5 Ways You Can Use Your Blog To Build Your Coaching Practice

This morning I was thinking about the post that Wendy wrote last week titled, Blogging a Dead Horse :: What’s Next for Business Bloggers?

In the post, she asks a number of questions that can be boiled down to - what’s next? From the post:

…what can you say about making money blogging that Darren hasn’t already said? Or on WordPress that Lorelle hasn’t already said? Or on social media that Chris Brogan hasn’t already said? Or on community that Liz Strauss hasn’t already said?

Well, I’ve been making money with my blog since I launched it. Yet I don’t sell ad space, use Google AdWords and seldom promote any affiliate products.

Since the beginning, I’ve been using my blog to promote what I can do for small business owners. Whether it’s website design, blog consulting, product development, business coaching, business growth or running email campaigns (yes, I do all that and more), I’ve been using my blog to generate leads, create conversations, make contacts and build relationships. All this has lead me to rapid growth of my own business over the past 2 years, and greater opportunities for the future (more coming soon).

What I’ve learned in the past two years is that a blog can become a powerful marketing tool for building any service-based business. Notice I said ‘tool.’ And just like any tool in a carpenter’s toolbox, you simply have to know how to use your blog to build the business you want.

Here are five ways:

1. Be seen as an expert - Publishing on a blog can very quickly establish your expertise. Your prospective clients want to work with an expert. You can easily display your expertise through the posts you write.
2. Engage in conversation - I say it all the time…conversation leads to relationships and relationships lead to business. Use your blog to create engaging conversations with your readers. Give them great value and they can’t help but want to come back.
3. Build relationships - Relationships are the absolute key to building a service-based business through social media. You don’t have to know a lot of people. Just know the people who you’re comfortable with and who know people who need what you offer. And remember, be the first to give in your relationships.
4. Convert your readers - Bloggers tend to not focus enough on conversion. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself. Ask your readers to buy something you’ve produced, to take a course you’re doing or to contact you for a consultation. Remember, not all, but many people are reading your content for the advise you’re giving. Some will want to pay you for more of it.
5. Have a plan - It’s very important to know how you want people to move through your business. When someone contacts you, what do you do next? What do you offer them? And if they’re interested in what you do, how do you close the sale?

I could go on to mention business clarity, positioning, target audience need, creating a sales funnel, negotiation, pricing, and on and on. But don’t get overwhelmed by all the details. Start thinking about your blog as a marketing tool. Then consider how you can leverage your blog to promote and grow your business.

And that’s the question…how are you using your blog to promote and grow your service-based business? And if you’re not, then what are two things you can do immediately that would enhance your business growth through your blog - not blog growth, mind you - business growth?