Blogging is becoming the way for you and millions of other small business owners to reach potential 
customers. In fact, did you know that 92 percent of companies who blog multiple times per day have acquired new customers from their blog? Knowing this, your small business needs a blog in order to continue to expand and flourish.
So, in order to help you see how a blog can be a tremendous asset to your small business, we’ve pulled together 14 fun facts that’ll have you wondering why your small business hasn’t had a blog this whole time. Plus, as a bonus, we’ll show you how to start a blog, too.
What, Exactly, is a Blog?
Sure, you’ve heard the word blog, but what is it? Merriam-Webster defines a blog as “a Web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences.”
But what does this have to do with your small business?
Starting a blog for your small business means you can publish articles on topics you’re passionate about (i.e. your small business’s industry). Then, because your opinions, advice, and knowledge are out in the internet world, people come across what you’ve written. This, in turn, means people find your business. Which brings us to the 14 ways a blog can help your small business flourish.
14 Ways a Blog Helps Your Small Business Flourish
Before we delve into how you can get a blog started, here are 14 things you should know about blogging and how it can help your business flourish.
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Blogs are the place to go for information. 81 percent of U.S. consumers trust information and advice from blogs.
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You’re more connected. Customers and potential customers can easily see what you’re posting and feel more connected to your business.
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Consumers love blogs. 23 percent of people’s internet usage time is devoted to blogs.
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Blogs promote sales. 61 percent of U.S. online consumers have made a purchase based on recommendations from a blog.
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Blogs can feature how-to videos and bring in leads. The average person watches 182 online videos per month.
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Blogs bring organic traffic. Businesses that blog more than 20 times/month get 5x more traffic than those who blog less than 4 times/month.
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Blogs are the most popular (79 percent) tactic for business-to-business marketers.
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Brand engagement increases by 28 percent when consumers are exposed to professional blogs.
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Blogs are for your company’s website to be found easily.
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Blogs are worth your money. In fact, 42 percent of companies with fewer than 10 employees allocate 42 percent of their marketing budget to content.
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Blogs promote forms to request information. 75 percent of small to medium-sized U.S. business websites lack an email link on their homepage for consumers to contact the business.
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Blogs and social media work hand in hand and can be used to promote one another.
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Blogging is free for your business, yet can bring in thousands and even millions of dollars in revenue.
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Blogging helps you understand your small business better by writing in-depth about topics in your industry.
How to Start a Blog for Your Small Business
Alright, we’ve given you some pretty compelling facts as to why a blog is beneficial to your small business. But, how do you start a blog? Here are 7 simple steps.
Step 1: Pick a Name and Industry
You’ll need a catchy name that readers can understand what they’re getting into. Pick a name that not only is creative and captures a reader’s attention, but one that reflects your small business’s industry.
Step 2: Decide When and How Much to Post
Remember, businesses that blog more than 20 times/month get 5x more traffic than those who blog less than 4 times/month. As such, decide how much and when you’ll post and stick to a schedule.
Step 3: To Pay or Not to Pay
Though you do not have to pay for a blog, you will have the option to. You may want to pay for a more robust blog site in order to have better options and customization along with your own unique website URL that doesn’t include the name of the blog site.
Step 4: Prepare Yourself
It’s best for you to have at least a month’s worth of content ready to go before you make your blog public. This way, you won’t get behind.
Step 5: Get Ready to Share
The best way to get your blog traction is by telling everyone you know about it, often. Use social media, friends, family, and customers to promote it.
Step 6: Find What You Like
As you move forward, look around on the internet and see how people in your industry are writing. Take the most successful articles on the internet and use them as a guide or template to write your own. Try and take something that’s great on the internet and making your own better version.
Step 7: Post Around
You can get more readers if you comment on others’ articles and include a link to your blog.
Conclusion
Blogs are an amazing way to get your business’s name out there. As a small business owner, it’s important for you to know how to start a blog and keep it up regularly. Why? Blogs allow you to publish useful information to the public and, at the same time, create traffic and leads to your website. A blog isn’t simply a fun tool for your small business, it’s an essential tool to help it grow and flourish.
Do you know how to start a blog? If not, what questions do you have - we’d love to answer them. Comment below.
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Blog statistics source: Smallbusiness.yahoo.com
