A blog and website share almost the same functions with the exception that a blog has frequent entries on a daily basis or several times a week and the search engines can index your blog frequently, sometimes even daily.   While a website does get indexed by the search engines, it may be every two to four weeks and sometimes more frequent based on how often new content is uploaded to a site.

A great way to get more visitors to your website is by guest blogging relevant content on social networks that target the type of customers you are seeking.  The power in guest blogging is more than just posting articles or information, but it is in the relevancy of your post based on keywords or phrases that people are seeking while searching on Google, Yahoo, MSN and other searched-based websites as well.  So, it’s important to understand that you must from the very beginning be very particular about the type of information you are posting on blogs if it is a part of your marketing strategy.

Below are ways to promote your business through guest blogging:

Post Relevant Articles and Information that Benefit the Reader!
Submitting a post like “I sale pink sweaters, please buy from me” with links to your website is not going to get you noticed.  However, a short article entitled, “Savvy In Pink, 3 Pink Sweaters that Look Good on Any Body Type” will probably get noticed.  Readers will open your post and read it if they feel it is something they can put to good use.  It also builds your credibility.

Use Content from Your Website
You don’t have to write all original or new content for your blog post.  You can use current content that you have on your website already.  You can even use portions of it and provide links for people to read more on your site.

Always Place a Call to Action at the End of Your Post
A good post isn’t going to do you any good if you don’t have a call to action at the end of your blog.  This can be done by creating an “About the Author” section, which tells who you are and invites the reader to take some type of action.

Example:

About the Author:
Evelyn Perkeddy is owner of Look Good In Sweaters, an online boutique for women who enjoy wearing beautiful sweaters.  Click here to sign up for our weekly fashion tips e-newsletter and receive 50% off coupon code good through December 31st.

Use Keyword Phrases that are Being Searched for on Search Engines
The majority of the time people will not search for your company name, unless it is a well-branded or a common name that is already known.  So, you’ll need to know what keywords or keyword phrases are often used when people search for your type of product or service.  While there are paid search tools that you can use to find this out you can also sign up for a free Google Adwords account, which gives you access to their “keyword” toolbar by visiting http://www.adwords.google.com

Once you know what the keywords or phrases are that people are searching for you can develop article subjects based on those words or phrases.  This will definitely help you get more noticed!

Link to Your Blog Post from Facebook and Twitter
Both Facebook and Twitter are highly optimized websites with millions of people viewing each hour, so oftentimes what you post on them can get seen in the search engines within 24 to 48 hours.  That’s a pretty quick turn-a-round time!  So, make sure you encourage others to read your blog post by providing a link for them to click.  Since you can only post 164 characters on Twitter, you might need to shorten the URL address of your link.  To do so, go to "Tiny URL" a free resource that allows you to shorten your URL addresses.

Frequency is Key to Guest Blogging
Building a reputation and credibility for posting quality information goes a long way in the minds of your readers.  Once you build familiar trust with them they will forward your post to others, recommend your website and be more likely to purchase from you.  Posting 2 to three times weekly is a good way to establish yourself on any social network and have others seeking to connect with you.

Make Sure Your Website Is Up-to-date
You’ll have quite a few people clicking on links going back to your website from your blog post.  It is important to make sure that all content and offerings are current.  Also make sure that you have an invite box to capture names and emails for your e-newswletter on all pages of your site.

Get to Know Others
When joining social networks to guest blog, it also is important to participate within the community by reading other peoples blog posts and commenting on them.  You can ask questions, make suggestions and also provide resources and information.  This encourages other bloggers to get to know who you are.

Promoting your business through blogging is one of the most effective ways to get more visitors to your website.  Always be more concerned with being sincere, benefiting the reader and posting frequently and you will be well on your way to developing a following.

Here’s to your blogging success!

About the Author:

Trina Newby is a Business Success Coach and CEO/Founder of Women About Biz.  If you are a businesswoman, please click here to sign up for a FREE Basic Membership and promote your business as a guest blogger on Women About Biz!