Why should you jump into the sea of blogging?

Whats kept your business from blogging? Same things that've kept many from doing it? Let me take a stab a a few reasons and see if we can't get your gears turning. Picking a topic might be easier than you ever thought.

You've been on google and seen its a cluttered sea of people who are full of opinions, random topics and "the best advice ever". The topics, stories and information come in from so many angles you need a protractor to get back to it's origin and its left you frustrated. And that's got you wondering how can I ever get a piece of this pie? How can I make sense and make people like me and my writing style!? How the heck will I find topics every week relating to my industry??!!

Here's my answer to that...like the old sales motto goes, "you'll never get the order unless you ask for it". In this case you'll never get any followers if you don't try. Maybe you're also afraid to toss something out there for fear of the critiques, afraid it'll be too short, you can't find a topic related to your business and don't want to come out with a flop! Fear not, you're not alone.

Maybe I stuck a cord with my reasons above maybe not. Regardless of the real reasons you've shied away, you should look at what you're leaving on the table by not. After all, you're reading this...so why wouldn't someone read yours?

One of the greatest things I've learned from reading other blogs is the topic doesn't always have to be an exact match for your industry. Each posting won't be the next greatest idea ever. Nor do they need to be 4000 word documents ready for binding and publish. In fact, they shouldn't be, hear me out.

I love chocolate chip cookies but I don't always want the same thing day after day for fear of being burnt out and getting bored. But I do have my favorite go to cookie maker. Sometimes I'm really looking forward to a cookie but I'm not feeling the same old same old. We all need something different and a little out of the norm once in a while. When I have those moments I'm looking forward to is that trusted and familiar style of cookie but with a flavor twist. Think of you and your followers like me and my cookies. There's a bond there, security if you will, I like a style, a design a process in them. In the blogs case it'll be the personality and the wording you put in that people gravitate towards. If I like your style I'm going to sample everything you offer up. If my favorite cookie maker only made chocolate chip I might accidentally wonder away out of boredom. Keep your content fresh, exciting and different. People will relate to people they like. Be yourself and let the ideas flow. I'm not saying not to revise and proof your work but don't limit yourself.

It's become a way for businesses and people alike to kick start ideas, increase exposure and expand on those "crazy" thoughts scrambled up in their head almost anywhere they have technology. Whats better than the instant ability to connect with followers and new blog searchers? Blogging won't cost you a dime. I don't care who you are or what your industry is, the bottom line is always the bottom line. Blogging is a way to increase that without a financial start up investment. That right there should be reason enough to try.

Just like it says in my first paragraph we know blogs are a dime a dozen. But don't let that stop you. Your customers, my customers are out there on the internet every hour of every day. I'm certainly not the first person to throw the idea out there to "be yourself and speak your mind", but I do believe in this philosophy. Enough so that I chose to write about it. I'm no professional writer nor do I play one on TV but I have the desire to expose the business and push the boundaries.

At Louderback, an Atlas Van Lines partner, we're a logistics company that's all about efficiency, placement and communication. We match up the right people, equipment and systems and back that up with constant yet calculated communication. Like our day to day operations blogging placement and exposure is key. Want someone to listen to you - then you have to take that step and post. Once you have join forums, email contacts and talk about your blog!

In a nut shell, heres what you need to remeber:

Step one is to make the decision and say yes. Think, type and say it! I'm going to be brave and I'm going to start my blog.

Step two is find that comfortable opening article. Something you know a lot about, or are able to speak passionately about. Do remeber you want people to like it so they read it and share it. there needs to be some value there. Just because it's not your favorite topic doesn't mean its not worth it. Often you're not like the key audience your work is focused around but you can be the key messenger.

Step three is to keep up on it. As you blog the topics will begin to come to you. Some will be SPOT on to your clientel, indistry and target audiance. Some will be expoloritoy and fun. Keep the balance and keep the flow.

Step four might be the hardest yet. You need to be open minded about the critiques. Is everyone going to love you posts and give you rave reviews...absolutely not. Is that okay? Absolutely yes. Every experience, every comment every blog post will teach you something new. Thats not to say every comment will be something to write down and remember for next time but you'll want to keep them in the back of your mind to better yourself and you content.

Happy Blogging!