This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will receive a commission if you purchase thru my links (at no extra cost to you). Please read my full disclosure statement here. Thank you for your support!
In today’s day where social media platforms dominate so much of our interaction with each other and the world at large, it may seem like the days of blogging could be coming to an end.
But I want to make a case in this article why it is still a very great idea to invest the time and energy to have a thriving blog as a digital marketer.
You see, your blog is something called an “owned asset.” This means it is yours – you drive the brand, content, adverts, marketing, partnerships, heck – even the comments can be completely moderated by you to protect the integrity of your blog ecosystem. It’s kind of like staking your claim of virtual “land” on the internet and then sowing your own garden.
I don’t know about you, but I find the constantly evolving landscape of social media exhausting to keep up with. But with your own blog, you are in complete control, and this offers these really great benefits for you and your online business.
Benefit #1: Showcase your expertise
Whatever niche you have positioned your business in, a blog offers you an opportunity to demonstrate to your audience your skills and build trust. It is very hard to cram much knowledge in short form videos on platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok. By consistently sharing valuable insights, tips, and strategies, you position yourself as an authority.
Benefit #2: Build a personal brand
You have a unique voice and unique experiences. You get the center stage to share your perspectives and differentiate yourself from others in your industry. You also get to reinforce your personal brand. A strong, recognizable personal brand can attract clients, partnerships, and networking opportunities.
Benefit # 3: Audience Engagement
Through comments, social media shares, and feedback, you can engage in direct conversations with your readers. You gain valuable insights to better understand their needs and preferences which then allows you to tailor your content to better serve your audience.You can also have measures in place to make sure that comments are moderated and keep the fluff, negativity, or downright spammy garbage at bay.
Benefit #4: Lead Generation
After all, we are marketers, and attracting and collecting leads is mana to our business. By incorporating calls-to-action, subscription forms, or lead magnets within your blog posts, you can capture the interest of your audience and convert them into leads. This helps build your email list for direct marketing campaigns and further relationship building with your audience.
Benefit #5: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing
Blogging is a powerful component of content marketing. Regularly publishing high-quality content on your blog not only engages your audience but also contributes to improved search engine rankings. Search engines love fresh, relevant content, and a blog is an excellent way to keep your website updated. When you regularly publish blog posts related to your digital marketing niche, you increase the chances of your website being indexed and ranked higher in search engine results. This improved visibility can drive organic traffic to your site. It also supports your brand recognition on social media platforms as people tend to turn to search engines to look up your name and your business when scrolling past your content that piques their interest.
Making a blog successful does take extra effort, but I find it to be effort well spent for these reasons. The key, however – like for any content strategy- is in your consistency and quality. Regularly updating your blog with high-value content enhances its impact and effectiveness in achieving these benefits.
Plus, even the extra effort can be streamlined between your blog and the other communication platforms you are using as you can take one blog post and connect it with short-form messaging (like for Instagram, TikTok) or even long-form (YouTube, podcasts) audio and video content.
I hope this was informative! For those of you already running your own blogs – were there any benefits I missed? Or if you haven’t gotten started blogging yet, what challenges do you have to overcome to add this asset to your business toolbox?
Let me know in the comments below!
With love,
Love your blog image and your analysis of blogging. I am just starting my own blog though I’ve wanted to for quite a while but now that I have started I do confess to enjoying sharing my thoughts and developing my unique voice.
Thanks also for reminding me that the search engines also do love content.
Good luck with your blog! I also quite enjoy having my own platform to share my own perspectives and I hope they help others traversing similar terrain.
AK
I’m completely on board with you, Acasha! I, too, find putting all my eggs in the social media basket a little frightening as an online business newbie! We don’t own or have any control over what the social media platforms do, and our hard work can be eliminated in an instant if “the powers that be” should so choose. The “owned asset” is where it’s at and I appreciate your post going into detail about that!
Yes! It is unfortunately common for a social media platform to just shut down an account on a sudden whim…and if that’s the only platform you have to reach your audience than that’s not good news!
