Those who have been working with social media for a while know that blogs can be lucrative business. No, I’m not talking about “Write five blogs a day and we’ll pay you $1 for each.” I’m talking about blogging for your business.

A select few (ie. investors, mom, dad and that annoying guy from high school who always wants to know what you’re doing) really want to hear how business was as the office today. In short, don’t blog about that. Promoting your business is taking a new route and it’s called inbound marketing. We’ve done a video about that, so we won’t get into it here.

Blogs are more of a cool tool in the pool of information you can offer your clients or potential customers.

Keep these five things in mind when creating your blog. These are just some of the reasons people will visit your blog:

1 ) How Can YOU Help ME? Yep, it’s the old “What do I get out of this?” You’ve enticed me to come here, I’m here, now your information better help me. If it does, I’ll be a regular to your blog. Hey, I might even tell my friends about it!

2 ) What do you know that I have to pay for elsewhere? You are a pro at what you do (usually). What kind of info is rattling around in that brain of yours that you can offer to me for free? For example, let’s say you’re in the insurance business that only serves the local area. A family member or friend calls from out of state (because all of the local ones do business with you, right?) and says, “What kind of fine print should I watch out for when going to get insurance?” BINGO! What a great blog idea! I know many people who would read that as opposed to “Why Bill Smith should be your insurance agent.”

3 ) Can you break that into steps for me? You’ve been in the home construction business for 20 years. You probably could re-wire a home in your sleep. Guess what? I can’t. If you can break that into steps for me, that would help. That way, about after three steps, I’ll put the tools aside and give you a call. After all, you tried to help me. People love lists and steps. Give it to them!

4) Can you offer me some motivation? You love what you do. Share that passion and transform it into motivation. Run a gym? Give me four things to think of each morning to get me started and I’ll swing by your place after work. Are you into investments? Think too many people are investing improperly? Tell me how I should take a Sunday, tell me what I should look for and (if I’m not satisfied) tell me to call you Monday for a no pressure, no obligation meeting. I may just follow that last step.

5) Whatcha got that’s going to keep me coming back? I love visiting new sites, especially if it’s a one-time obligation. The ones that get me are the ones I can’t resist visiting again. Their information is so darn useful, I need to check in with them daily and some weekly. I challenge you to be that one I visit daily or weekly.

Jason M. Rodriguez is the founder of www.JayRodChicago.com, a social media, public relations and freelance writing company based in Chicago. He publishes a new blog every Monday at http://www.JayRodChicago.com/blog

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