Yes, You Do Have Time to Blog!

One of the common refrains I hear from people is that "I don't have time to blog."

On the surface, this seems believable. What small business owner isn't over-worked, whether it's with marketing, sales, bookkeeping, managing people, making the coffee, buying the computers, sending out proposals, answering the phones, taking out the garbage, and every other task that fills our days from the moment we hit the office (whether in or out of our house) to the moment we shut down the computer for the day?

And still, I call "B.S."

Because if you're a small business owner like I am, then blogging is something you can always fit into your day. I'm not saying it's easy. I'm not octomom (dignity in check, thanks), but my wife and I do have kids, and a work/life balance is important to us.

You see, blogging isn't some self-indulgent activity; it's investing in the future of your business. Blogging increases your search engine visibility, establishes your credibility, and generates inbound leads. In my opinion, it's probably the best marketing tool you have at your disposal, and once you get it set up it's nearly free.

Unlike other required tasks (phone calls, meetings and making the coffee, for example), you can blog any time. In fact, I recommend doing it in the off hours so you can follow up on all the leads active blogging will deliver to you during your normal business day.

Here's how to get it done:

• Write a blog post before the kids get up, or after you've put them to bed. (No kids? Then no excuse. Seriously, this is the time to be blogging like there's no tomorrow because feedings in the middle of the night can kill your creativity.) 
• Give up one night of TV a week and pump out two or three blog posts, and deliver them Monday, Wednesday and Friday the following week. 
• Review your Google alerts for your targeted keywords and write brief posts while eating at your desk two days a week.
• Use a voice-to-text tool while on the treadmill and speak your next blog post (85% less weird if you have a home gym.)

Listen, this is your business. You're an entrepreneur. No one said this was going to be easy. A blog isn't some toy, it's a business tool that's going to deliver qualified leads to your Web site. If you'd rather watch American Idol that's fine; just hope your competition feels the same way you do.

Rich Brooks
Blogging Past Midnight

Comments

[Denise Wakeman]

LOL! Rich, I go on this rant every single time I do an interview and teach blogging teleseminars. A business blog is a marketing tool and I'm willing to bet many business owners don't spend as much time as they should on marketing and could be getting much better results if they would make the time to blog for their business.

Blog on!

[Samantha Hartley]

Rich, I too loved your frank and funny post. I've often said if I blogged as much as I thought about blogging, I'd be the most prolific blogger on Earth.

I appreciated your no-excuses, humorous take on this topic. And thanks to Denise for mentioning this post in her post. Another easy way to blog - read other blogs for thought starters and respond to them!

[Deborah Smith]

Love this post Rich. I just met with a client yesterday whose business is perfect for blogging and they know it, which is refreshing. I'll be using some of your points to drive that message home in my proposal.