10 Reasons Why Businesses Should Blog Effectively

It is rather unfortunate that business houses are not taking blogging a seriously as they should. It is reported that only 35 percent of corporate houses are blogging. This is a huge marketing opportunity being missed. Here are ten reasons why businesses should regularly blog:

1. Blogging supports a variety of functions including dissemination of information, marketing, public relations (PR) and branding. It is found that business houses that regularly blog generate 54% more website visitors and 96% more inbound links.
2. Blogging is an effective way to lure new customers and the most effective blogs have some form of call-to-action (CTA) which takes visitors to a landing page.
3. Blogs which regularly publish fresh, interesting and informative content that is optimized for search (target key phrases, internal linking and on-page SEO) will gain organic search traffic.
4. Blogs provide businesses the ideal platform to launch new products and respond to any questions that potential or existing customers may have.
5. Blogs are owned media and as such businesses have full control over the content and have the opportunity to go elaborate than they would on earned media.
6. Many frontline business organizations use their blog to host intellectual property and assume the role of thought leaders in their respective fields. Even if blogging does not guarantee you a thought leadership position, it will open up your content to a larger audience.
7. Blogging can support your social media marketing efforts. Simply stated, quality blog content gives you something to talk about on social media. Create content that contains a mix of topics that will appeal to your audience.
8. Do not forget, blogging gives your business a voice on the internet. Blogs give businesses an opportunity to explain their vision and mission and management philosophy.  State your point of view and initiate comments /discussions.
9. Blogging frequently helps inspire confidence amongst your existing and prospective customers. It tells the world your businesses listens to customer needs and respects their feedback.  Provide your readers the opportunity to have a discussion and comment on your blogs. This will demonstrate that your business is open and trustworthy.
10. Regular blogging increases web traffic. Every thought-provoking blog post gives your prospects a reason to return to your website, forge firm relationship with your brand and eventually become a customer.