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Step 1
The first step is to get your blog set up. I recommend using blogger.com, especially for beginners, because it is very easy to use. Take time to create your user name because this will also be the name of your blog. For instance, if your business is Murphy's Plumbing and you're in Seattle, a great user name would be murphysseattleplumbing or something similar. This would give you a blog url (web address) of murphysseattleplumbing.blogspot.com
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Step 2
Once you have your blogger account, you can begin to use your blog as a way to communicate with your local area by posting announcements, such as new products, services, special sales, etc. While blogging may sound complicated, it's really not. Just think of it as a message board for your business, like an online version of the old arrow signs that let you change your message.
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Step 3
The next step, after you have posted your first message, is to get the word out that you have a blog. This can be accomplished in many different ways. The easiest way is to start adding the blog address on all of your companies printed products, such as business cards, flyers, and any existing print advertising. This will accomplish direct, local promotion of your blog.
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Step 4
Another very important consideration is making sure your blog can appear in online search results. This is done by submitting your blog to the search engines (article on this below, under resources heading) and also with other techniques, called search engine optimization (article below).
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Step 5
It is also important to keep your blog up-to-date to keep visitors coming back. An outdated blog will not likely be revisited by your customers. Providing new information is a great way to get repeat visitor's to see what's new.
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Step 6
There are many ways to use a blog for your local business. By doing a bit of research online, you can get many great ideas. Start by doing a search on 'business blogging' or 'business blogs' to get more information.
