I may be a little biased, but blogging is just plain awesome. The blogosphere is a pretty crowded place, but it’s given me amazing opportunities and valuable connections. It has helped me meet like-minded people that I never would have encountered otherwise. As a college student, blogging has taught me things about social media, marketing and advertising that I never could have learned in a classroom. While blogging is great to help define your personal brand, it’s also a great marketing tool to apply to your business as well. Here are my top three reasons why you should have a blog (if you don’t already):

Blogging Creates Original Content

When it comes to social media, content is king. The best way to build a solid following and really engage with potential customers is to create good content. Post things that are relevant and true to your brand. Don’t worry about every topic being completely innovative. The internet is oversaturated with content, so it’s important that the unique voice of your brand really shines through. Evergreen content is great, but make sure you’re keeping up with what’s new in your industry as well. Breaking news is typically the most shared/liked/favorited.

Establishes Knowledge

If you’re a small business trying to compete with larger, established brands, creating a blog with original content is a great way to prove to potential customers that you know your stuff. Posting engaging, relevant content (again, content is king!) will earn your brand credibility. When you share your content on social media, you’ll reach a whole new audience and gain respect from influencers in whatever field you’re blogging about.

Allows For Discussion

One of my favorite parts of blogging is the mutual exchange of information. Getting to interact with readers and discuss ideas is invaluable insight. If you’re a personal blogger, it’s a great way to make new connections and expand your network. If you’re blogging for a business, you can really delve into what your customers want. Blogs are typically seen as a more causal source of news, so it can also make your brand seem more approachable.

Another great reason to start a blog: they’re inexpensive! While more extensive designs will set you back a bit, setting up a blog with a basic design is usually free. There are tons of blogging platforms to choose from now, and most are very easy to learn. Blogs just may be the greatest marketing tool ever. Again, I’m a little biased.

What’s your opinion on blogging? Do you have a company and/or personal blog? Leave a link in a comment for us and we’ll check it out!