One of the most exciting things that make blogging very popular is that most companies today are using it as a business tool, they have not only used it as a business advertising tool, but a means through which they stay in contact with their customers which is one of the things that most consumers crave for. Not only is this tool a great one to the customers, the company also gains from it as a way of market research without using a lot of money or moving from one place to another.
In my last post, I shared with you why your business needs a website and I’m sure you’re already on the process of creating one for your business if you’ve not done so. My friend Enstine Muki left a comment on that post suggesting that I also write how to grow your business with blogging and that’s what I will talk about today since you already know that your business needs a website.
Today, business owners whose companies are at all levels of growth, from start-ups to established and mature firms, are looking for effective promotional tools that are also cost effective. Blogging is one of those mediums through which you can effortlessly pass information to your audience/customers without spending a dime.
Most companies today have realized the benefit of blog to their business and is utilizing it. Starbucks Corporation is a social media giant when it comes to engagement, including incorporating blogs, status updates, tweets, and forums. When the trendy Seattle-based coffeehouse chain realized that its sales were stagnating and that competition was becoming fierce, it had to find ways to solidify and expand its market share. In 2009, Starbucks launched the interactive MyStarbucksIdea website and corporate blog. While some industry analysts doubted whether the site would be a success, well it may surprise you to know that over 100,000 internet users visited the site by the end of its first week online. Isn’t that interesting?
Like Starbucks, Zappos also embraces microblogging to manage customer relations. Other companies like Crazy Egg and Kissmetrics also understands why it is important to grow your business with blogging and today, they are so popular. We all know Neil Petal in fact, there is no way you will mention the top 20 most successful bloggers in the world today without calling his name. Neil is the owner of popular Crazy Egg and Kissmetrics company, it might interest you to know that majority of his customers came from his blog.
This type of added-value and engagement converts to increased brand awareness and direct sales. These companies demonstrate the effective use of compelling and condensed content aligned with tangible business objectives. Below are some tips to help grow your business with blogging.
1. Consider your Blog as part of your Business.
You need to invest in your blog, note that you’ll get returns on your investment, it can only take some time. If you put in less effort, time and dedication in your blog, you won’t get much out of it. On the other hand, the more you invest in it, the more you’ll get out of it. In other words, what you sowed is what you’ll harvest. Therefore it’s important that you see your blog as a vital part of your business and treat it as such.
2. Don’t Hold Back any Information.
Most bloggers feels that they should always leave the best information’s they’ve got for their premium customers. I have visited a blog that I found a very interesting topic on, but as I was reading the post, I came to a point where he said….. Click here if you want to read more, but when I clicked it, I saw that you must join their premium club before you can read it.
Now, what is wrong with that? There’s nothing wrong with this line of thought in my opinion other than the fact that holding back will hinder you from creating an outstanding blog. It’s always possible that other bloggers will share that same information you’re hiding for free. Therefore, if you want your blog to be the industry leader, then you need to go all out and offer your best and most valuable information to all.
3. Don’t Promote your Business Directly.
Why do blog readers visit blogs and subscribe to their feeds and mailing lists? It’s because these readers enjoy and appreciate the content that is published. They’ll definitely not be interested in joining a blog that does nothing except promote its backend business! So if you want to gain people’s attention and establish a dedicated readership, take the focus off of your business, and focus on your readers. People who use their blog purely as a promotional tool find that they don’t get the best results. Focus on publishing high quality content and let the content do the promotion for you!
You can always send your subscribers mails about your products/services, but remember not to spam them as it will soon result to them optin out of your list. You can as well create a banner and link it to your business website just as Michael Dunlop did on his blog(Image below).
4. Position Yourself as The Go To Person in your Industry.
This is very important, when you always publish interesting and useful posts on aspects pertaining to your industry, you’ll soon be regarded as an expert source of valuable information. When you achieve this, the perceived value of your product or service offerings will increase. It’s possible that other people in your industry are also providing the same kind of offer, but they might not be blogging. If you’ve proven your worth to your audience through your blog, you’ll be the go to person.
As you already know, the amount of business you can generate depends largely on the extent of the reputation you build for yourself. By blogging, you can build yourself an excellent reputation.
