Broadcast Your Brand: How to Run a Kickass Business Blog
It is almost impossible for businesses to be successful with zero online presence nowadays. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you own; when your target audience wants a certain service, they will search for information about it online. If they don’t find you, they will turn to the competition.
So how do you get found in search results? Quite simply, you will need to produce high-quality content that gets your brand out there -- but you can’t suffocate your official website with too much content either. When a visitor lands on your homepage, they should get brief information about your business and a clear call to action. This is why your content should be in a special section of the site. In other words, you need a business blog.
How exactly do you start and maintain a great business blog? This article will share ten tips and strategies for running a high-impact blog that boosts your audience and gets your brand noticed.
How to Run a Kickass Business Blog
Your brand isn't what you say it is. It's what Google says it is.- Chris Anderson, former editor of Wired
Answer this question: who are you writing for?
That’s the starting point. When you understand your target audience, it will be easier for you to connect with them. Try to be very specific in this answer. Visualize your ideal customer persona and think:
- What questions and interests do they have?
- What problems do they face?
- How can you help?
Try to forget about making sales for a moment and focus on your audience. That brings us to the next step.
Remember: the blog is not for making sales
No one wants to read blog posts that repeat the same thing over and over again: “Get our product, it’s the best!”
The purpose of your blog is not making sales. Of course it will contribute towards that goal, but it has a whole other objective: attracting more visits to your website. Most people who read blog articles are there to get value, tips, and a message that will stick with them. They need to learn something new and improve the quality of their life.
The purpose of a business blog is to answer the questions your audience has. To make it clearer: you need to offer solid advice on issues related to your niche.
Create top-quality content
If you search Google for blogs in your industry, you’ll notice there are plenty of them. Why should the readers choose you? There is only one thing they are after: high-quality content.
Since you won’t use your blog to make direct sales, why should you bother to produce content of the highest quality? Think of it this way: the blog is not a business, but it’s the face of your business. This means that every single piece of content should be absolutely flawless.
Maintain a friendly tone
Many people mistake business blogging for corporate-style content. You’ll need to get rid of that approach. You should not use fancy language, and you should abandon the industry slang. Remember: you’re reaching out to a wide audience. Count on the fact that not all readers will understand the slang.
You should show some personality. Remember that customer persona you created when you started the blog? Address them directly! When the reader interacts with that content, they should get the impression that it was written for them.
Share your personal journey
The content on your business blog will revolve around answering the questions of your audience and suggesting solutions that will improve the quality of their lives. However, you shouldn’t limit the blog to that.
Remember: blogging gives you a chance to showcase the personality of your brand. For example, you can share your personal adventure towards leadership as a result of following your educational path. You can also give insights into the company’s culture and feature interviews with notable employees.
Passive voice? Just don’t!
The debate over the passive voice is never-ending. Yes, it’s part of English grammar. No, there’s nothing wrong with passive-voice sentences from a grammatical point of view. From a reader’s angle, however, there are plenty of problems with the passive voice. Here's an example:
- If any help with pool cleaning is needed, drop us an email and it will be answered.
Do you see the problem with that sentence? Who needs help with pool cleaning? Who will answer the email? Can it answer itself? Yup, that sounded confusing, just like the passive tone used in the sentence.
- If you need help with pool cleaning, drop us an email and we’ll answer it right away.
Doesn't that sound better? Don’t use the passive voice unless it’s absolutely necessary!
Make the content easy to read
Imagine how this article would look if it were written in loooong paragraphs, with no list involved? Imagine the same content in an huge chunk of text. Neither of those would be all that appealing to read, would they? To enhance the readability of your blog posts, you should use:
- Short and clear sentences
- Short paragraphs
- Lists and bullet points
- Images that convey your point
That’s the secret recipe to success in business blogging.
Use visual content
An image is worth a thousand words. That’s a cliché statement, but it’s true, especially when it comes to blogging. You’re sharing reviews of your products? Feature original images and before-and-after results. You’re giving tips your readers can implement in their daily lives? Find photos that convey your point, so the reader can take a mini-breather in between reading.
If you can feature original images and videos, your content will make an impression for its uniqueness. That can result in more engagement.
Seduce the audience with good headlines
Consider these two headlines:
- How to Maintain Your Pool During Winter
- Oh No! It’s Winter! How Will Your Pool Survive? 10 Tips for Simple Maintenance
The first headline is informative, but there’s not much more to it. The second headline, on the other hand, is also informative, but way more intriguing. It’s more unique and funnier, and it’s the one you’ll probably click on.
Come up with catchy headlines! The reader should immediately get the point, but the title should also have that extra factor of appeal. Top lists work well, since they tell the reader what they can expect.
Promote it!
Since you already have a business, you understand the fact that every product needs promotion. Consider your blog as another one of your products. Here are some tips for promoting it:
- Invite the visitors to join an email list, so they will get informed whenever a useful article goes online.
- Share links on all social media channels. Don’t forget to pin the images on Pinterest!
- Invite people to comment, like, and share.
- Invite guest bloggers, who will contribute with free content in return for a link featured in the post.
- Write guest posts on popular blogs and include a link to your blog in the bio.
Maintaining a successful business blog is not an easy endeavor. However, it’s necessary if you want to harness the full marketing potential of the Internet. Follow these tips above to help you develop a blog that creates conversion and takes your business to the next level.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.