More and more small businesses are considering using a blog to promote their business. A blog can be used in a variety of ways.

Here are just a few

• Get the word out to your customers about your services and products
• An easy way to keep your employees updated
• A way to allow interaction from your customers or employees

There are a few advantages and a few pitfalls to be aware of before you start. It is important that you lay out a plan and decide what the purpose of your blog will be. Decide how often it will be updated and keep to it. Blogs that aren’t updated on a regular basis lose their advantage.

You may need more than one blog because the tighter the focus your blog has – the more effective it will be. Keep your blog on topic and don’t allow it to range far and wide with your topics just because you can. If you want to stray from your major topic you may want to consider creating another blog on that topic.

The big advantage of a blog is the ease of use and the ability to be interactive. At the same time that interactivity needs to be controlled to keep your blog on track. Your blog needs to maintain a consistent purpose. Unfortunately, not all comments will add to the conversation you are creating on your blog so make sure you control the comments.

Worry less about the technology and more about the purpose for your business. Now if you are in the music business then adding sound clips and video may serve your purpose. Don’t just add technologies because they are available add them because they improve the conversation.

Remember, that blogs are a conversation. Consider that when posting and adding content.

In summary – If you take the time to plan out your blog’s purpose, how often it will be updated and schedule the time necessary to achieve this, you will find a blog can be a valuable asset to your overall business plan.

If you are not willing or able to do this then you will be disappointed with the results you receive from your blog.