5. Master the acts of SEO.
When people are looking for a product or service, oftentimes they will first look for information about the subject on the Search Engines. In general, blogging is about having conversations in a public space that position you as a subject matter expert. “The type of discussions you ideally ought to be sharing is answering questions that people out there on the Internet are searching for.
Therefore, you must optimize your site for Search Engines if you want to gain more readership.
6. Encourage Interactions and Feedbacks.
This is also an important issue. Your company can benefit from valuable feedback through comments and suggestions. Do a call for action in your posts. You can also gain insight about your audience using Q&A bookmarking icons. Make it easy for your readers to share posts. Encourage them to share tips and personal experiences with using your products or services. Just make sure you are on hand to respond to any comments. Failing to do this is a sign that you don’t respect or care about your audience.
7. Use Social Media to Increase your Audience.
Social media will build a very strong reputation and network for your business. Social media and blogs work hand in hand therefore, if you decide to grow your business with blogging, you must also get involved with social media. You may become confused on the ones you’ll start with but, just start with Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Linkedin for now and see what you can get from them.
Just interact with your audience in so many platforms. Pat Flynn calls it… Being Everywhere. When you’ve created your social media profiles, make sure to integrate them to your blog as to make it easy for your readers to share your contents with their friends. There are so many plugins that can help you to achieve this. I use Digg Digg to add mine; it will add a floating bar on the sidebar of your blog that will contain your social media profiles. You can also add your Facebook fan page on your widget so that your readers can easily like your page(Image Below).
8. Get Involved with Email Marketing.
Email marketing can also be a very viable marketing tool for your business. All you have to do is just add a subscription form anywhere on your blog so that your readers can subscribe to your list. The reason for this is that when you have your visitors email addresses, it will be very easy for you to market your product/services to them.
The service I love most for this is Getresponse, they have all the things that will make your email marketing campaign a huge success and their customer service is also superb. The most strategic places to add your form on your blog are on the top sidebar, below your posts and you can also use pop ups.
9. Be Active on other Blogs.
To establish yourself as a successful blogger, you need to actively participate on other blogs too. Just choose blogs that are related to your industry. Leave comments, respond to other people’s comments, write guest posts, do interviews, connect with other bloggers, network with them and get thorns of backlinks back to your own blog.
10. Don’t Target your Potential Customers only.
Your blog can be built to become a great promoter of your business. However, always bear in mind that not all your readers will become your customers. Many of your visitors will visit your blog just to enjoy your content, and won’t intend to make a purchase at all. However, these readers are still very valuable, since they can help develop and popularize your profile in the industry, so don’t ignore them. Treat them well too.
11. Make your Blog the Focal Point.
Position your blog to be the central location of everything you’re doing and any announcement you want to pass out. It should be the final resting place and then, everything can go from there. This is simply because you’re in control. Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin may one day decide to change their policy on how people access your data.
You can just create the information on your blog and then pass it out on social Medias.
There are still so many other ways you can grow your business with blogging which I cannot mention here because this post is already longer than I expected, but the crux of the matter is that a blog can perform much wonders for your business which will even surprise you.
No matter what product and services you’re offering, you need a blog. Just follow all the tips I shared on this post and grow your business with blogging. I’m sure you will enjoy the experience at the end because you will have lots of evidence to show for it.
Thanks for reading till this place. I must apologize for writing such a long post.
Please, you know I so much love reading your feedbacks, so let me know if there is any other point I forgot to include here.
Also remember to share this post with your friends. Remember, there is love in sharing.
Enstine Muki says
Hey man,
Good to see you hitting it again and mentioning me in the post. I made a humble suggestion and here you are going by it. I’m so impressed and thanks for thinking about us your readers.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey man,
All the thanks goes to you because you gave me the inspiration. You deserve the mention also.
Adrienne says
Hi Theodore,
Wow, you really covered a lot in this one post so I certainly don’t mind these long ones. When you’re giving away the goods then it’s definitely worth it.
