You can hear the click of the keyboard keys, the ideas are spinning around in your head, and every time you look at your computer screen you imagine sitting down and writing. If you have any of these symptoms, chances are you’re ready to start blogging. Often, starting a blog is one of the most intimidating parts of content marketing for service professionals. Even if you have a good idea of what to write about or feel exceptionally inspired, it can be hard to take that first step.
Where do I start with my blog?
First, you need to consider the logistics when starting your blog. The most popular blogging platform is WordPress, and others include Tumblr, Blogger, Drupal, and many more. You also have to ask yourself if you are willing to pay for your domain and hosting platform. A self-hosted blog means that you own your blog and domain and may have more options the engagement rates you receive. A free alternative is an excellent option if you want to take a slower start into blogging or having a custom domain isn’t as important (for example, yourname.wordpress.com).
Once you get started with your blogging platform, you are ready to design your blog and start posting! This is the fun part. Platforms like WordPress have thousands of free templates to choose from, and you can add images and other personal aspects to make it look just right.
How often should I blog?
Once your blog is up and running, you may be wondering how often you should post. There’s no absolute rule on how often to post because it depends on your industry, writing abilities, and time constraints. It is important, however, to develop a consistent schedule when it comes to your blog posts. Some writers like to start out slow, with a post every week or two. From there, you might want to increase and post two or three times a week.
The main question you should ask yourself when thinking about your blog post is whether or not it offers new, insightful information. Blogs draw readers in because of their quality of content, not regularity.
What should I blog about?
This is the million dollar question when it comes to service professionals and blogging. We’ve all seen the blogger: they post multiple articles a day that are essentially thinking out loud on the internet. While some of these posts may be worthwhile, the majority of these “stream of conscious” style blogs are not worth the read.
Instead, try to frame your blogs around your unique business. For example, if you are a financial advisor looking to get more young clients, you could write a blog post about the current trends in saving for retirement and why it’s important to start early. Another idea is to craft blog posts that correlate with current events, such as the BrokerCheck ruling or Fiduciary Rule.
Blogging is an essential aspect of a content marketing strategy because it draws people back to your website, establishes yourself as a content creator in your field, and gives you an opportunity to communicate with clients outside of your regular communication. If you would like more information about blogging, check out our SlideShare below.
