Why Blog? 5 reasons why you should start blogging.

Sure, lot's of people are doing it. But why?

Why would YOU want to set up a blog? As a consultant or a professional, Why would you do it? Is there really any point or is all hype? How can a blog help you with marketing or business development?

Well:

1) VISIBILTY. Your business success depends on your credibility and visibility. Publishing a blog gives you the opportunity to raise your profile and to demonstrate your knowledge. For many people, a blog is a very important part of their marketing strategy.

2) RELATIONSHIPS. The first person written voice of a blog communicates very directly with your audience. Your business isn't transactional - it's relationship based. Posting a blog gives your website a face, and a voice. It gives your clients and prospects a chance to experience the real you. From a business development perspective you're trying to build a relationship with your prospective clients before you even think about trying to 'sell' them anything.

3) SHARED EXPERIENCES. Your readers can post comments. It can become a two way dialogue. You can stimulate discussion and provide an opportunity for both you and your readers to learn something new.

4) INFORMALITY. Sometimes you want to put a thought out there, that has no place in a presentation, or in an article or white paper.

5) CONTENT. Perhaps in the future you'd like to publish a book, or at least some articles. Writing content for your blog can provide material that you can build on later on. It also allows you to find out which subjects are the most interesting for your readers and to get some feedback. It also establishes a habit of writing on a regular basis. Personally, I find it helps me to develop thoughts that are sometimes floating around in my head, and turn them into to something more concrete and useful.