We are often asked, “do I need a newsletter or is a blog enough?” This is a great question because there is no right answer to the newsletters vs blog question. As a small business owner you need to identify what is best for your business in relation to marketing yourself, whilst taking into consideration the time you have.
My suggestion is, if you can… do both.
But why?
So you can engage with as many readers as possible. Your blog and your newsletter will most likely appeal to different target audiences and offer different marketing opportunities.
Someone who has subscribed to your newsletter has given you permission to send them information on a regular basis, and those that read blogs most likely prefer blogs as a communication method. These are typically not the same people. Each strategy has benefits and you can use them to engage your audience in different ways.
Benefits of a Newsletter
Newsletters are great for larger priced products where a person needs to take some time to consider their options, for products that people may purchase throughout the year, and for business that offer a wide variety of products or services.
If you have a subscription option on your website, those that subscribe to your newsletter have given you permission to send them an update in the form of a newsletter. Newsletters are a great way to remind people of your products and/or services. With so much information on the Internet, someone may have stumbled upon your website, subscribed, and then forgotten about what you have to offer.
Depending on your business, you can link images of your products to your online store, articles to your blog, and upcoming events to your website. When selling products, visual representation is a great way to “show off” a particular product.
Benefits of a Blog
A blog is the ideal tool for someone who wishes to position themselves as an expert in their field. This can be appropriate for those who offer more personalised services and/or products because it offers readers a better sense of who you are, what you stand for, and help them connect with you. (You are reading this now, aren’t you? Hi! How are you? I am really glad you are here!)
Besides that, search engines love blogs! Search engines view new posts as fresh content, and if your blog is part of your website (mywebsite.com/blog) and you are posting on a regular basis, your website will rank high compared to your competitors who just have static websites.
Another benefit of a blog is it encourages two-way communication between you and your readers, hence the ability to comment on individual blog posts. Search engines view comments as favourable, just as they do link backs (another advantage!); people can link back to a particular blog post, possibly introducing a whole new audience to your blog and website.
So, which one is right for you?
In a perfect world you would do both, but as entrepreneurs and business owners, sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day. Choose what you feel suits your business model, or alternatively, talk to someone like us, who offer virtual assistance and can manage your blog and/or newsletter.
There is no black and white answer, only shades of grey.
If you’re overwhelmed, struggling to get things done, or recognise you need some assistance, organise a call with me to discuss your business support needs.
