PureBlogging

In my building a business blog series, I have told you how to choose the right host for your business blog, discussed how to create content, gave tips on how to make your business blog Search Engine Friendly, and last week I revealed tips about some of programs that could help you make more money with your business blog. This week, for my final post in the series, I’m going to discuss a few of the many ways you can promote your business blog. After all, you have built it, and now I am sure you would love for people to discover it.

Networking

1. Connect with other business owners as well as potential customers through social networking sites. For a great list of social networking sites, see Social Networks for Businesses.

2. Register for social bookmarking accounts. Through social bookmarking, you can bookmark your own posts and invite your friends and blog readers to do the same. In addition, you can place the social bookmarking links at the end of every post (see the links at the end of this post as an example). If you write quality and informative content, then many of your readers will click on the social bookmarking links to share it with their friends. After all, word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising.

Some popular social bookmarking sites to consider are Stumble Upon, Del.icio.us and Digg.

3. Take time to visit other business blogs and leave comments. When leaving a comment, share any additional tips they may have missed or let them know if they helped you learn something new. If there wasn’t a place on their comment form to insert a link, then leave the link to your business blog at the end of your comment. Remember, don’t spam!

4. Networking also takes place through forums and message boards. Search the internet for forums and message boards related to your business blog. Then, after you become a member, offer advice and answer questions. Again, don’t spam. Instead, create a signature that includes a link to your blog. Your signature will appear at the end of all your posts and replies. If you offer advice and answer questions, other members will want to check out your blog to see what other helpful information you provide.

Become a Member of Entrecard

Just this week I became a member of Entrecard, and my blog traffic has already doubled. I have even had a few newcomers leave comments. To discover more about Entrecard, read Entrecard: A One Month Review, by Sharon Hurley Hall. Sharon gives a great explanation of Entrecard and its features!

Use the Internet to Promote Your Business Blog

1. As soon as your business blog is ready to go live, distribute a press release announcing the launch of your business blog through sites such as PRWeb, Pressbox, USA News ($10 fee) and I-Newswire. Also use press releases to announce any contests you run on your business blog, sales and anything else you feel is newsworthy.

2. Advertise in newsletters, e-zines and e-mags relevant to your business blog.

3. Submit your business blog to web and blog directories. This will also help get your business blog picked up by search engines more quickly.

Promote Your Business Blog Offline

1. Every time you send out a letter or promo materials, include a link to your business blog on the letterhead.

2. Place the link to your business blog on your business cards, brochures and flyers, then follow the advice in On the Road Website Promotion.

This concludes my series on Building a Business blog. If you missed any of the posts or would like to save them to refer back to later, see the Table of Contents below. As always, feel free to share any tips you have on how to promote a business blog in the comments area. Best wishes and happy promoting!

Table of Contents

Introduction: Building a Business Blog
Choose the Right Host for Your Business Blog
Creating Content for Your Business Blog
Making Your Business Blog Search Engine Friendly
Make More Money With Your Business Blog
Promote Your Business Blog (This Post)

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