CT Biz Blogs

There are many different types of businesses that could use a blog to help connect with customers or vendors, share their expertise, and build their businesses. These could be used in place of a website, or as an addition to the website.

As a challenge to myself (as if I’m not already challenged with this 20 types marathon), I brainstormed some ways four different types of businesses could use a blog. I’m sure there are many more that I haven’t thought of. The potential uses of a blog are only limited to the imagination of the business owner. I mean, who knew that a blog about a sign business could be so much fun to read.

How 4 types of small businesses could use a blog:

1. Beauty Salons
   I get an email once a month from my hair salon, listing specials for the month. It’s a nice salon, and they recently moved into a beautiful space, where they also have a great spa. An email about that just doesn’t do it justice. Instead of just finding that out by going there for my next appointment, how much cooler it would have been to have read about it in a blog. And I could also read:
   • Sales announcements
   • Articles on hair or hair-related topics
   • Pictures of haircuts
   • pictures and bios of stylists
   • pictures of the salon & spa
   • articles on the products for sale (shampoos, etc.)
   • notes from satisfied clients
   • articles on stress-free living (from the spa)

   The intent is not to hammer folks with ads, but to show how the salon is part of your toolkit for taking care of yourself, and a source of tips and ideas.

   This would keep me much more engaged and attached to the place and the people who work there.

2. Dry Cleaners
   Ok, dry cleaners may not come springing to mind when you think of businesses you’d like to read about. But I might be interested in reading about other things than sales announcements, like:
   • articles on care of clothing
   • pictures of the equipment and the staff
   • descriptions of services
   • notes from satisfied customers
   • posts on problems in dry cleaning (this helps manage customer expectations)

   The idea here is to personalize the dry cleaner, and have it be more of a resource than just a place to drop off clothes now and then.

3. Cleaning and Restoration
   If you have a cleaning and restoration business, you have an automatic audience in anyone who owns property that could get damaged and need restoration. Some of the content you could have on a blog include:
   • pictures of specialized equipment (especially cool if it’s high-end heavy-duty stuff)
   • explanations of how the equipment is used to help save irreplaceable items
   • tips on how to keep items safe
   • posts on the expertise of the staff
   • before and after pictures of problems
   • articles on what to do when disaster strikes
   • FAQs for homeowners

   And if you’re a big enough (more than just one or two people) company, you could also have (depending on the blog application):

   • A special site for vendors — password-protected links to:
     • templates for invoices
     • frequently asked questions
     • specific job info
     • procedures & policies
   • A special password-protected site for insurance companies that you do business with.
4. Writers
   Readers love to read about and connect with their favorite writers. Blogs are a natural fit for a writer — an informal way of reaching out to readers and building your base of fans. Writers should have no shortage of ideas on what to blog about, but here’s a few items:
   • articles about specific books
   • articles on upcoming appearances
   • sections from book (especially important if self-publishing)
   • articles on books you’re reading or would recommend
   • questions from and for readers
   • articles on whatever you think would interest your fans

Here’s the thing — blogs are a way of gaining attention for you and your businesses, over time, by publishing informal and informational short articles about something you think will be of interest to your customers, existing or potential. It builds credibility and confidence, and increase the likelihood of a true exchange of value for you and your clients.

What’s not to like about that?