Business blogging tips and news for professional bloggers

If the blog is for an existing business, then naming it isn't that important, but I'm starting to think the NAME of the blog (i.e. being catchy, really branding the message/content) is critical.

Even if you're doing a blog for an existing business, naming it might still be important.

Here's some things I'd do:

1. Focus on a few key topics to make sure your blog remains "on topic". I think this is one of my downfalls currently -- covering too many topics.

2. Plan a few posts out and get them ready for publication. Think about the order (maybe doing a "series").

3. Start commenting on other people's blogs, not just reading.

4. Put something in place to measure metrics (BlogBeat, Google Analytics, Mint, etc.)

5. Tell everyone you know about it. Start promoting it.

If you're not the boss of your business, and/or your boss wants you to write a blog for the company then I'd add a step at the beginning about "discussing posting policies" (i.e. what's appropriate, what's not, etc.)

What a great article! I loved this line: "Even if you don’t participate, you must listen to the blogosphere."

This is really vital, I think, to businesses today. Even if they don't have an "evangelist" who is really working to get a blog going for the company, it's important to remember that folks can, and will, be talking about one's products, customer service and so on. These days, they are doing it online as well as offline...bringing word-of-mouth to a whole new level!

I agree wholeheartedly, Easton, with your comment that dipping into the blogosphere with a trial blog is the way to go. My first blog was a personal one, on which I also discussed work matters in an attempt to get some PR going for that company. It was confusing not only to me, but to my readers and colleagues, and frankly, I didn't like how it delved into my private life (even the little bit that I choose to share on a blog). That's when I knew it was time to split the blog off, and they have actually tried to keep it going without me being there. I'm so glad, too, because had I kept mixing the two it wouldn't have been a "happy place" for me.

Small businesses should pay extra special attention to this whole concept: not just a separation of business and pleasure, but to getting used to the concepts and types of communication involved in a blog before making the leap. Customers, potential customers, and detractors will all be watching a business's blog...best to put your best foot, er, posts forward!

Great comments, Ben and Melonie. I'll need some time to digest them :).

Hi Easton, I enjoyed reading your tips for some time now and I decided to jump in and begin a blog to see if I would enjoy writing one. I was not used to writing "blog style." I've been reading blogs at Know More Media since Ellen Weber began blogging here. So I've been learning lots more about this amazing medium. Now, I'm beginning to enjoy it as I'm learning. Thanks for providing so many practical resources and helps here at BusinessBlogWire.

First: read blogs.
Second: start a trial blog.

Yes, just to get a feel I've done exactly the above.

Now for the serious blog ... after the subject has been decided on ...

Third: research a proper blog design.

I'm a web designer so I've been designing the layout in Photoshop. I'm now adjusting the look and feel as I read blogs known for giving good advice on where ads are to be placed, what elements make a popular blog, etc.

I also have a growing list of 'must have' WP plugins garnered from those in the know. And since I've made myself familiar with blogs, I know why they've been advised to put into use.

I'm also researching the subject matter to figure out what we'll offer in the nav, or in special sections, and which comes first, second, above or below the fold.

Fourth: create enough guts to start the blog out on a healthy standing right from the get go. This is attended by handy resources, articles, downloads, blog posts written weeks in advance with subjects decided for the next several months (all written up in a blogging business plan)

I am also taking courses on Adsense, and reading as many adsense and revenue blogs as I can find the time for.

Fifth: code a dedicated WordPress theme, fill it with the above and ...

Sixth: adjust for SEO

Seventh: launch, then run jumping around shouting, leaving comments on other blogs and forums, press releases, emails to friends and other bloggers, etc.

Eighth: the real work starts. To make posting daily easier, there are three of us who will share the load. Needed will be daily research for subject matter, a main guts poster (who is also in charge of marketing), and the third to head the advice column.

And as I'm a babe in the woods, there are sure to be areas I've left out.

How could I not write a new post incorporating y'all's ideas here? Thanks for the amazing comments.

Congrats Robyn on your fledgling blog efforts. Blogspot is a great testing ground - free, fast, easy, basic functionality - and I wish you success with that. Some people actually keep their Blogspot URL permanently - I think there's a definite advantage to having your own domain, but what really matters is the content you publish anyway.

Cat, thanks for the step-by-step walkthrough.