Commit to fresh, engaging content
A business blog help builds community and credibility among customers and prospects and strengthens your digital brand. What you blog about and who you blog for depends on your communications goals.
Business blogs demonstrate thought-leadership (International Data Corp’s IDC eXchange), share information that enhances the customer experience (the official Google blog and Whole Foods Blog), raise awareness about an issue (Next100 blog by Pacific Gas and Electric). There are literally hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of corporate blogs written for customers, partners, employees, investors, and other stakeholders.
Successful blogs have two things in common: They’re engaging and they follow a regular posting schedule. RSS subscriber feeds, email subscription, and website and social media links may help grow your subscriber base, but only if your blog posts are fresh and relevant.
Many blogs launch with great gusto, only to run out of steam. Others never see the light of day because the executives or employees assigned to write it secretly hate (or fear) writing or they’re just too busy with their “real” jobs.
The blog services below will help your company establish and/or improve the content and consistency of your business blog — the essential ingredients of a successful business blog.
These services are available as a package or a la carte. The required, one-time consultation service will help us differentiate your blog from others in your industry, define a clear topic and a concise editorial mission, and plan the subjects of your posts well in advance.
For help with the technical aspects of blogging, see below. I’ve formed a strategic partnership with ComBridges, a top Internet marketing firm that offers blog design, customization, and configuration services.
Blog coach
One-time phone consultation
Defining the overall blog topic and planning the subjects of your posts is integral to the success of your business blog. Together we’ll identify specifics topics relevant to your industry, brand, and customers. Then I’ll work with you to create an editorial calendar of subjects (posts) for your blog.
During this phone consultation we will:
- Define objectives for your blog
- Define competitive environment
- Create a “Top Five” list of blogs in your marketplace and some of their editorial/content pros and cons
- Identify three potential topics for your blog that will engage customers and differentiate your blog from the competition
- Define four initial potential subjects (posts) for each topic
- Based on this information, select best blog topic
Following our conversation, you’ll receive:
- Content analysis of competitive blogs
- A mission statement for your blog that supports your branding and marketing efforts
- Three-month editorial calendar — a schedule of posts and subjects, to be approved by you
$800 for consultation and deliverables
Weekly check-in (15-20 minutes)
Brief weekly check-ins by phone or email will keep you on track and your blog posts timely and fresh. I’ll help overcome writers block, fine-tune the structure of your posts, and find solutions to any other issues that could hinder the success of your blog.
$150 per month
Blog editor
I will edit and proof-read your blog prior to posting, keeping in mind the editorial mission of your blog.
$125 per post (500-word limit)
Social media integration
Your blog should be the hub of your social media marketing program. Integrating your blog will other social media sites is a good way to increase blog readership, friends and followers.
I’ll write teaser links for your Twitter, Facebook and other social media accounts. You can post them to help drive people to your blog and generate comments to your blog and on your other social media pages.
$25 per link
Blog design, customization and configuration
Looking for help with the technology behind your blog? ComBridges, a leading Internet marketing firm, works with Credible Communications’ clients on blog customization, configuration and integration with your website. Contact Lee for details.
