In a recent meeting, one of my small business clients asked me (with a very skeptical look on his face but he was genuinely curious) “Why should we blog, what’s the value?” I gave him the 1 minute response (content, engagement, landing page, low cost, social media, save time sharing info, SEO, etc.) but decided to follow up and provide more articles for him on the topic. It took 30 seconds to find the articles, 2-3 minutes to compose the email to him, 5-7 minutes to create this blog post. As a result, I have a single URL landing page which holds all of the information in one place so that next time somebody asks, I can simply send them to this one blog post. If you’re a visual person, see the graphic at the bottom of this post.

Each person or small business may have their own reason to blog, but the simplicity of capturing information so that it’s easy to share again and again is one of the main reasons I blog. That, and SEO!  So…

Why should a small business blog, anyway?

What a Blog Can Do For Your Small Business:
http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/ecommerce/a/bblogs.htm

Why Blog:
http://reneearpin.com/why-blog/

Six Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Blog Now:
http://www.womensleadershipexchange.com/index.php?pagename=resourceinfo&resourcekey=290

15 Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Blog:
http://www.indrashishghosh.com/smallbusinessblogging/

Why Small Businesses Should Blog More:
http://www.nikkipilkington.com/internet-marketing-articles/internet-marketing-article-the-benefits-why-small-businesses-should-blog-more/

What a Blog Can Do For Your Small Business:
http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/ecommerce/a/bblogs.htm

Why Small Business Should Blog:
http://kevinekmark.com/why-small-business-should-blog/

Why You should Blog for Your Small Business:
http://wpmu.org/why-you-should-blog-for-your-small-business/

Why SMBs Should Get Serious About Guest Blogging:
http://smallbiztrends.com/2012/04/why-smbs-should-get-serious-about-guest-blogging.html

Want to read more about this topic?:
http://bit.ly/IGlauk

Would you rather a view a graphic than read?

Click on image to expand (this is beyond blogging for business, it’s blogging in general):

Here are some great resources with tips and hints on blogging for business.

• How to Improve Your Blog – A collection of 110 informative tips from a wide variety of bloggers. Some of my favorites include:
  • Resist the Urge to Overplug — make it more than self-promotion.
  • Short Attention Spans Rule — keep it short.
  • Gimme News I Can Use.
• Six Reasons Every Brand Should Blog — From Huffington Post blogger, Paula Berg:
  • “Despite the evidence in favor of blogging, with the rise of Twitter and Facebook, many brands are reluctant to blog. While blogs can be a lot of work, they provide a foundation for information on the web and an owned platform for your social business.”
  • Brand Identity: A blog provides a low-cost, long-term venue to continuously bring your brand to life.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): A blog provides an informative resources for anyone seeking information about you or issues related to your brand.
  • Control the Message: A blog provides you with a platform to accurately tell the important brand stories.
  • Social Media Home Base: A blog provides a long-term home for content than can be continually accessed and pushed through other social and traditional channels.
  • Lead generation: A blog can help grow your business
  • Analytics: Blog analytics can help you perfect your online communication strategies and improve ROI.
• Good Blogging Etiquette for Guest Posting Hopefuls — from Tutorial Blog:
  • “As bloggers, wanna-be writers and hopeful freelancers, we hear, probably on a daily basis, just how important guest blogging is. We know we should be guest blogging which means we know we should be actively seeking out new blogs and new sites as potential homes for our precious content.”
  • Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice — add your own kick and spunk.
  • Make the Host Blogger’s Job as Easy as You Possibly Can
  • Be Yourself, But Try to Fit In Too
  • Don’t Be a Stranger – don’t just blog and vanish.

Here are 5  (6, actually) Super Resources for the Small Business Owner Who Wants a Great Website! [June 15, 2011 update: added #6!]

I’m gearing up for my June 14 and June 21 classes. I want to make sure I let you know about these articles and tools:

If we can push past the alarming use of profanity against a toddler, there’s something to be gleaned from Mad Mall Mama’s concise call-to-action. The 25-character statement included at least 4 smart components.

This information is intended for very small business owners, like a local landscaper or painter or maybe a daycare establishment. A business that will likely never be able to justify the ROI of hiring a competent and professional SEO. And quite frankly? Likely doesn’t need to.

Here are 5 common web design mistakes you must avoid to create a great user experience and grow your bottom line.

Page Speed Online analyzes the content of a web page, then generates suggestions to make that page faster. Reducing page load times can reduce bounce rates and increase conversion rates.