Glad you took Enstine’s idea and ran with it. You’re right, most businesses really need a blog these days and it’s about interacting with potential customers. That’s another key point that you made though, you don’t always have to just go after your target prospect. Trust me, they will be more then happy to tell others about you if you’re there for them as well answering questions and interacting. That’s very impressive in today’s times.
Great post and thanks for this share. I’ll be sure to pass it around as well.
~Adrienne
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Adrienne,
Blogging is really about interacting with potential customers as you said. Its also no doubt that your readers will be very happy with you if you’re always there for them. I’m really happy that you found the post worthy of sharing.
Really honored.
Thanks for your wonderful feedback.
Chadrack says
Hi Theodore,
Good piece here. Adding a blog to a business site is something every wise business person must take care of these days. I’ve mentioned this many times and your post rightly hit it on the head on how to combine the two for great returns. Thanks for sharing.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Chadrack,
I remembered vividly that I’ve read something like that on your blog before which is also interesting.
I’m very glad you like the post.
Thanks for stopping by my man.
Siegfried says
I like point 9 – Be active on other blogs 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Theodore!
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot Siegfried.
Mark Trueman says
Hey Theodore,
It is hard to mention Entrepreneurship or business without mentioning Neil Patel. His blog still helps me learn on a daily basis.
I liked your point on not to only blog for your target audience. Aiming for people that can potentially be in your niche but are not directly in your niche gives you the ability to go after people that are not so heavily sought after. The only way to really do that is by blogging and creating a following of people that might potentially be interested in your product or service.
Great post as always. Plenty of points to take to heart.
– Mark T.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Mark,
Neil is really a correct guy when it comes to business and entrepreneurship and I’ve also learnt and is still learning a lot from him. Yea, it is very better not to only aim at your target audience as that might lead to loosing most of your readers.
Thanks for taking the time to visit TBC again Mark, really appreciate.
Harleena Singh says
Awesome indeed!
I loved all your points here Theodore – each one is so very true indeed. 🙂
Yes, most people try hiding the best for themselves, or they prefer not to let their success secret out, which I find very funny because the more you give, the more you get – not in terms of money, but in terms of goodwill and that’s how you build your relationships and contacts. There should be NO condition whatsoever before you are given access to learning things you visit a blog for, and that would certainly put off readers.
You are so right about the likes of Neil Patel- they are real teachers and people out there to help many of us. There’s a lot more than meets the eye when you want to grow your business with blogging, and it does take a lot of hard work, determination, and patience to build it all up. I guess you need to be there everywhere and do all the things required, laving no stone un-turned, just as Pat says.
Thanks for sharing this great post with us. Have a great week ahead 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Harleena,
The more you give, the more you get.. I love that and i can’t agree more. Its really funny the way most people think when it comes to sharing some valuable information with their readers.
They really want others to know what they know. That will only position them as a stingy person and will soon drive their readers away.
I agree with you that Neil is one of those great teachers out there and i love and enjoys everything he shares.
And yes, lets be everywhere.
Thanks for stopping over Harleena, really appreciate.
Tim Bonner says
Hey Theodore
I’ve seen a few blogs recently where you had to sign up to a newsletter or join a premium section to read the rest of a blog post. I’m afraid my immediate reaction was no thanks and I left.
I’m sure it will entice some people but for me, it’s more of a brick wall.
I’ve actually just completely slowed down when it comes to #9. I couldn’t keep up with blog-commenting and it was becoming too much of a pressure, so I stopped blog-hopping for the most part and I feel almost liberated!
I’m sure it may have a detrimental effect on my comments and visitor numbers but I’d rather that then me give up blogging completely!
Great post and I agree with all of your points, even if I don’t partake so much in #9 any more.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey Tim,
I’ve also encountered some of those blogs as well and what i normally do is same thing you’ll do. I know i can get that same information somewhere else, so why should i do that?
You mustn’t continue with tip 9 especially since its giving you some troubles based on your time. I agree with you that its better to stop that very one instead of giving up blogging entirely.
Thanks for stopping over Tim.
Sylviane Nuccio says
Hi Theodore,
Wow, that’s a great one that you’ve put together here.
