Because You Can Blog, Doesn't Mean You Should

Every business owner is told you must have a website; you must be on Facebook; you must Tweet and you must blog.

Your website is a virtual representation of your business. Everything about it is a reflection of how you want your business to be perceived.

Facebook is a thumbnail extension of that image and Twitter is regularly updated sound bytes that keep your customers apprised of news and where to find the related detail.

A blog is a platform to educate, inform, entertain or amuse your readers. You can do all of these things regardless of your business. But let’s be honest, some of us do not have the time to commit to regular blog updates. And if we are going to be really honest some of us still live in fear of the seventh grade teacher who assured us we should never write anything but a check.

A blog is important. It is a way to educate your customers, inform them of new trends and if you have the knack to amuse and entertain them as you would favorite guests at a dinner party.

You can be the best in your field but that does not mean you would design your website, sketch your logo or layout your ad content. If you do not have the time or feel it is the best use of your time to make each of the components of your business to be the best consistent image of your brand and message, there is a simple solution. Define an update schedule and hire someone who can help you achieve a consistent, professional image of your business including the regular composition and update of blog entries. Let a writer, compose your blog entries. You can have editorial control while you can be confident that your site is update at regular intervals with professional posts that provide the best professional image for your message.

20 Tips for Writing on the Web

Tips from our friends at Webdesignerdepot - 20 Tips on How to Write for the Web.

Good to Know

From one of my favorite sites, Webdesigner Depot, a little advice about blogging.

Client Work and Blogs

I having been working with clients lately "longing to blog". The good news a Blog helps drive search engines to websites so Blog Away. Blogging is such an interesting forum. It allows you to be as formal or as informal as you like. You can share to the point of too much information (TMI) or you can blog professional advice. Either will draw followers if someone finds what you have to say pertinent or interesting.

I have struggled with blogs. When I first moved to Maine I started a blog as a way to share photos of my new life with Dan and Lola. I didn't want to clog up my friend's email boxes. Then came Facebook. The My Life in Maine blog was forgotten. Then my wise friend Emily turned me on to Tubmlr (sorry Blogger). It was cool, especially for sharing photos. I found a forum I enjoyed more than FB, it was pretty cool. But then inspiration came again from my client Rachael of Meandering Maine. I love her Blog. It is interesting and in complete support of her business. See www.meanderingmaine.blogspot.com you will love it, especially if you love Maine. This got me to thinking about our LHT website and blogging more professionally for it, so here is my LHT Blog. Now it is just thinking about the lines of personal versus business and what is appropriate. But this challenge and figuring this stuff out helps me with other clients. Allyson has set up her blog, please see www.flexiblefitnessme.blogspot.com and soon you will see one from Ed.

Blog on everyone. I want to know what you have to say, and so will others.