When scratching your head for blog ideas, remember it should be something people want to read (yes, that simple!) AND, preferably, be something you care about. If you care, then it will shine like a beacon through your blog. If you look around the internet at other popular blogs, the one thing they have in common is passion for their subject.
Before you start thinking: ‘passion? Do you mean like Halle Berry at the Oscars?’
No, passion in this case means enthusiasm for your subject and desire to engage with your readers! One thing to remember, this isn’t a personal blog, it’s for your business – so don’t blog about your holiday or your new dog (mind you, a ‘dog-blog’ has potential!).
- Professional experiences
We have them every day and, sometimes, they’re interesting! If you’re in business, no two days are ever the same. It’s a cliché, but true. Sharing those experiences good and bad, can be really interesting to others in business. Remember when you first thought about getting started? You were hungry for as much first-hand information as you could get your paws on (dogs again? – Ed). You’re not alone. Share it.
- Promote your products or services
It might be a unique service, you might be the only person in the country who can do it. Or you might be the best person in the country at selling it. Or you might be the best value person at making it. But how will anyone ever know unless you TELL THEM! Tell existing customers and potential ones about how, why and what you do.
- Didn’t she do well!
And the winner of the best new business idea 2012 is… you! That’s right, if you’ve been acknowledged within your industry or sector don’t be shy about letting the world know. Nothing succeeds like success and your customers like to know they’re using someone considered the best at what they do. Write about why you won it and tell readers about the event you were honoured at.
- Today’s special is…
When you have great offers coming up, blog about it and how it will transform the reader’s life. Or you could be hosting an open day event, blog about it before and after. Or even during it if you’ve got the time.
- Become a resource
We don’t want to big-up the competition, but there are sure to be other sites that complement what your business does. Review those sites and tell people what you think of them. Don’t use the platform to criticise. That’s too easy. Pick useful sites and explain where the crossover is with your business. In time, you might even become a useful research resource.
- Lists
We all like lists. This blog is one! Come up with some top 5s, top 10s or even top 20s. Doesn’t matter how many. Just make sure they are interesting and relevant. They can be short and sweet too and make a nice way to generate some traffic – if you use SEO wisely.
- Tutorials
How to… is a great way to engage with customers. You might sell the sort of product that needs a bit of after-care service. Your customers will think the world of you if you explain how to troubleshoot or carry out minor tweaks on old products. You could blog on a different remedy each month and even include a little video demonstration to go with it!
- Sound-off
Ranting isn’t normally a good idea online. Remember that once you’ve posted an offending blog – it’s there for everyone to see it. And even if you go back and change something later, you can bet your life someone has already read it. But having an opinion, if it’s delivered without malice, isn’t a bad thing. Why not blog about new government legislation or industry developments affecting your business?
- Meet and greet
Interview a supplier or customer and profile what they do. It adds a human face to your blog and encourages more people to read it.
- Create a diary
Pick a theme. Could be a new product launch or the countdown to bidding for a big contract. But whatever it is, create a journey for your visitors that will keep them coming back for more. Update it regularly whenever something significant happens. Good or bad.
