Blogs are for explaining marketing or finance or how-to tutorials, right? A landscaper, candlemaker, plumber, beekeeper, farmer, dog walker, or hair stylist doesn’t need one, right?
Wrong. Very, very wrong.
Blog posts are still relevant, even in a world where visual social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram reign supreme. The written word has much power—power you can turn into money.
Not sure how your business could benefit? Keep reading. And if you’re sure your company couldn’t possibly use a blog, you really need to keep reading.
In the days of yore, people didn’t learn about businesses without a billboard, an ad in the Yellow Pages, or by word of mouth. In today’s world, blog posts function similarly to these old-fashioned marketing outlets.
When someone searches on Google and your blog post pops up, it’s like flipping to the pizza section of the phone book and perusing your options. You need your blog post to appear at the top of the search page or you’ll get overlooked.
A lot goes into Google rankings, so we’ll only look at the basics.
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is what you need for your site to show up in search engines like Google, Bing, or whatever else you may use. If your site isn’t optimized, you could be buried on page 12 or further back. Nobody will see you!
The University of San Diego lists keywords, backlinks, and meta descriptions as key factors, among others. Having a blog post is one thing, but ranking high is another. You need a skilled writer or marketer to handle this unless you want to dive into the wonderful world of SEO yourself.
Yellow bootleg pants.
How to remove gum from hair.
Axe throwing near me.
These are keywords, AKA phrases someone might type into the Google or Bing search bar.
“Yellow bootleg pants” on Google brings up store listings because someone who dares to search such a thing is probably hoping to buy something outlandish. And honestly, good for them.
I clicked through several search pages and didn’t see any blog posts (probably because nobody wants to write about yellow bootleg pants). If somebody did write about them, using “yellow bootleg pants” throughout the article naturally could outrank some store listings.
“How to remove gum from hair” is a different story. It starts out with Reddit posts, but there are a few blog posts on the first page along with some videos. A blog that mentions the phrase enough could make it to the top page provided all its other SEO components are doing well.
As for “axe throwing near me,” to beat your local axe-throwing competitors, blog posts will help you get to the top if you mention “axe throwing” and your city.
A lot could be said about keywords; this is hardly the tip of the iceberg.
Backlinks are important if you want to rank high, and to do that, you need well-written content.
Sloppy writing and keyword stuffing won’t get you anywhere, and search engines will even penalize overusing keywords, according to SEO.com. Posts written with quality and care will be noticed. Fact-check your sources, edit your work, and make sure only the best content makes it to your website.
If you have a post called “How to Remove Ticks” that links to reliable sources and offers valuable information other sites don’t have, you could be seen as a trusted source, and they could link to your post as a reference.
That’s a backlink, and the more you have, the more search engines will see you as a reliable source and you’ll have better chances of making it to the top.
Finding customers and clients is tough. Blog posts can help.
Unless you take down your blog posts, they’ll be there. Someone could stumble across them while they’re searching for something you offer.
With blog posts, you can advertise your business long-term without spending money on advertising. Hands-free work is fun!
Let’s say you have a “boring” company like a trash removal service. (No offense to our trash removal friends!) Unless someone is looking for trash services, they likely won’t click on your site for the fun of it.
Unless you have a blog post titled “3 Dumpster Rental Mistakes That Will Get You into Legal Trouble.” Legal trouble? For dumpsters? Click.
Now, they’ll learn something useful and may remember your company the next time they need a trash removal service.
The best way to get more people on your site is to give them something they want: answers.
Landscaping companies can provide maintenance tips and schedules. Plumbers can list the do’s and don’ts of garbage disposals. Locally-owned retail shops can talk about upcoming events or holidays for which they’ll need to purchase gifts.
You can provide value in many ways aside from answering questions. Consider:
Debunking common myths
Explaining how something works
Providing a list of helpful resources
Offering a helpful chart
In the Information Age, the best thing you can do is provide information.
With so many resources online, why should someone come back to you for information?
Perhaps your content has an enjoyable tone. Or maybe the content itself is packed full of information that’s easy to understand and implement into daily life.
Blog posts incentivize people to return to your website. People won’t peruse a gravel company’s website for fun unless they regularly post interesting information.
Maybe you’re a car detailer. Someone who knows nothing about cars will not understand the services you provide and why they should pay for them.
But if you explain your services in blog posts, they might think, “Oh, I probably do need to get my car waxed,” and then schedule an appointment with you.
Blog posts give you a chance to dive deep into your services. Putting every little detail on your service page will look cluttered, but a blog post will give you the freedom to say what you want to say.
Explain how routine yard maintenance can increase property value or how a TENS unit session can relieve anxiety. Can cleaning the gutters really improve curb appeal? Talk about it.
Blogs aren’t just for services.
Your handwoven tea towels have a story. Talk about the benefits of local honey. Why are PVC pipes better than copper?
You could talk about an entire section of products or narrow it down to one. Give your online customers a chance to experience the product before they buy it.
We looked at this previously as a way to attract new customers, but answering questions is enough of a reason to have a blog.
Blog posts allow you to clear up some things, like:
Company questions: Explain your processes, motives, or anything else people often ask about.
Products and services: Let people know how to order or schedule. You can also address cool product features, sales, and so much more.
Common problems: If you get many of the same questions, settle it once and for all in a blog post. You can link to it on social media when someone asks.
You're a person who puts a lot of time into your business, but it’s easy for people online to forget that it’s more than just a website. A blog is a place to show how much you care about what you do, even if you get someone else to write it.
A website with a regularly updated blog shows that your company is active and ready to chat. People enjoy that human connection.
If your blog posts have a personality—whether it be punchy, friendly, or even professional—they’ll develop a sense of who you are and what your company stands for. Many people choose companies they can relate to, and there’s no better way to build relatability than to talk about your company, services, or even yourself in a blog post.
Everyone knows the point of a business is to make money to survive. However, companies clearly run by people with passion have a leg up on giant corporations that have lost their human touch.
Your blog can be a great way to show that you care about your business, whether you sell products, provide services, or serve communities.
You’re probably not the only company selling artisan bread, installing irrigation systems, or providing healthcare services. So, how do you let people know you’re something special?
Blog posts can help. You can stand out by providing useful information or a unique personality that your competition lacks. If everyone is blogging helpful tips, consider tutorials instead.
Why do you need blog posts on your site? Blogs can:
Increase your visibility and find new customers
Show people how your products and services stand out
Answer questions people always ask about your company
Allow you to stand out among your competition
Blogging isn’t easy. You need to know what to say, how to say it, and how to get on the top of Google (and other search engines).
That’s where KB Freelance Writing comes in. You can order as many blog posts as you’d like and customize them to suit your company.
All posts are written by me, Kaleigh Brillon. I’ll work with you to ensure every blog post reflects your personality and goals so it looks authentically yours.
If you’re ready to start a blog or revive one that’s grown dusty, let’s chat! Contact me or head over to my Services page to learn more.
Want to learn more about what blog posts can do for you? Here are some answers to common questions.
A blog allows you to reach new audiences or inform current customers and clients. You can become a go-to source for information. Best of all, blog posts are easy to share on social media.
Blogging can impact your website’s success by increasing traffic, helping you rank higher on search engines, and encouraging people to spend more time on your website.
Blogging took off in the 2000s, and even though platforms like TikTok and Instagram are popular today, blogs are still a viable way to promote your business. You can include links on social media posts, and the blog posts will be there the next time someone has a question.
Blogs are still relevant today. People search their questions online, and blogs are typically how they find their answers.