I’m big fan of blogging.
I think it is the most authentic form of advertisement for online entrepreneurs like you and me (and it’s ok to turn off the counts on those social share buttons if you are just starting out).
A blog post allows you to showcase your authority on a topic through words, images, and videos.
And when you optimize it correctly for search engines (I use and recommend the Rainmaker Platform for this capability as well), your posts become organically connected to the questions people all over the world are googling about.
Important Distinction from Online Advertisements through Facebook and Google
When you reach an audience through paid “sponsored” ads, you still haven’t demonstrated your authority on the problem people are trying to solve.
What you have demonstrated is your ability to write and target a good advertisement (or you have demonstrated your budget to pay someone to do it for you).
I’m not knocking advertisements. They can be valuable part of your business plan and if you can track a positive return on investment (ROI) of your advertisement spend, keep doing it.
But blogging still wins.
3 Benefits of Blogging
-
Blogging is Free
Ok, it is not truly free from an opportunity cost perspective. You still have to put in the thoughtful work to create the posts or to aggregate posts from other writers who share your passion. You also need to optimize it for search engines (I will offer tips in that area on this blog). But when you blog, you are not handing over cash to Facebook or Google.
-
Blogging is Authentic
When you blog, you share your voice with the world. When you blog, you let the world into your journal. When you blog, you become a real person with real interests, struggles, and solutions. When you blog, you go the extra mile in service to others. When you blog, you become authentic.
-
Blogging Gives You Content to Re-Use
Each time you blog, you are creating content that can be used for multiple purposes. You can use the content as an opportunity to share something new with your existing audience. You can use the content as part of an ebook or course for sale on your website (don’t worry – all successful online entrepreneurs do it). You can also use the content for a speech or webinar (also a popular tactic).
Benefits of Blogging
There are certainly more than three benefits of blogging, but hopefully these three benefits will inspire you to get in the habit of blogging. There are enough advertisements. The world needs to hear your authentic voice.
Hope this helps,
Brent
Please let me know if you have any questions via my contact form or in direct response to my free Graceful Journal email mailing list.
I’m here to take away the pain of figuring out how to use new web technologies so you can gracefully profit online from your passion in life.