How to Start a Business Blog

My partner and I owned Big Wheels bike shop for motorcycles. We wanted our motorcycle business to get more exposure. We knew there were secrets to getting more business via the internet but we were so focused on managing our own small business, we didn’t know where to start. A friend of mine mentioned investing in a business blog. I didn’t have that much money- it was all invested in my company. My friend let me know that it wasn’t difficult to start a business blog. It was a lot less difficult then getting a website and getting internet marketing. A blog builder is a company that helps people build their own blogs and get them online and create a following. He said it was similar to having my own website with the ability to get advertising too!

I thought to myself, this is too good to be true. How much does it cost? My friend said it was around $5 dollars a month? Wow- what a deal, I get to have a business blog, similar to a website with advertising if I choose to do that- while maintaining my original motorcycle business!

I began to think of designs. I would have a weekly calendar and monthly updates about the trips I was planning. Motorcycle riders are always thinking about the next place they are going to ride to. Some of them are very serious about their bikes and very loyal to the places they commit themselves to. I would have a chat room where people could discuss the best road side establishments that cater to bikers- like best restaurants, the best repair shops and pubs. I would even have links to those establishment’s business blogs. There would be a counter of course, to let me know how many people cam to visit my blog. People could send me emails and give advice. I would also run a photo of a loyal customer and their bike, similar to "biker of the month." I think that would help get people interested in sending in themselves with their bike and passing the blog around.

My friend let me know there were several online businesses that help people create business blogs. My friend was right. The online blog builders had several designs to choose from. They were fast and efficient and made me feel good about my investment. I liked how they gave me more choices that I didn’t even know were available. They were truly wanting me to be happy about my site.

It wasn’t long before my hot rod motorcycle business blog was up and running. I had 75 hits the first day. I eventually received advertisements from motorcycle parts and repair places, biker bars and even clothing. When I went on vacation for 2 weeks- I had people begging me to return and update my business blog.
I created a biking store outside my own bike store. People were coming in droves to my shop because I had so much information online. The people online could see that my shop was centrally located, I had been in business for 10 years, they could see the shop through the photos and therefore they could connect. I could show the world my photos of all the people who showed up for the 30 mile ride to the Darrington Log Show. All 15 of us could now post comments on my blog and post their own photos. For all of my friends who own small businesses, I will recommend business blogging.

About the author: Melissa Peterman is a web content producer for Innuity. For more information about business blog, or blog builder go to www.typepad.com