This is the gold standard tool for keyword research.

From Outspoken Media: “Hello. I’m a potential new customer and I just landed on your Web site for the very first time. I’m taking a look around and I think I may like what you’re offering. In fact, your services/that pair of shoes/that quirky owl necklace are exactly what I’ve been waiting for. But, as a new customer, before I take the plunge, I have some questions. Things I need to know or at least would like to know before I commit to doing business with you.”

[This started out as a Facebook note with friends. There was such a great response/conversation, that I decided to turn it into a blog post. If we're personally -- not just via my business Page -- connected on Facebook, you can view the conversation there.] [Updated July 19, 2011, January 7, 2012]

I cannot tell you how many times in the last several years I’ve been asked to volunteer (that is, work for free) to do things that I get paid to do as a professional consultant. This includes speaking, presenting, organizing, organizing speakers, organizing presenters, planning, brainstorming, teaching, pulling meetings together, posting, tweeting, sharing resources information, finding web designers, and otherwise connecting people.

Honestly, when I’m asked to volunteer or “let’s have lunch while I pick your brain,” my first gut response is that I’m flattered. But, considering that I don’t have a full time salary (or a rich spouse) I’m limited as to how much I can volunteer in my “free” time, and how much I want to give up my free time for something that’s not a high priority for me. The line between professional, volunteer, and personal time is completely blurry. Actually, there is no line. It’s all one pot of time.

Sometimes I say yes to a request because I think it will bring me professional opportunities or connections. Other times I say yes in anticipation of personal satisfaction. I’m happy to chat with friends with whom I have a relationship that’s close enough such that I would turn to them for their expertise. Indeed, the most likely reason I’ll say yes is simply so I can hang out with interesting people. Regardless, I’m starting to feel some frustration or resentment.

Note: I’m not talking about situations where the request is for something where everybodyis a volunteer, such as at my son’s school, for TEDx, or for a fundraiser. I’m not talking about a question or conversation that takes place when I’m already doing something with the person who is asking, social or otherwise. I don’t mind if it’s a friend or colleague who would help me in exchange. However, it boggles my mind how often solidly employed people (from the chamber, UCSC, Cabrillo, etc), or business people who stand to benefit financially from my input, think sufficient compensation for my spending hours talking, preparing, presenting is “You’ll make all sorts of great connections that might lead to new clients for you.” That is, it’s ok that I work for free on something that’s for the benefit of THEIR business’s bottom line. Would you ask your attorney to lunch so you can pick their brain about legal stuff? Not unless they’re your best friend. Would you expect the masseuse at Esalen to work for free because it would be a great way to meet people who’d become clients?

So, recently, when I received what I *think* is another request to give my professional services away for free, and it took me waaaaay too long to compose a — what might have been an appropriate — response, I found solace in these articles (blog posts, see below). These writers have done a fine job in articulating my growing frustration. I’ll still volunteer from time to time but I’m getting more ornery about it.

And, if we were friends before you asked, I still want to be friends after I say no.

• http://outspokenmedia.com/online-marketing/pick-your-brand-requests/
• http://kommein.com/you-want-to-pick-my-brain-pay-me/
• http://kickingsand.com/no-you-cant-pick-my-brain/
• http://prblog.typepad.com/strategic_public_relation/2010/02/can-i-pick-your-brain.html
• http://belladomain.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/are-you-on-the-national-no-brain-picking-list/
• http://shankman.com/an-open-letter-to-kami/
• http://www.techipedia.com/2010/the-audacity-of-free/
• http://makeness.com/the-top-5-marketing-complaints-that-make-me-want-to-throw-a-brick-at-you/
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE
• http://shouldiworkforfree.com/
• http://www.openforum.com/articles/6-ways-to-let-people-pick-your-brain-without-wasting-your-time
• http://www.dvafoto.com/2011/04/fuck-you-pay-me-a-discussion-of-adventures-in-contracts-negotiation-and-payment/
• http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/03/28/no-you-cant-pick-my-brain-it-costs-too-much/

Anybody out there have any stories about this happening to you? How did you handle it without hurting the relationship? Do you have any thoughts or recommendations on how to raise awareness of this?

Thanks!
Sara

Website: http://saraisenberg.com
Blog: http://saraisenberg.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/saraisenberg
Twitter: @saraisenberg

Thank you for attending Santa Cruz Parks & Rec class Intro to WordPress.com for Free Website or Blog on March 1, 2011.

