If you're a business owner, marketing director, sales person, or anyone who's interested in increasing your website traffic (and online sales) you've probably heard of companies using blogs as part of their marketing strategy. Likewise, if you're considering blogging, you've probably wondered what its value is.
Blogging and Content Marketing
Blogging is part of an overall marketing concept known as Content Marketing. Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.
Here's 5 data-driven reasons why you should consider blogging a critical component of your content marketing strategy.
1. 79% of online shoppers spend 50% of their shopping time researching products online.
Consumers are more well informed and have more access to information than ever before (and this will only increase). They rely on blogs, articles, reviews, and local search results to offer them insight before making a purchase.
2. 77% of Internet users read blogs.
The vast majority of internet users consider blogs a tool to discover new information. If you're not participating, your missing an opportunity.
3. Internet users in the US spend 3x more time on blogs than they do on email.
Email marketing is effective, but if its the only thing you're relaying on to reach your audience you're missing a great opportunity.
4.
Your companies blog can help build your reputation in your industry as an expert on whatever topic it is that you write about. From the consumers perspective, that will help keep you top of mind, and more likely to be considered in the buying decision.
5. 61% of U.S. online consumers have made a purchase based on recommendations from a blog.
Blog content is highly regarded among consumers who are looking for information on which to base their buying decision.
