In Dublin’s fair city…
Business blogging has really taken off in recent years as a great way to grow your customer base, get clients involved with your brand and ultimately, help to generate more income.
However…
Many businesses set up a blog and keep posting for a few weeks or months and then, all of a sudden, their last blog post is dated 2010. Business blogs have a lot of potential but the secret, my friends, is this – YOU’VE GOT TO BLOG!
Having set up my own creative writing blog almost two years ago, I made a commitment to blog every week and – I did. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve missed posting and when I do, I either post twice the following week, or try to post at another time when I miss my ‘designated day’. Yes, I blog once a week, every week about creative writing (at clairesavagewriting.wordpress.com) and I do it on the same day of the week. This used to be every Wednesday, but now I find that Sunday evenings work better.
At the Irish Bloggers’ Conference, a packed room awaits.
The point is, you have to be consistent. People need to know when and where they can find you and when they do, you’ve got to have something for them to read. Oh, and it’s really best if that content is interesting…
Blogging for businesses is something I offer as a professional service, as it takes a real commitment of both time and effort, and busy business people often just don’t have that time to spare. A blog is an ideal way to connect with your customers informally – giving something back to them and not just trying to sell your wares. In fact, it’s better if you don’t ever try to sell on your blog, unless you have a very special and occasional offer or competition. It puts people off.
Free make-up kits for the IBC bloggers!
As a blogger myself, when I heard about the first Irish Bloggers’ Conference (IBC) at the Spencer Hotel in Dublin last week, I decided to hop on the train and meet and mingle with some fellow bloggers. I was interested to hear what other bloggers’ experiences were and what the really successful bloggers advised in making your blog brilliant.
My key findings? Well, to be honest, if you blog and are already doing this consistently, then these tips won’t be a real revelation, but they’re useful reminders all the same:
Free chocolate & vanilla-cream cupcakes for the IBC bloggers!
We heard from food blogger/journalist/broadcaster, Caroline Hennessy about how it’s best to create your own niche and not to copy anyone else. Fashion and beauty blogger, Joanne Larby, also shared her story of blogging success, telling us about how she went from fitting it in around her teaching job, before it took off and she found herself doing modelling, getting sent a LOT of beauty freebies and generally not having a second to spare. Meanwhile, digital guru, Conor Lynch, spoke about knowing your audience, checking your Klout score (this shows how active you are on social media) and how you might make a living from your blog.
Yes, some people make a living from their blogs.
I say ‘some’, because obviously it takes a lot of hard work and dedication (and often, just a bit of luck), so many people don’t go the distance, but it can be done. When it comes to businesses who are already making a living the old-fashioned way, however, blogging can boost their brand and introduce them to a whole new audience of dedicated followers.
Organised by Emma O’Farrell, the IBC was the first, but no doubt not the last, big blogging event in Ireland. With input from teenage blogger, Rachel Farrell, as well as Sue Jordan, Ali Ryan and Keith Mahon, amongst others, everyone said pretty much the same thing: If you want to blog – blog. But be consistent, original and interesting.
Emer Ryan of BlazerBlue
Bewley’s on Grafton Street
As for myself? Well, I had a great wee day out in Dublin, chatting to lovely bloggers such as Emer Ryan (pictured) of the BlazerBlue blog, as well as making a visit (of course!) to the wonderful Bewley’s on Grafton Street for some great coffee. It was here, amid the buzz of breakfast conversations that I, quite randomly, got talking to an American head-hunter who just happens to specialise in teaching about business leadership and emotional intelligence. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ll know that this is exactly what I’m currently studying as part of a Honeycomb-funded Masters module at the University of Ulster in Coleraine!
A tall ship spotted en route from the Spencer Hotel to Connolly Station!
With wonderful weather, a suitable festive atmosphere and the IBC bringing bloggers together to reflect and connect in the ‘real world’, it was definitely an interesting day out 🙂
PS One more tip bloggers – Brief may mostly be best for blogs, but if you have engaging content, and a receptive audience, don’t be afraid to write a bit more…