Now that we’ve gone through the basics of incorporating a blog strategy into your content marketing, let’s get into some essential tips for getting started with writing effective blog posts for business.

1. Don’t just try to sell something

Another big “don’t” when it comes to writing blogs for business should be pretty obvious: don’t just try to sell something. Your readers should not feel as though your blog is a ploy to get them to buy something. In fact, they’re likely trying to avoid being lured into a sale if they’re headed to an article to answer their question as opposed to a product or service landing page. By instead focusing on answering their questions, you will leave them with a better association with your brand in the long run (which may actually encourage them to buy from you over other businesses down the line).

2. Don’t just talk about you

When you start blogging for business, one of the number one things to avoid is only talking about your brand. People are typically off-put by content that is clearly written for the benefit of a company, and would much prefer to read content that is written in their best interest. Put yourself in the readers’ shoes, and provide valuable content according to their needs. Your blog’s success and brand as a whole will be better off for it.

3. Do try to connect with your reader

People are more likely to support brands they feel connected to, and using your blog is one of the best ways to connect with your audience. When you go to write your copy, aim to “speak” directly with your readers. Blogs are meant to be informative and easy to read, so don’t get too stressed with sounding overly professional. Keep the tone conversational and light, but be direct when it comes to answering the questions your audience has.

4. Do offer valuable content

If we haven’t stressed this enough by now, your business’ blog posts should be genuinely helpful for your audience. Readers should always come away from your blog with something that helps them out. This way they’ll grow trust with your brand, reference you as a solid resource, and be likely to give you business when they’re in need of what you have to offer.

5. Do use a content calendar

While not required, there’s no denying that content calendars lay the foundation for a successful and sustainable blog strategy. Without a consistent content calendar as your blueprint, your blog posts will likely lose momentum over time. Consistency is key when it comes to crafting a blog strategy that grows successful over time. When you use a content calendar, it’s much easier to stay on top of deadlines, achieve goals, and post consistently.