Effective blogging delivers a number of different returns on the investment given, and over different time periods.
Today, I was reminded of one of the simplest facts of truly consistent blogging – it delivers cash in the bank. Simple as that.
In the past, I’ve talked about some of the more subtle, longer-term benefits of maintaining a well-written, professional, informed and educational blog as a lynchpin within an overall content marketing strategy in Bristol.
These benefits should include:
* Thought leadership
By consistently getting your thoughts, unique ways of delivering in business, brilliant ideas and concepts in your commercial sector out there via your own blog, you’re paving the way to effective thought-leadership in your marketplace.
* Google Juice
By utilising the power of Natural Search, integrating keywords and popular search terms into your blogging content, your blog can be a powerful part of dominating your commercial niche online.
Google ‘proven social media consultant’ now and see what you find at No.1.
* Relationship-based marketing
A truly effective blog with a legacy of content helps to introduce you to new clients. I often find that by the time a potential client gets in front of me, they already know what to expect, having been through my blog. A good blog oils good business.
There is another return which is not talked about too often, but consistent blogging can – and should – deliver it. And it is? Cash. Cold, hard, cash straight into the bank. Or are you just blogging as a personal hobby? Thought not. Me neither.
* Blogging for cash benefits
I had an example today, which really got me thinking about the cash ROI of social media engagement.
A digital marketing agency in Bristol met me recently, having been perusing my extensive blog – I say extensive, as I’ve been blogging for myself and clients since 2005. Which, on paper, makes me the longest-established business blogger in Bristol.
That’s not an accolade I parade around, as I’m a firm believer in the fact that you’re only as good as the quality of the last paying client testimonial.
However, this digital marketing agency had checked and liked the blog. They called me in for an informal meeting, liking what they saw and heard in person. Why? Because it was consistent with what they had read on the blog.
From that meeting, we’ve confirmed the following project work:
* Delivering social media content for the agency itself
* Workshops and training for the internal agency staff
* Preparing a social media services offer for the agency
* Assisting with social media proposals to their client base
* Advising on client projects, such as SEO copywriting
* The potential to get the agency into bigger client doors
The immediate cash-based ROI of the blog, as confirmed today with a significant additional SEO copywriting project over-and-above the existing agreed consultancy, means that my blog has delivered a return of nearly £6K from that one agency alone.
From simply writing consistent, positive, useful and professional blog content regularly.
Is your blogging consistent? Is it delivering a number of returns to you? Or are you still writing a ‘flog blog’ and failing to secure trust, attention and sales?
