How will a blog help my company?
Blogging is conversation marketing. Blogs provide fresh, candid insights that inform, entertain, and spark buzz about your company. A blog connects you to your customers and potential customers in a way other marketing vehicles can’t.
Here are 6 important reasons your business should have a blog:
- Always open for business. Your blog is your company’s virtual storefront, open 24/7. People from all over the world can window shop and learn more about you.
- Makes you easy to find. If you don’t show up on Google, you don’t exist. But search engines love blogs; they index every blog post. That translates to a higher ranking for your company—over time—on Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
- Builds trust. Customers want to do business with people, not with companies or with brands. Your blog gives others the opportunity to interact with you, build a virtual relationship, and learn to trust you.
- Touches memory banks. It takes 8 to 10 “touches” before your company’s name lodges itself in someone’s long-term memory. Your blog allows you to touch people’s memory banks on an ongoing basis.
- Non-invasive. Unlike direct mail and advertising, blogs respect people’s privacy. People come to blogs because they choose to.
- Word-of-blog is the new word-of-mouth. People who visit your blog wield a great deal of influence and attract new customers by posting comments and linking to and from your blog.
Does anyone really read blogs?
Oh, yes. 57 million American adults read blogs and 12 million American adults write blogs.
Even more importantly, nearly 60 percent of people research online before purchasing a particular product.
Eighty-three percent of online Americans say they’ve used the Internet to find info about hobbies, and 55 percent look for “how-to” or “do-it-yourself” info. Much of that “how-to” info is found in blogs.
Why should I outsource my content writing to Blogging Bistro?
There are two keys to great online content:
- Excellent writing: A brain surgeon and a writer were having coffee one day when the brain surgeon announced she was taking a six-week sabbatical and would use it to write a book. The writer responded by saying that was an amazing coincidence. He was taking a six-week sabbatical as well and would use the time to become a brain surgeon. You get the point. Great writing is a craft. Since you want to turn visitors to your site into loyal customers, you need to have a skilled wordsmith writing your content. That content could include your website copy, blog, Facebook updates and Twitter tweets.
- Time: Do you have time to post fresh articles three times a week, every week? Will you have time to check your blog for comments, and respond to those comments?
We work closely with companies who don’t have the time or resources to write and publish all their own content. We help you:
- Strategize your online marketing goals
- Define your ideal target audience
- Brainstorm appropriate topics for your blog, Facebook, and Twitter updates
- Tell your story in a way that resonates with your audience
Who will write my online content?
Our professional writers are experts at researching topics from a consumer’s point-of-view and creating practical, entertaining blog posts, Facebook updates, and tweets. Most of our writers have at least a bachelor’s degree in English or Journalism.
If I outsource content writing to Blogging Bistro, am I required to make a long-term commitment?
We keep our fees reasonable to encourage almost any individual, non-profit, or business to launch a professional Internet presence.
We also understand that budget is a huge consideration for every business professional. While we prefer that people who outsource content writing to us contract for at least six months, we don’t require it. We’re happy to negotiate a month-to-month contract with you.
I prefer to write my own content but I need help. Can you train me?
We provide customized training for businesses — from executives to managers to staff. We will train you and/or your staff how to:
- Set up your social media accounts
- Write terrific content
- Efficiently manage your content
Can you create a professionally-designed website, blog, and Facebook Page for me?
Certainly. We work with some of the most talented graphic designers and developers in the business. If your project requires design and/or development, leave the legwork to us; we’ll put together a team of professionals who will provide you with the look and feel you want for your site.
Do you specialize in a particular website or blog platform?
We specialize in creating WordPress.org Web sites/blogs, but our graphic designers and developers are capable of working with many platforms.
Whether you need a new banner for the top of your site, a semi-custom makeover, or a top-of-the-line company website, our experts deliver.
Do you provide Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Yes. If we create a website or blog for you, we always implement search engine optimization components that will get your site discovered.
If you outsource your content writing to us, we optimize every article and marketing piece for search engines.
Expert, ongoing SEO analysis and reporting is available as an add-on service.
Facebook and Twitter are huge, but I’m not sure how they can benefit me. Help!
Don’t feel embarrassed. We hear that all the time. And yes, we can help. Whether that means starting from square one and creating your Facebook and Twitter accounts for you, or designing a snazzy Facebook Welcome page, or helping you write and post updates, we’re here for you.
How much do your services cost?
Our services are completely customized to meet your needs. Whether that means a 1-hour phone consultation, a new website, or ongoing blog management, we’ll provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate so you’ll know exactly what you’re going to get.
Our goal is to deliver more than what you ask for. You read that correctly — more than what you ask for. Just ask our satisfied customers. They’ll assure you it’s true.
Do you work with individuals, as well as businesses?
Absolutely. If you’re just getting started and have loads of questions, we will save you time and headaches by sharing tried-and-true social media techniques.
If you already have a blog, Facebook Page or other social accounts and need pointers about how to build your readership or troubleshoot particular problems, we can help.
Our consulting fees are negotiated on an individual basis, depending on your specific needs. Order your free, no-obligation estimate now.
Hey, Blogging Barista… How’d you get involved in the biz?
I love learning and teaching. Social media is evolving so fast that I’m never bored; I delight in helping others discover how to grow their Internet presence through social media marketing.
I’ve had a varied career. After graduating from Whitworth University (known as Whitworth College back in the dark ages when I attended) with a B.A. in English/Education and a minor in Journalism, I taught journalism and English in the trenches of the public education system. While simultaneously earning my master’s degree. (Because I have that degree in hand, I feel complete freedom to use sentence fragments.)
Some 11 years into that career, after our own kids came along, I unceremoniously “retired” from teaching and morphed into a freelance journalist (I’ve written three books, contributed chapters to two additional books, and written tons of magazine articles).
I’ve also done a stint as the public relations director at a fast-growing national franchise, blogged professionally, and have been writing my own award-winning blog (www.exploringadoptionblog.com) for longer than I care to admit.
I am still a teacher at heart; I love mentoring and instructing emerging writers, and I teach at writers’ conferences around the country.
Other stuff: I live with my hubby of 28 years and our two loveable teenage sons (yes, they truly are loveable!). I like to swim, snorkel, rollerblade, “camp” (in our 30-foot trailer), read with my sons, and watch DVDs of “classic” TV shows with them.
I’d love to get to know you!
Shoot me a message and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
