shorter is better!   The plus sides of shorter posts? Readers won’t be bored and you’ll find them easier to maintain.

3. Organize to Optimize

Maximize reader attention and engagement with focused posts that contain only one thought or idea.  Posts that attempt to cover too many topics tend to lose readers, so each time you switch topics, switch posts too. Not only will this keep readers on track, it also exploits the volume of information by increasing the number of unique blog entries.

4. Find a Voice and Use it

Ensure loyal readership with content that sticks to a central theme, voice, or message. Topics that vary too greatly or posts that contradict each other confuse readers and prevent them from identifying your specialty and relevance. Position your company, and your team, as experts: express opinion, insight and knowledge, and do it consistently! Once you define the focus, generating content is simple and readers are satisfied. 

The internet is a powerful tool for making a connection, and blogs are a smart way to stay in front of customers while building brand credibility.  Harness the power of the Internet and contact 5th business today to learn more about online opportunities to grow your business today!

Regular communication with customers and prospects has never been easier. Call 5th business today and take your website to the next level!