If you’re running a shop local campaign without a blog you’re missing an opportunity to reach more people. Here are a number of other benefits blogging can do for your buy local program. Isn’t it time you start one?
What a Blog Can Do
Good blogs generally improve SEO and drive traffic to your website. Assuming web visitors have something to do once they get there, dedicating the resources to a blog can pay off exponentially. In addition to driving traffic they can:
Tell Your Story and Those of Local Merchants’
Blogs often have a lot more personality and insight into your work than the traditional copy on your website. Blogs are the place where you can show readers who you are, not just what you do. They serve as the basis of a connection as you tell, and retell, your story through examples.
However, don’t assume your story is the only one worth telling. Help shoppers fall in love with local merchants through spotlights and telling their stories as well.
Educate, Inspire, Entertain
Every blog post for business should do one of the above. Your blog can be a resource, a place people come to be entertained, or a site that makes people feel as if they could conquer the world. In the case of a shop local blog, if you chose to inspire you might serve as a resource for entrepreneurship and helping people attain their dreams, or you might make visitors feel great about your community. Whatever you select, make sure it does one of those three at all times.
Answer Questions
People have relatively short attention spans so adding additional information to your web copy doesn’t always work. If you have content, like answers to your audience’s questions, that doesn’t fit in your web copy create a blog post out of it.
Showcase Your Authority
In a shop local campaign, you want help getting the word out. If you use your blog to establish yourself on the shop local movement in your community, people will come to you. If people come to you, they’ll share your organization’s information and everyone benefits.
A business blog is a great way to connect with your audience. Are you using one for your shop local program?