AK
I’m with you about social media changes being exhausting to keep up with. And having you own piece of landscape online is certainly appealing. And I like the benefits you present for your readers and their online business.
And there’s that word again – consistency. I agree that is a key but as for quality, I think that is subjective. It assumes that you have the right content for the audience that you have attempted to attract. And SEO and just plain getting the word out there will help to determine who that audience is.
True, quality is (to a degree) in the eye of the beholder. Bottom line your content needs to offer value to YOUR audience and their needs, so that’s really the criteria I use to determine what is quality and what is not in terms of content.
AK
It is indeed important to have your own asset that you control. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing your entire business overnight. 20 years ago, who would have expected MySpace to shut down.
And the same can potentially happen to any of the popular social media platforms today.
And they can shut down your account in an instant, leaving your business where?!? Its certainly wise to diversify yourself as an online business owner and have multiple means of reaching your audience.
AK
Acasha,
You have made a great case for having a blog. There are a lot of other ways to build and online business but a blog helps to create a relationship with the individuals that read it.
In today’s world of tech the personal relationship aspect is often lost and people end up just being a number. However, if a blog is done correctly it can bring the lost art of customer relationships building back into a business.
This relationship building then ultimately makes the blog more profitable.
Thanks for point out the advantages of having a blog.
CJ
It just feels so much more personal and connected right? I don’t feel like there is much value I can offer to the world in 6 second Reels on social media lol
AK
Hi Acasha,
Is Dean employing you directly? If not he should be. Your advice and descriptions are awesome. I am literally in awe of your writing and presentation skills. Can’t wait to see your next blog.
Andy
Andy!
OMG, thank you for your compliments! Truly made my day. So glad you found value in my post.
Best wishes,
AK
Acasha, a really important topic that you have touched on here. When I was thinking about starting my blog, I did think who’s going to read all of this. Everybody looks at TikTok and YouTube for quick solutions to everything. That is also powerful and has its place. However the value you give through your blog explaining things, training people, going into in-depth levels on various topics is not something you can get very quickly. The people who visit your blog will also be serious about the niche you are blogging in and so in time will become focused followers. I love the way you laid out the benefits, all valid , thank you so much. Really great blog. Until next time. Thanks, Atif
Right? It feels like the audience you reach in a blog are so much more invested than random scrollers-by on social media. I truly love the medium of writing and find it so much more satisfying than trying to condense a plethora of knowledge into a quick-second sound byte.
AK
Acasha,
You hit the nail on the head! While social media is a big part of how we connect, your point about a blog being a stronger link to followers really resonates. The benefits you highlighted about having a blog were right on target. It does demand some time, but it’s time well invested. Pairing a blog with social media posts boosts your visibility. And here’s the kicker – if anything goes awry with social media platforms, your blog or “owned asset” is your reliable constant.
Sherri
The social media platforms… I enjoy them as a casual user – but as a means to connect with people in the context of my business, I am finding it incredibly wanting! Its like the rules are changing all the time and my head is swimming trying to decide how to best reach my intended audience in 6-second video clips… I much prefer connecting with like-minded folks like you here in this space <3
AK
Hi Acasha,
This was great! I really like how you laid out the explanation of “Owned Asset” with the 5 benefits! I like to look at it as our own little piece of online real estate 🙂 Until your next post!
Denny
Acasha!!!
I LOVE this!! Such good insights and advice for people starting out
I have to say it’s mighty impressive seeing you openly sharing and passing on the things you’ve learned like this
Wish I had something like this to follow when I was starting out, would have saved me years of struggle!
Keep up the great work… Can’t wait to see your “owned asset” continue to grow 😉
Dean
I have had a great mentor! 😀
You honor me, sir, with your compliments. I am so glad you thought this post was of value.
AK
I am in the process of listening to Glenn’s tutorials on blogging. He says it’s the MOST important traffic strategy and of course, sharing that across social media platforms will make for visibility. Blogging may be the most important thing we do!