Our blog is indeed part of our business I know that my blogs are part of mine for sure. They are like the windows to my shoppes and when people look at my windowns (read my posts) they can have a good idea of what I can deliver if they hire my services.
I can’t stand blogs like the one you’re describing here where you have to click and do any type of effort to read more. I wonder how many people would actually do that! It would have to be darn good sample for me to that.
As you said, there might be found somewhere that same information for free. I think that doing this is ridiculous and seems desperate to me.
Thank you for this great info.
Theodore Nwangene says
Great comment Sylvianne,
Blogs are really like the windows to out shops as you said and i love that phrase. It is really annoying dear that most people are there like holding back some information because of some selfish reasons.
Come on, lets go get that same info somewhere else for free.
Thanks for coming.
Lisa says
Great piece Theodore, I struggle with the blogs on our retail sites. It’s hard to get people to comment and share. I don’t have WordPress for them and am not sure if that’s the problem. They are on a Stores Online platform. I could switch and hook it up to the site but not sure what direction I want to take them yet to. Your post really gets me thinking about them more. I hope to do something about them by year’s end.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Lisa,
I think you really have to migrate those sites over to wordpress so it will be easier for you to manage them. I can also help you on that if you don’t mind.
I’m glad my post gave you some insight.
Thanks for coming.
Usman says
Blog can be used to share offical news and tutorials depending on business, like if you’ve a cloth store you can share information regarding cloths and their types.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Usman,
Thanks for visiting my blog for the first time. I certainly agree with what you said here too.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, hope you’ll come again.
click here says
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks.
Koj T. Tajo says
Hey Theodore. Great List. I too support that One needs to take their blog as their business as I feel quality engagement will increase. The up there in your list is 9th ” Encourage Interactions and Feedbacks.”- I too love interacting with bloggers. And I would love to keep that interaction intact with you too.
Regards.
Theodore Nwangene says
Welcome to my blog Koj,
Interaction is really the name of the game when it comes to any internet business. I will also like to be interacting you man.
Thanks for coming, expecting you again.
Michael Belk says
Theodore, that Starbucks site is amazing. I wish I could have a launch like that, but they had a large following so do not expect anything less.
Many businesses have realized the best presence for their products is online. it is amazing traditional newspapers have grasped the concept as well.
There are many benefits to being online. However, there are not any over night successes unless you are a large as Starbucks. Thanks Bro.
Theodore Nwangene says
I also love the Starbucks site Micheal,
And yes, they really have a very large following, so much is expected indeed. Achieving success online is certainly not an over night success as you said.
Thanks for stopping by man.
Babanature says
Hello Bro,
You post is really exciting. i mean you really did cover so much about so much and to be sincere, i really did love it.
The interaction and feedback is the main objective of a true business. when you get feedback, it shows how engaging your product is. Thumb up bro and do have a great week ahead 😀
Theodore Nwangene says
I’m thrilled by your comment bro,
Thanks a lot fro those compliments, really appreciate.
Evan says
The post is absolutely full and well-structured. i like the way you describe this field. All the points are very up-to date and have to be applied by any bloggers who wants to achieve some success.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Evan,
I’m happy you found the post interesting.
Sergio Felix says
Hey Theodore, you should never apologize for writing long articles man, particularly great and useful content just like on this article.
This could easily be shared in a PDF and with some images (one per topic) this could be a great “Business Blogging 101” report to share with people who don’t quite understand blogging.
Really great points and I like the fact that you are well aware of all the big bloggers and business blogging brands as well.
KissMetrics is just INSANE at sharing awesome content for free.
Sergio
Theodore Nwangene says
Wow Sergio,
Thats very thoughtful of you indeed, “Business Blogging 101” I think thats exactly what I’m going to do indeed. Thanks a lot for the insight man.
Sapna says
Hi Theodore,
Great share!
Business really require a great feedback on timely basis in order to improve and that can become the basis for success. Even Microsoft enhanced versions and patches are the result of the feedback of the users.
I too share the same feeling when great writers hold back the most interesting part and call it the premium content.
Thanks for this great share.
Sapna
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Sapna,
I love it when ever i see your comment on my posts, thanks a lot for your feedbacks.
