Although blogging is a great marketing tool, it’s not the reason I blog, it just happens to be an amazing benefit. I’ve been blogging for almost 10 years yet I don’t ever think of myself as a blogger. Blogging is really just me writing and since I now do it online, instead of saying “I write”, I say, “I blog”. In college I used to blog daily on Xanga.com. I wrote about my adventures, school, work and things I did and experienced day to day. Before blogging I used to journal. My parents had me journal as a kid to practice writing. I remember keeping a notebook and journaling as far back as kindergarten maybe even pre-school! (Even then I was an early adopter )

Now I write to educate other, share my adventures and inspire both myself and my readers. I started my current website and blog, Marketing Melodie in March of 2008 (I can’t believe it’s been almost 4 years). When I started it, I was working for a large media company doing sales and marketing. I created the site to be a resource for clients and to educate myself. It’s since evolved into the marketing company I run today specializing in digital technology and social media.

Whether it’s for your business (especially if it’s for your business) or personal I highly recommend everyone have a blog. I hear the excuse from so many people “But no one is going to read my blog”. So what if no one reads what you write? Write for YOU, write like no one is reading and don’t be afraid to put your thoughts down in a tangible place. By doing this you’ll receive so many benefits. So I present you with 4 Reasons to Blog Even if No One Reads Your Blog. 

1. SEO- The first reason is just practical so let’s start with that. Even if a single soul doesn’t read your blog, updating your site with fresh, new content (this is especially important if it’s a business blog on your website) will significantly improve your SEO. Search engines pick up on fresh, new content and place a higher value on sites that have been recently updated versus stagnant sites that have been sitting around for months or years. Within each blog post you can create links with keywords directing readers to other areas of your site. I won’t get too technical here, but just know that blogging will improve your SEO.
2. Blogging teaches you- I learn something new every day and much of it is attributed to writing. I find that writing stuff down often teaches me how to be more clear and concise with the thoughts I have racing through my mind. Because I’m able to clarify my thoughts, Ican see things in a different perspective which in turn teaches me more about the very topic I’m blogging about.
3. Blogging is cathartic- Sometimes you just need to get things off your chest. During these times, it can also difficult to say these things out loud. Well blogging is a great way to release any emotions you have stored up.  Not all blogs need to be public. If you write something but don’t yet feel ready to share it, there’s no shame in that. But at least you put it out into the world so it’s no longer just stored inside you. Putting things out there is also a great step in being able to let things go.
4. Reflection- I just read a bunch of blog posts I wrote back in 2008. Wow it’s really amazing to be able to read the YOU from 4 years ago. Reading old posts really allows me to reflect on things I’ve done in the past but also appreciate the present moment. It brings into perspective even more of how everything that’s happened so far has led me to where I am today. I do find it amusing though because reading back on some of the stuff I wrote the thought “Are you kidding me? I actually said that?!” does tend to pop up a lot. Live and learn. Live and learn.

As you can see, writing, blogging, whatever you want to call it has helped me in so many ways. Please feel free to share with me other reason you blog. I leave you with a quote from a famous writer that really inspired me:

 “And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.  The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt”.  ~Sylvia Plath

I’ve compiled a list of 6 things you can easily do that require little or no additional effort and money.

1. 1. Wear your business- Easy way to promote while being active. If you’re participating in leisure activities such as a sports league, an adventure club or even a social club wear something such as a t-shirt with your company logo, website or a slogan that may spark the question “What does your shirt mean?” Then when someone inquires about your logo/slogan you can give a brief plug about your business. Great conversation starter!

2. 2. Put Your Logo & Contact Info on Every Outgoing Piece of Paper and Electronic Document- People like convenience and this makes it so much easier to be at your consumer’s fingertips. They can reach out to you immediately after seeing a promotional product that reminds them of you because they don’t have to go look anything up. Make sure your thank you cards, emails, any promotional products, brochures, paper documents, etc. all have your logo and a way to contact you, even if it’s just a website.

3. 3. Put Tips on Business Cards -You can imagine how many business cards I receive from all of the networking I do. Make yours stand out by placing some useful tips on the back. For example many people have PDAs that don’t have the letter keypad it’s hard to identify a number such as 1-800-CALL-NOW. Having a business card with the letters on the phone pad would come in handy. Common phone numbers and websites are also good tips. I’ve even received a business card and on the back they listed how to figure out your blood alcohol level depending on your weight and the number of drinks you’ve had. Figure out some useful tips that may correspond with your business and put them on the back!

4. 4. Social Networking- Most social networking sites are free! What a great way to promote to thousands of people in a space where they already belong. Get your company on as many sites as possible because in this day and age you really need to reach out to your consumer. Don’t wait for them to seek you out. Remember, convenience is a huge factor in consumer’s buying decisions. Currently every single business needs a website. Sooner than later every single business will need a Myspace, Facebook, etc.

5.5. Cross promotion- Identify other businesses that target your same demographic and develop promotions that benefit both parties. For example, give a discount for your business if they purchase something for the other business. Create a giveaway that involves products/ services from both businesses. You can also place each other’s information on your website and in your store.

6. 6. Create an Interactive Blog- Pose questions on your blog and ask readers to answer them by offering an incentive. For example, everyone who answers your question will be entered to win, Free advertising on your website for one month, a gift card, products/services from your business, etc. The more you engage your reader, the more likely they’ll be to return to your blog.