My presentation is available here:
Download Presentation [PDF]

My Upcoming Classes are listed here:
http://saraisenberg.com/upcoming-classes/

Here are some great Blogging and WordPress resources:

• How to Fail at Blogging and Social Media: http://saraisenberg.com/2011/02/08/how-to-fail-at-blogging-and-social-media/
• Great Social Media Resources – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blogging (scroll down to see the blogging links): http://saraisenberg.com/2010/07/22/social-media-resources-linkedin-facebook-twitter-blogging/

• WordPress: http://wordpress.org
• More WordPress: http://wordpress.com
• More WordPress: http://learn.wordpress.com
• Even More WordPress http://wordpress.tv
• Even MORE WordPress: Printer-friendly version of the entire Learn WordPress.com tutorial

• Business Blogging Best Practices: http://socialmediab2b.com/2009/06/business-blogging-best-practices/
• Business Blogging Best Practices (video): http://everything.typepad.com/blog/2009/02/typepad-business-class.html
• Blogging Best Practices: http://www.echoditto.com/blogging
• New! 30 Tips On How To Make Your Company’s Blog Rock: http://www.jeffbullas.com/2010/02/21/30-tips-on-how-to-make-your-companys-blog-rock/
• New! 20 Blogs Every Business Owner Should Read: http://www.businessinsider.com/20-blogs-every-business-owner-should-read-2010-7
• 9 Things to Do to Make Sure Your Next Blog Post is Read by More than Your Mom: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/09/03/9-things-to-do-to-make-sure-your-next-blog-post-is-read-by-more-than-your-mom/
• New! The Yahoo! Style Guide: http://styleguide.yahoo.com/
• How to Trick People into Reading Your Blog: http://outspokenmedia.com/blogging/how-to-trick-people-into-reading-your-blog/

Thanks!
Sara

Website: http://saraisenberg.com
Blog: http://saraisenberg.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/saraisenberg
Twitter: @saraisenberg

Another cool infographic. From SocialCast. The Hectic Schedule of a Social Media Manager.

Infographic from Socialcast

Here’s a cool infographic from Mashable and Postling showing how small businesses are using social media to engage:

Thank you for attending our Santa Cruz Parks & Rec class Expand Your Reach With Social Media on February 1, 2011.

My presentation is available for viewing or downloading here:
Download Presentation [PDF]

Upcoming Classes:

1. ABCs of SEO – Basics of Search Engine Optimization (with co-instructor, SEO expert, Steve Penny) on Feb 15, 2011.
2. Build a Free Blog or Website with WordPress.com on March 1, 2011.

Details about the classes and registration, see: http://saraisenberg.com/upcoming-classes/

For more resources, see:

• My collection of best SEO Resources: http://saraisenberg.com/2010/10/16/best-seo-resources/
• My collection of best Social Media Resources: http://saraisenberg.com/2010/07/22/social-media-resources-linkedin-facebook-twitter-blogging/
• Review: http://www.mindjumpers.com/blog/2011/01/the-impact-of-social-media/
• Full HBR Article: http://hbr.org/hbrg-main/resources/pdfs/comm/sas/16203-hbr-sas-report-r3.pdf

Thanks!
Sara
Website: http://saraisenberg.com
Blog: http://saraisenberg.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/saraisenberg
Twitter: @saraisenberg

Thank you for attending the Santa Cruz Parks & Rec class Build a Free Blog or Website with WordPress.com – For Beginners on October 12, 2010.

1. My presentation is available for viewing or downloading here:
MyPresi-Oct12-2010 [PDF]

2. I’ll be teaching How to Prepare for Your Website Overhaul (or New Website) on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

3. I’ll be teaching Expand Your Reach with Social Media (with co-instructor Karen Kefauver) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011.

4. I’ll be teaching ABCs of SEO — Basics of Search Engine Optimization (with co-instructor, SEO expert, Steve Penny) on Tuesday, February 15, 2011.

5. I’ll be teaching this class – Build a Free Blog or Website with WordPress.com – For Beginners — again on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

All of my upcoming classes will be listed on this page. Links will be provided when Santa Cruz Parks & Rec is ready for registration:
http://saraisenberg.com/upcoming-classes/

Thanks!
Sara
Website: http://saraisenberg.com
Blog: http://saraisenberg.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaraIsenbergConsulting
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/saraisenberg
Twitter: @saraisenberg