How to Start a Business Blog

With so many businesses jumping on the blogging bandwagon, you may be wondering if having a blog is right for your business. If updated frequently with valuable information, a blog can offer prospective clients useful information. Ideally, that information can prompt them to contact you. Blogs can also help your business establish a better corporate image and position your company as an industry leader. The good news is that blogs are easy to maintain and many platforms are free.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Identify a blog provider. There are so many to choose from, so start by shopping around. Check out http://www.blogger.com, http://www.wordpress.com, http://www.typepad.com, or http://www.journalhome.com.

   Most of these platforms offer easy-to-use templates that make the art of blogging easy. They also feature push-button publishing, which makes it easy to create and publish posts. Find the one that you like best.

2. Personalize your blog. You don't have to be too artistic to create a custom banner. If you want to start simple, give your blog a title that grabs attention.

   This is where many bloggers have learned to position themselves as a unique brand. Instead of a writer having a blog about his or her life, one could start a blog just about writing for the Web or writing books, for example. You can be as detailed--or broad--as you want here.

3. 

   Choose who views. Do you want your blog to be private or personal? You can adjust the settings on most platforms to filter out unwanted readers. LiveJournal, for example, is great if you want a personal blog and want to filter out strangers. Most platforms give you the ability to password-protect your published posts so only those who you add to a friends' list can view what you've written.

Tips & Warnings

• If you update your blog regularly, you'll get more visitors and establish a reader base.

• Assess what you say. Remember that it's hard to take back anything personal, so if this is a business blog it's vital to keep it professional!

• Add photos to your blog for better visual appeal.

• Encourage clients to visit your blog with links to it from your website, email address, etc.

• Check out other business blogs--especially those in your industry.

• Spell check your posts.

• Don't blast your clients in the blog!