Blogging has become one of the most valuable resources and PR tools for success in business. A blog can provide your company with increased online visibility, enhance your company’s good image and position you as an expert or thought leader in your field. All of these help to increase your credibility with your target audiences whether they are clients/customers, referral sources, employees or members of the media.

The idea of starting and maintaining a blog might seem daunting, so here are a few tips to help you create a blog that is meaningful and relevant to your business.

1. What did you say?
Open communication with clients is vital in creating a strong and trusting business relationship. Addressing any common questions or concerns on your blog will show clients that you have their best interests in mind and that they can communicate with you openly.

2. Information Without a Sales Pitch
Educate your “publics” about your services or products. By creating interesting and informative blog posts, you are able to explain the benefits of your product/service without openly advertising it to the reader.

3. Communication is a Two Way Street
Use your blog to encourage feedback and comments, whether positive or negative. Responding to comments, criticisms and suggestions will create an open line of communication with your readers. Communication will make your business more credible and in turn, make your readers more likely to purchase your product/service.

4. A Reading and Writing Community
View your blog as a gathering place for people who have similar interests or needs. Reach out to your readers, consumers and employees to contribute to your blog. Having different opinions and voices will help give your blog variety and keep the content interesting.

5. It Doesn’t Have to be Unique
It’s OK to sometimes share someone else’s article or blog post in your own blog as long as you are adding your own point of view of what the other writer is talking about. By sharing the knowledge of others and adding your own spin to it you are giving your readers multiple perspectives on the same topic.

6. Picture This
Add images or video to your blog to help enhance your posts and create interest. Images help to set the mood for your post and are frequently shared with other readers.

7. Be Your Own Editor.
You might have a lot to say about a topic, but be concise. Reread your posts and remove any extraneous information that is not related to your topic. Also, always try to be creative in your writing style. Creativity and use of a variety of writing styles will keep your readers interested.

8. Maintain Your Blog
A blog that is left inactive or rarely updated is not going to help your business. A blog that is consistently updated and actively engages readers will create a strong online presence for you and your business. To help you manage your blog, create a schedule for when you will write blog posts and answer questions or comments.

9. Share With Everyone
One of the best ways to get new readers is to ask current readers to share your posts. Once you have built strong relationships with your readers and are giving them interesting and informative content, they will be happy to share your posts. To make sharing your content easy, add social media buttons so that readers can conveniently share your content.

10. Promote Your Posts
Whenever you post to your blog, announce it on your social media sites. Use catchy headlines and give readers an interesting quote or photo to help drive them to your blog. Also remind them to check your blog regularly for new information and updates.

11. Communicate Clearly and Use your Voice
Readers do not want to read long, impersonal blog posts. They enjoy hearing your voice and seeing your writing style. Interesting, creative and entertaining writing will be more welcoming to readers than formal, impersonal writing.

Use these tips to create a blog that will be a valuable business resource for you and a strong communication and learning tool for your reader.

Blog on!