5 REASONS WHY BLOGGING IS IMPORTANT

"Why is blogging important? It's not. It's boring nonsense. Video blogging is much better."

Now, before you whack me over the head, those aren't my words. And although I disagree, I can understand the appeal of video blogging or 'vlogging' as it's known.

It's:

• Fast
• Direct, and
• Gives you the opportunity to show people the weird stuff on the shelves behind you

I have no problem with video blogs - however, no matter what people tell you, the traditional blog post is very much alive.

Here are my five reasons why blogging is important, and how, if you have a business, it helps you.

Why blogging is important.

Okay, enough of the nonsense, let's get down to it:

1. Blogging Drives Traffic To Your Website

Yeah, that old chestnut, but it's true.

In a study by Hubspot, businesses who blog regularly increase their inbound leads (queries from visitors) by 67%.

Yikes - that's a lot!

Blogging is the perfect way to get your name out on social media. Sure, posting on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram is all well and good, but by creating stunning visuals to match your blog post, you'll catch the eye and get more visitors on your website.

2. Blogging Improves Your SEO

Otherwise known as Search Engine Optimisation. Honestly, how many times do you look further than the first page on Google (other search engines are available)?

Unsurprisingly, 75% of people don't bother scrolling past the first page of search results. If you're in the 25% who do - kudos for your perseverance.

By blogging regularly, and choosing specific keywords and phrases, you'll boost your chances of ranking higher.

Take this post, for instance, the title has the wording: 'Why blogging is important'.

Lots of people search that phrase on Google daily, and if you've stumbled across me by typing that in, well, it's driven traffic to my website, boosted my SEO and helped you understand blogging a little better.

3. Blogging Develops Better Relationships With Your Customers

Sure, you can chat on social media, but it's often fleeting and soon gobbled up among the hundreds of other tweets thundering out of your fingertips.

As much as customers will get a thrill out of a reply from you on Twitter, for example, it's much better to interact on your website.

Keeping your customers engaged and informed shows you're not just interested in showing your face on social media, but that you're passionate about updating your blog and website to keep them in the loop about of your latest developments.

You can answer their queries more in-depth and even blog about a query you've received.

Things like that really make your customers feel appreciated, long after that one tweet has disappeared out of sight.

4. Blogging Makes You The 'Go-To' Guru

We all like to think we're experts in what we do.

So show it!

When you blog consistently with engaging, informative posts that help your customers as well as your peers, you'll soon notice your traffic increase.

Why?

Because people will appreciate that you're not wasting their time. They'll trust you to provide them with the information they need.

Every. Single. Time.

Trust may only be a 5-letter word, but it's massive when it comes to your customers.

Nobody knows what you do better than you, so get out there, inform those who need your help, share it around social media and be the person everyone turns to for advice.

5. Blogging Shows You're Human

You can drive traffic to your website. Boost your SEO. Develop better relationships with your customers and make yourself the 'go-to' person.

But the reason why blogging is important to me is it shows I'm human.

I use words I would say in conversation, or be a bit silly like in the third bullet point about vlogging:

"Gives you the opportunity to show people the weird stuff on the shelves behind you."

This shows when you work with me, you're not getting a guy who'll put you to sleep (actual sleep that is, not lethal injection), you're getting someone who is relaxed.

Your blog is where you get to be a bit more like you.

Some businesses even swear on their blogs (okay, I've done it a couple of times, but not loads).

By showing your personality, people get to know the person behind the screen.

It's great to be informative, but make sure not to bore people too.

***

So, there it is, my five reasons why blogging is important - and I could probably have chucked in ten more.

If you run a business, make sure you think about blogging, your next big client might be just a click away.

Until next time,

Matthew

PS. If you love the idea of starting a business blog but don't have the time, I can write it for you. Read all about what I can do for you on my About page - and check out my little video!

This post originally appeared on Indelible Think.