Blogging For Business: The Benefits, How To Format, and Recommended Strategies
Elise is a Squarespace web designer & Circle member from Baltimore, MD.
Blogging is my jam; it opened the door that led me to the world of web design.
When I started a blog called Blissfully Blossoming Beauty in 2016, I was amazed at how fast my reach grew! At this point, I didn’t even know all that I do now about developing a website. I just wrote my little heart out.
So much so that a few years later, I somehow ended up on Feedspot in the #3 position for Baltimore blogs.
I know this was due to my consistent blogging, even if there wasn’t much blog competition in 2016.
Blogs have evolved significantly since they first became popular and have become a powerful tool for personal expression and professional branding. Arming yourself with knowledge about how to structure your blog and best practices is the key to growing your reach online. This strategy can be a game changer for any business if done consistently.
What is Blogging?
Blogging involves creating and maintaining an online journal or informational site where people can express their thoughts, share insights, recount experiences, and showcase their expertise on a range of topics.
What are the Benefits of Blogging for Business?
Types of blogs include personal, professional, niche (focus on a specific topic or industry), and business. In this case, we will focus on how having a blog can benefit a small business. Whether you’re a new or well-known business, establishing and maintaining authority in your field is a must to gain new opportunities.
Benefits can include...
increasing website traffic
reinforcing brand recognition
creating engagement
establishing what sets you apart
Building & maintaining client relationships
Source: WIX Blog
How to Format a Blog
Blog structure is important—it's as straightforward as that. If your ideas are conveyed in a disorganized or illogical manner, readers will struggle to follow and grasp your main points.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you format your blog posts effectively:
Choose a catchy title and incorporate keywords for SEO.
Introduce our topic, and remember to use an appropriate hook.
Incorporate subheadings and bullet points or numbered lists to guide the flow of information.
Use visuals to reinforce your concepts.
Avoid large chunks of text to increase the ease of readability.
Add links to credible sources, including your own previously written posts that relate to the topic.
Sum everything up and include a call-to-action or direct readers to the next step.
Don’t forget to proofread and edit!
Formatting a blog post is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a user-friendly experience that encourages readers to engage with your content. By following these guidelines, you can enhance the quality of your blog posts, making them more appealing and easier for your audience to digest.
Follow these best practices for business blogging...
Lastly, I’d like to encourage you to keep going. Even though the effects of repeated efforts build up over time, making consistency necessary - give yourself grace.
Life goes up and down. If you continue to show up otherwise, don’t stress out if you miss a self-imposed deadline.