Because I said so. I believe that there is so much more credibility when small business owners write their own content (or at least the majority of it). 

 

Whatever excuse you throw at me – time, resources, lack of ideas or motivation or even the sheer hatred of writing – it really is not enough, especially if you haven’t even given it a chance. I believe in trying new and different things (This explains my multiple jobs/careers syndrome). In addition that, I believe in giving them your best effort before you can decide to knock it.

Just to humour you, here are some things I’ve tried several times and have concluded that they are just not my cup of tea:

Waking up at 5 or 6 am on a regular basis

Cooking

Running

Hot Yoga

Tim Horton’s Coffee

Breaking Bad

9 to 5 jobs

 

It’s worth a shot. If it relates to your business, it is worth a shot.

 

I know it’s easy for me to boldly state that it’s important for Small Business Owners Should Write Their Own Content because I do it myself. Given the type of business I’m in and the courses I teach, I have no choice but to “walk the walk and talk the talk”. However, for everyone else, I believe the same holds true.  If you are service-based, it probably makes a lot of sense for you to do so. 

People want to work with people they know. Not only that,  people want to work with professionals who have the experience and know what they’re talking about. Prospective clients and customers can get to know you from your blog posts. I can’t get to know you if almost ALL of your posts are guest posts or written by contributors.  It is possible to write about your business from a personal standpoint. In all honesty, I prefer those types of posts – when people share their experiences, share their knowledge.

Those are the best ones. 

Especially when it gets kind of deep and kind of personal.

And you think omg, I’m going to hit publish.

This is scary AF.

These are the ones that get the comments, likes and shares. The stories.

 

And well, when you’re a small business owner, let’s face it – it IS personal.

 

Everything about it is so personal. I want to hear from you,  how can YOU help me? How can YOU solve my problems? Sure, we can go with the general population says this, experts say this, experts say that this study shows, etc. But the people who follow you and want to work with you, want to know specifically what YOU have to say.

WHY?!?!

Believe or not they do care about what YOU think. They don’t want to work with the other guy/gal. They want to know what you specifically think and your response could potentially influence their decision.  I know I’m not wrong because I have/had clients who want to write and want their voice to be heard.  My blog posts resonate with them.  I don’t want to read another generic cookie cutter type post. I go to great lengths to make sure that my blog posts aren’t of that type.  

We spend a significant amount of time online. Don’t deny it. Despite what you may think, you can make a connection online. Based on what people put out there, I felt I have been able to relate to them, to connect with them even though we have actually never met in person (i.e. my former mentor). 

 

 

Nobody really likes being “sold” to, but many of us do like hearing/reading stories. Don’t sell your story. TELL your story.  

 

I believe “Actions speak louder than words” to a certain extent. I also believe in the power of the “written word” and that it can affect people significantly. What’s so great about the written word is that you can take the time to edit it until you’re satisfied for the most part (but not till the point where you haven’t published anything). Remember, done is better than perfect. 

Words can:

Educate, inspire.

Create an impact.

Spark a conversation online that can be taken offline and can be interpreted various ways.

Become sentences which in turn become paragraphs, which become blog posts, which are the stories you tell your readers.

 

See what I’m getting at? Somewhere out there, someone is looking for an answer and you may just be the right person to provide it.

 

Be the loud, strong and clear voice when others are still whispering or trying to find theirs.  You owe it to yourself, your clients, your readers and your business.

 

So confession time: do you write your own blog posts? Why or why not?

Need help finding your voice? Drop me a line.

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