By Tricia Allenson

We know, we know.  You’re busy.  After all, you have a business to run.  That’s to say nothing of keeping up with the breakneck pace of life in the 21st Century.  So, we understand when we hear business owners say things like: “Blog?!?!? I barely have time to sleep. When am I supposed to write, and furthermore what am I supposed to write about?  Plus, I’m not even a very good writer, anyway!”

Scout’s honor we know the feeling.  However, the reality is that blogging isn’t an optional component of marketing; it is an essential component of your marketing program for many reasons.  Here’s a look at 6 reasons you can’t cut corners when it comes to keeping your content fresh on your website through blogging.

(An aside—take a deep breath.  You don’t have to do all the blogging yourself. There are starving copywriters all over the country pleading with the universe to send them work.  So, delegate to someone else, like the boss you are.)

1.     A Blog Positions You as An Industry Expert. 

Experts talk about what they know about.  So, talk about your business through your blog.  ‘Nuff said.

2.     Helps With Visibility (AKA: SEO)

Search engines scanning the web are looking for new, ongoing, updated content.  A blog ON YOUR SITE will help give you an SEO bump.  Note: a blog that is not linked to your site will do nothing for your business website visibility or search engine ranking.  Consolidation is the name of the game.

3.     A Blog Is Multi-Purpose

Write one blog, and get mileage for months.  Seriously.  Post it on ALL your social media accounts, from Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn.  Then,tweak a few words, maybe condense a few things, and repurpose it in your newsletter.  Use the crux of it for a flier, or brochure. Use snippets in Facebook ads. Blogs can be repurposed over and again in marketing. A little bit of effort truly goes a long way.

4.     Blog Content is Shareable

Write a snappy/informative/useful/funny blog and watch it get shared.  Your blog is actually working for you while you tend to your other responsibilities, thanks to the power of social media, and email.

5.     Blogging Helps Build Your Brand

When you consistently blog, your brand is being reinforced weekly, twice a month, or monthly.  This is not going to hurt your efforts to build brand awareness one bit.

6.     Blogging Brings in Buyers, Clients, Customers

Studies show that businesses with a blog receive a full 97% more leads than businesses without blogs.  Did you read that?  97%???   The reason?  Blogs which are shared through email marketing campaigns or social media drive potential clients and customers back to your site.

So, what’s stopping you from blogging this year?  You have nothing to lose, and gobs of new business to gain, by taking the bull by the horns, and blogging like a boss in 2017.