Good Marketing Pays for Itself
Good Marketing Pays for Itself
If you have a blog, it's likely that at some point in time, you’ve wondered if your blog is really worth it. After all, most blogs don't generate income and the ones that do can be difficult to manage with the time that they require. But just because your blog isn't generating an income doesn't mean there aren't benefits to one. Blogs are a great way to build traffic for other platforms (e.g., social media), establish authority as an expert in your field, and help establish relationships with potential customers or clients.
So, are blogs worth it? Yes. But, only if you're doing them right.
Here are a few things to keep in mind should you decide to start or continue blogging on your site:
Blogging for the Sake of Blogging is a Waste of Time
This isn't necessarily something that you do wrong as a blogger; rather it's something that happens as a result of blogging. There comes a time when blogging becomes second nature and you find yourself spending more time with your blog than on other marketing channels. If this happens to you, be sure that you've invested enough in the other marketing channels (e.g., email). Otherwise, you might find that your blog is doing all the work for you - for free!
Blogging is Marketing - Not Creative Writing
Some people see blogging as a creative outlet or as a way to share their knowledge or expertise. While this may be true, the reality is that blogging is still marketing. As a blogger, you are essentially building your credibility by providing valuable content to your audience, helping to build trust with potential customers and clients. If your blog isn't helping you market yourself in some capacity (surely, there has to be some mix of self-promotion), then it's probably just not worth it.
Blogging Isn't a Niche
Niche doesn't mean something is unique or different. Rather, niche indicates that something has a defined market and readers in that market can benefit from the information being shared. So, if your blog isn't directly related to your industry, then it's not worthwhile (e.g., something geared toward social media marketing instead of the business industry). If your blog isn't doing anything to further the needs of those within your niche, it's likely simply not worth it.
Don't Blog Just Because You Can
For some bloggers, blogging is simply an extension of their creative or writing abilities. And, while this may be true in some cases, it doesn't mean that blogs should be a priority when writing or publishing content. Blogging is an additional element of your marketing strategy and not the main strategy itself. If your content isn't valuable to anyone, then it's definitely not worth the time you spend blogging about it.
There are numerous elements to consider when determining if your blog is worth it. And, unfortunately for many businesses and marketers, there isn't a simple answer to this question that applies across the board. Ultimately, you have to decide if blogging is the right option for you and what return you expect from your investment (e.g., money or time).
Good vs Bad Blogger
So, which are you? Are you a good blogger or a bad blogger? It's certainly possible that you're both good and bad. But, finding out which one you are will help your business or marketing efforts ebb and flow in the right direction. If nothing else, the next time you find yourself struggling to determine if your blog is worth it, asking yourself this simple question might help:
Would other people pay to read what I'm writing?
If so, then chances are it's likely worth it!
Published by Web Marketing .net - Good vs Bad Blogger * Copyright © Web Marketing .net. All Rights Reserved.
Tagged with blog, blogger, content, cyberspace, helpful, marketing.
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About The Author: Mike Weber is an expert at helping businesses, small business owners, marketers and all types of businesses grow, engage and sell more products or services through effective online marketing. He specializes in social media marketing and has been helping his clients build an online presence via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest.
Mike has also been featured in publications such as: Forbes Magazine, the Huffington Post, Mashable, Entrepreneur Magazine and more. He is also a partner at Weber Marketing Group where he provides direct service to small business owners through consulting (tactical services) as well as general marketing services (strategy consulting). Mike's expertise includes building infrastructures for email lists/campaigns, lead generation strategy/automation/performance marketing functions.
Mike is also the founder of Social Media Examiner - a blog featuring social media tips and SEO tactics for small businesses and freelancers.