In my previous post, I discussed the benefits of having a business blog.  Starting and maintaining your business blog, though beneficial, can be time consuming.  Hiring a virtual assistant can really help to minimize the amount of time you need to commit to your blog.  Your VA can handle all of the details, and you just need to provide the content.  Some of the tasks your VA can assist you with are:

1. Blog Set-up – A blog virtual assistant can get your blog set-up on your domain, and customized for your business.  She can keep it up to date and current.  As well as, add and customize plugins.

2. Keyword Research – keywords are very important for your blog.  Optimizing your post for certain words helps the SEO tremendously.  Your virtual assistant can do the keyword research to find topics, related to your industry, which you can write about.

3. Finding Images – your virtual assistant can search for relevant images for each post, as well as upload them.

4. Adding Tags – Tags and categories help to keep your blog organized.  Your VA can make sure each post has the appropriate tag and categories attached.

5. Proofread and Edit – She can check for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as edit your post.

6. Topic Research – Have a topic in mind, but need to do more research?  Your VA can do the research for you, so you have all the information you need to get the post written.

7. Comment Moderation – your VA can monitor the comments on your blog, weed out spam, and alert you to comments you should respond to.

8. Blog Marketing – your blog VA can assist you with marketing your blog posts, including submitting to social bookmarking sites and social media sites, such as Digg, Delicious, Twitter and Facebook.

9. Submit to Directories – She can submit your blog to the popular blog directories.

10. Help you Brainstorm Topic Ideas – Having to come up with new post ideas on a regular basis can be overwhelming, and prevent you from keeping your blog updated.  Your VA can help you brainstorm topic ideas and do research to find new topics to write about.

So, before you give up the idea of starting a business blog because of the time involved, consider hiring a blog virtual assistant.  You can focus on providing great content, while your VA manages the rest!

You may be new to blogging, especially blogging for your business.  Many think of blogging as just for your personal life, or for moms.  But, actually having a blog offers a new way for you to reach customers, and to communicate with them.  No matter what your business, there are people out there interested and in need of what you sell.  You, no doubt, know your business inside and out, and having a business blog allows you to share your knowledge.  Some of the benefits to creating a blog for your business are:

Search Engine Optimization – each new blog post creates one more way for a person to find you via the search engines.  You can optimize each post for specific keywords, which will help your site come up when others are searching for that term.  You are also consistently adding new content, and essentially new ways to be found.

Establishing your Expertise – Your blog gives you the opportunity to share your knowledge.  In building your business, you have learned a ton of useful information.  Sharing what you know and have learned establishes your expertise.  As you build followers, you will consistently show them why you are the best in your field.

Communicating with Your Target Market – A blog is a two way conversation, since your readers can leave comments on each post.  You also have the chance to respond to questions and comments.  It is a way to start building the relationship, and to continue it.

Answering FAQ in One Shot – if you have questions that are asked frequently, you can provide the answer in one post and then direct your customers to your blog.  You only have to answer the question once!  Plus, customer questions are a wonderful source for topic ideas!

A Place to Share News – You can also use your blog to share news from your company, promotions, or new products.  Your blog offers another stream to share your company’s information.

As you can see, starting a blog can be great for your business.  So, what are you waiting for?  Get started!  Brainstorm some ideas and topics you can write about.  Take action, so you can start to see the benefits of a business blog.

• Jot down ideas as they come to you.  You may come up with an idea while reading the paper, or in a meeting.  Take note of the post ideas as they come and follow-up when you have time.
• Use Google Notebook to keep track of websites and information that you find interesting and may want to write about.  Google notebook is an easy, free tool that helps you keep track of information as you surf the web.
• As you are reading the blogs you follow, keep track of any ideas that pop into your head.
• Think of your customers frequently asked questions and create blog posts based around answering them.
• Keep a running list of blog topics
• Take a few topic ideas and sit down and write for a few hours, get some posts done and ready to go.

Staying on top of your blog can be difficult, but it is very important.  Stick to a weekly blogging schedule to stay on top of it.  And build your backlog of posts for those weeks you get too swamped to get to your blog.

• Home Maintenance Tips
• Home Design Ideas
• New products in the Design center
• Answer Frequently Asked Questions
• Energy Saving Tips

The number of topics related to homes is never ending.  Your customers are looking online for information before they make their home purchase, and if you have a blog full of interesting information you are ahead of the game.

1.  Maintenance Tips – Share care and maintenance tips for the products you offer, as well as standard features.

2.  New Products – use blog posts to share new product offerings, colors, and styles.

3.  Frequently Asked Questions – Answer questions that come up over and over again.  This will be very helpful for new and potential buyers.

4.  Interior Design Tips – share design ideas.  Your designers are the experts, have them offer some easy design tips.  Keep your buyers imagining their house as a home.

5.  Share benefits of the products your offer – write a blog post on the benefits of energy star appliances or an upgraded carpet.  Start the education process early!

6.  Do product spotlights – for example, write a post about tile, include advantages, disadvantages, style and usage tips, maintenance information.

A design center blog gives you the opportunity to prepare your buyers for the design center process, and to educate them on all of the products in their home.  It also gives you the chance to connect with your buyers and keep them interested and excited about their new home purchase.