Blogger for Hire, Explained

I recently got an email from a blog reader:

I was just reading this part on your blog [about blogging for hire] and I would love to hear more in regards to what thoughts you have on what you could do for a company.

Here was my response:

In regards to what I could do for a company, let me describe how I believe blogging helps market a
brand, and how I would approach blogging for you.

The most basic way a blog helps market a brand is accessibility or "discoverability".  This means a number of things.  Search engines LOVE blogs, mostly because they are updated frequently, and as such, blogs often are ranked higher in search engine results.  The better your search engine ranking, the more easily your audience can find you.  The more often you post to your blog, the higher your search engine ranking, the more visitors you'll get.  Which puts you, and your brand, in front of your audience more often.

People can subscribe to an RSS/XML feed for your blog, which will automatically notify them when we make a new post, driving more traffic to your site.  Plus, once they get there, it's easy for them to share the link with their friends via email, message boards, and mailing lists.  This makes your marketing viral.

Due to the casual nature of the writing, blogging allows for conversations/feedback with and from your audience, which builds your brand as approachable and receptive.

Blogging is the best way to update/provide information quickly, allowing you notify your audience of 'late-breaking' news or share your thoughts on current events in the industry.

[I have posted more reasons how blogs benefit businesses on my Scrapbook Marketing blog]

In regards to how I would approach blogging for you --

I would suggest posting 1-2 blog entries a week; this keeps you and your brand in front of your audience at a consistent rate, and leads them to start expecting entries.

I would touch base with you at least once a week, to get information on happenings in your life and company, to provide content for the posts.  You would be welcome to give me topics you'd like me to write about, and I would also 'pitch' you on suitable topics.  I could provide you with the blog content for review before posting it to the general public.

Most companies face several challenges in regards to blogging. Simply having the time to blog is the biggest challenge.  Many companies have a blog, but it isn't updated frequently, which defeats the purpose of a blog as a marketing tool.  The other challenge is that most companies have a hard time finding the right tone of conversation for their blog.  Blogs are not formal PR communication; the writing is more casual, to attract the type of audience that reads blogs.  That's why many companies hire someone else to do it.

I am an excellent choice for a "pro-blogger" because I already understand blogging -- how to blog, why to blog, and what to blog about.  (Plus, I'm a very good writer!)  I also already know and understand the scrapbooking industry, both as a consumer/hobbyist, and as a professional. 

I also would bring with me a ready-made audience -- I have an established readership for my three blogs, and a newsletter subscriber base of 6000+.  I could announce that I would be blogging for you, and direct readers to check out the blog by providing a link.  I could include that link in each of my newsletters, as well as linking to specific blog entries as appropriate.
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So that's my pitch (with a few edits).  If anyone out there is interested in my blogging for their company, please do let me know.  I'd love to chat with your about the possibilities.

Comments

[ME Strauss]

I came over to check the link as I put your real logo on the newly moved version of Successful Blog.

I was stopped by the title of your post and had to read the whole thing. That is one of the best pieces on the subject I've read in a long time. Your arguments are compelling. No wonder you have so many readers.

If you don't mind, I'd like to feature this article on Successful Blog.

Liz
Successful Blog

[thebizofknowledge]

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. As an avid blogger myself and one fully appreciates the power of blogging, I think you did a marvelous job of explaining the significance and implications of blogs in online searches.

[Angie Pedersen]

Thanks so much, Liz and Bill! I appreciate your comments and praise!