RobG says
Hello Theodore, Great article and you’ve seem to cover some very important elements that’s for sure. have a blog is a great for your business because it will give your customers a closer connection with you and them.
Most business don’t even know what a blog it because they’re just interested in making that sale. If you do use a blog to help your business grow in the long run you will surely gain more.
Thanks so much for sharing a very help post my friend. Oh and this is my first time here.
Theodore Nwangene says
Welcome to my blog RobG,
I’m so happy to have you here. Its obvious that incorporating a blog to a business can really uplift it more than you expected, but most people don’t really know that.
Thanks for visiting my blog bro, really appreciate.
Luis V says
I was never a believer of blogging until I met wordpress. 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Luis,
Welcome to my blog, its obvious that wordpress is the best blogging platform out there.
gain instagram followers free says
Dear Topbloggingcoach,
Neat Post, Hey, I’m trying to start a internet company that can be fun and interesting for web surfers. The problems I have too many ideals to think of and I now I don’t know what to do. I want to make a football blogging website for football sports lovers like me, but I feel like I need to find source from other website to make my website standout but I don’t want to do that. I want to make it legit! And I also want to make a website sorta like myspace and twitter but since twitter having a great success now and myspace growing incriedable strong of population? I’m not sure of whatever I such make. I want to make a website that can make revenue. Can you please help me?
Keep up the good work
So are you ready? 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi,
I don’t know your name and don’t know what to call you either. Yes i can help you, but you have to first let me know where you need my help.
Please use your real name when commenting next time.
bns gold says
Hello my loved one! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include approximately all important infos. I would like to peer extra posts like this .
HOw to be a model says
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it|
COACH japan says
Adding this to twitter great info.
frederick ffl says
That is really attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to in the hunt for extra of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks
www.babysleepsolution.com/ says
Hey there this is a good article. I’m going to email this to my friends. I came on this while exploring on yahoo I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing.
isteroids says
Thanks for writing such a intruiguing article, I stumbled onto your blog and read a few articles. I like your style of writing?
get followers on twitter says
I just like the valuable info you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am somewhat certain I will be told many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the following!
Donna Ragland says
Hi Theodore,
This is great post, packed with very valuable and helpful information!
I really like #3 – Don’t promote your business directly – and the reminder to “… focus on your readers”. This is a significant point and a lesson I’ve learned recently. Providing great content that is targeted to your industry is so important, especially if you want readers to keep coming back. Readers need to feel a connection and that you can relate to them.
And your recommendation in #6 – Encourage interactions and feedback – expands the focus on the readers even more by asking for their inputs and sharing their experiences.
In #7 – Use social media to increase your audience – I enjoyed your comment that “social media and blogs work hand in hand…” At first I wouldn’t have made the connection there, but it really makes sense. I appreciate your suggestion to start with just a few platforms. I’ve found social media platforms are not all created equal and it takes time to understand how best to use each one.
I’m glad to have connected with you – I saw your comment while visiting Sergio Felix’s blog. Thanks again for the great information!
Donna
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Donna,
Thanks a lot for taking your time to visit my blog, i really appreciate that. I’m also very happy that you like the post, the way you broke down everything shows that you really understood it all.
Thanks for coming, hoping to see you here often. And yes, I’m also happy to connect with you.
get cash for surveys gary mitchell review says
Thank you for another great post. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
Ramesh Kumar says
valuable post dear… i comes to ur website by ur google adsense article…..
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for the visit Ramesh,
Really appreciate it
Cedar Webdesign says
You mentioned being active in others blogs also. But doing so the element of keeping the reputation is a big factor. You just can’t go here and there making comments or feedback using your company name. Its always advised to follow a self discipline and ensure keeping standards. Some people forget this and most others don’t do this at all. And as a result most of the business owners can’t found anywhere around the industry
Theodore Nwangene says
I agree with you Cedar,
Thanks for your awesome contribution
Eban says
We can also growth our business online using Youtube video, Infogprahic design and promotion and quality guest blogging on high traffic blog.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thats correct Eban and i agree with you, thanks for the visit