Blogging is one of the most valuable tools that businesses have to engage with customers and ultimately make their lives easier. In fact, *60% of businesses who blog acquire more customers so if you’re not blogging, it’s time to get started. Here’s why...

1. Become a trusted resource for your clients – The best blogs answer common questions your target audience may have. If you're consistently creating content that's of interest to your potential customers, it will help establish you as an expert in the industry and gives your company a voice.

1. Drive traffic to your website- Every time you write a blog post, it's one more indexed page on your website, which means one more opportunity for your site to show up in search engines and help potential customers find you through an organic search. By you blogging, this helps Google and other search engines understand your website is active and they should be checking in often to keep up with new content

1. Remain relatable to your audience– By keeping the tone informative yet casual, it makes your readers feel like they’re getting advice from a friend. A blog creates a two-way conversation with customers, prospects and fellow industry members. It also encourages interaction and feedback but make sure you reply to all comments to keep them coming back! This is your direct communication channel with the people who matter most.

One important thing to keep in mind is that blogging should be consistent – If not done every day, it should be done at least 2-3 times a week and on a regular schedule. You can get creative with content by branching off from your services now and then to keep things interesting and less like a brand commercial.

Here are a few unique ideas for content:

• Keep it local: Deviate from the company information and talk about something important happening in your community or philanthropic efforts you’re engaging in

• Regular features: Start a weekly series that people can learnt to count on. For example, “Throwback Thursday” where you share some of your previous work or “Friday 5” which allows you to write about 5 interesting topics from the industry that week

• How-to: Show a step by step process on how to use your products/services…even better if you can incorporate a video tutorial!

• Tell a story: Share an in-depth look at a co-worker’s unique hobby or someone’s funny anecdote from a weekend outing.

• Have fun! Above all, remember to enjoy the process because blogging can be inspiring. Once you start, you will start to notice ideas for content in everything whether it’s talking with colleagues, reading a book, or traveling to the company conference. Whenever you think of something, write it down and find ways to tie it back to your main message.

*Source: http://www.sproutcontent.com/blog/19-Reasons-Why-Your-Business-Should-Be-Writing-a-Blog

Find our blog at katherinefrank.com/blogwhere we feature exhibit design and trade show tips.