Why Blog? – Reason #1: Content is King
Any business that has tried to optimize its website or beef up its visibility online has heard the phrase over and over… “Content is King.”
If Content is King, a Blog is the King’s Most Loyal Servant.
A well-built blog:
- Publishes your content at a moment’s notice. In fact, a blog makes it so easy to publish content online that the only thing stopping you…is you! Gone are the days of blaming technology or your web developer for your stagnant content. A blog moves at the pace of your brilliance, your ideas and your ingenuity. Blogs literally scoff at the old days—where site updates were burdensome and not worth the pain.
- Alerts the world of your latest news. Each time you add new content, your blog syndicates your news through a powerful automated tool called RSS: Really Simple Syndication. RSS allows others to “watch” your content in a reading tool of their choice, such as Google Reader. Rather than check over and over for new content, readers can use RSS to be notified when you post something new. More about RSS in Plain English
- Shines up your keywords for Google. With every post, every subhead and every paragraph, a blog builds a little red carpet for your keywords to strut their stuff. A technical word to the wise: blogs built on the WordPress.org platform are best for keyword optimization. When you’re ready to “go pro” with your business blog, be sure your developer knows his stuff.
- Showcases whatever format you bring. The more diverse your content, the better. Whether you’ve got videos, audio, images, photographs or podcasts, a blog makes it easy to showcase all your content in a snap. Uploading is a cinch. Descriptions are a breeze. Usability is a piece o’ cake.
Deana Goldasich
Deana Goldasich, CEO and founder of Well Planned Web, plans and implements Content Marketing to help clients nurture leads, market their expertise and create an impactful presence online.
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Is the area of creating content – what are your thoughts on the subject of repurposed material vs. original as it relates to the end user? Do you think it matters? Do you think the end user participates with one more than the other?
Thank you for the post and look forward to your thoughts –
Hi Mike! Thanks for your great question!
I assume you mean repurposed content that YOU created (as a opposed to plagiarizing someone else's). In that case, repurposed material is still content–so by all means use it! I often encourage clients just starting out with their blogs to review “old” content, such as white papers, faqs, etc. to glean out some potential posts or series. After all, it's brainwork that's already been done–why waste it! To increase the potential for reader participation, I think it's critical to review that content with a fresh eye…make sure it's tweaked to make for easy reading, etc.
Did you have some specific content you were considering? I'm happy to give me three cents!
Great post Deana, succinct and well written! I look forward to the rest of the series!
Not trying to barge in on Deana's blog here, but repurposing blog content is wise and easy….I do it a lot in order to make it more relevant to be tweeted again, etc. I simply look for other blogs and articles discussing the same topic, and I edit my original post with an “*Update – ” and include a new link to current/new/relevant content by others there. This is good practice for many different reasons!
You're not barging in here, James — that's great advice! Indeed, links to relevant and related content elsewhere online is incredibly important and valuable. Bottom line is: if you point your reader to helpful content–whether it's yours or someone else's–you earn their trust and respect.
@goldasich http://noteasytoforget.com/2009/12/are-y… is a post I wrote about the value of commenting…some cool links there.
Deana
Thank you for taking the time to answer. My question is more along the lines of taking content from curators and reusing it with your specific audience.
I agree with you and James in the sense of repurposing your own content, it's where groups elect to do it with third party material that I develop questions. I also ponder the idea of purchasing content vs. creating your own. Not that I think there is a right or wrong answer – I am just curious to hear others thoughts.
Hi Mike! Indeed, that is a very different question/topic. Generally, purchasing content for a blog is not a good idea. Your visitors expect content that is newsworthy and relevant–both of which may be true with purchased content. However, the real value comes in with content that shows *your* expertise, *your* intelligence and *your* spin on a topic or idea. Third party content just can't achieve that. Over time, the value of your site and your content becomes dilluted. Also, if the content is not unique, it may be displayed elsewhere on the web. In Google's eyes, that's considered “duplicate” content and less valuable in their eyes. The more unique the content, the better.
@goldasich Thanks! Poll Daddy incorporates well into WP Deana, are you using it?
Deana,
Thank you for the feedback – look forward to future content and discussion.
Have a great Saturday.
M
Deana
Is the area of creating content – what are your thoughts on the subject of repurposed material vs. original as it relates to the end user? Do you think it matters? Do you think the end user participates with one more than the other?
Thank you for the post and look forward to your thoughts –
Hi Mike! Thanks for your great question!
I assume you mean repurposed content that YOU created (as a opposed to plagiarizing someone else's). In that case, repurposed material is still content–so by all means use it! I often encourage clients just starting out with their blogs to review “old” content, such as white papers, faqs, etc. to glean out some potential posts or series. After all, it's brainwork that's already been done–why waste it! To increase the potential for reader participation, I think it's critical to review that content with a fresh eye…make sure it's tweaked to make for easy reading, etc.
Did you have some specific content you were considering? I'm happy to give me three cents!
Great post Deana, succinct and well written! I look forward to the rest of the series!
Not trying to barge in on Deana's blog here, but repurposing blog content is wise and easy….I do it a lot in order to make it more relevant to be tweeted again, etc. I simply look for other blogs and articles discussing the same topic, and I edit my original post with an “*Update – ” and include a new link to current/new/relevant content by others there. This is good practice for many different reasons!
Thanks @HelloNorthGA @NotEasyToForget for the RT of “If Content is King, a Blog is the King’s Most Loyal Servant” – http://ow.ly/14BzT
You're not barging in here, James — that's great advice! Indeed, links to relevant and related content elsewhere online is incredibly important and valuable. Bottom line is: if you point your reader to helpful content–whether it's yours or someone else's–you earn their trust and respect.
Deana
Thank you for taking the time to answer. My question is more along the lines of taking content from curators and reusing it with your specific audience.
I agree with you and James in the sense of repurposing your own content, it's where groups elect to do it with third party material that I develop questions. I also ponder the idea of purchasing content vs. creating your own. Not that I think there is a right or wrong answer – I am just curious to hear others thoughts.
Hi Mike! Indeed, that is a very different question/topic. Generally, purchasing content for a blog is not a good idea. Your visitors expect content that is newsworthy and relevant–both of which may be true with purchased content. However, the real value comes in with content that shows *your* expertise, *your* intelligence and *your* spin on a topic or idea. Third party content just can't achieve that. Over time, the value of your site and your content becomes dilluted. Also, if the content is not unique, it may be displayed elsewhere on the web. In Google's eyes, that's considered “duplicate” content and less valuable in their eyes. The more unique the content, the better.
@NotEasyToForget Great links, indeed! Love the Poll on what we should write more about. I voted 🙂
Deana,
Thank you for the feedback – look forward to future content and discussion.
Have a great Saturday.
M
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@goldasich you’re welcome!
Thanks so much, Megan! RT @McCreadyM: Great post on blogging: Content is King. Thanks to @goldasich https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/02/wh…