Every food business needs marketing – irrespective of whether that business is a fancy brick-and-mortar restaurant or a cute little bakery that you run from the confines of your home.
Marketing is essential for business. We know, we know – you’re probably wondering why we’ve suddenly begun to state the obvious. But hear us out…did you know that writing blogs can be a great way to market your food business?
Yes! Blogs are the most organic way to promote your business and bring in people, aka traffic, to your website. This traffic can lead to online orders, loyal clients, and even visits to your restaurant! But that’s not all. Your blog content can also help strike a chord with your customer, forming a personal bond through your writing.
If you’re a food business owner and wish to share your recipes, experience, and love for food with everyone, then writing a blog is just the right thing to do. Confused about where to start and how to set up your very first blog? Don’t worry, as always, we’ve got you covered.
Choose A Domain Name
A domain name is the name of your blog site. It usually ends in “.com” and is what one would type in the search bar to get to your website. Well, typically, your domain name should be the same as your food business name, but remember that it must also be short and easy to spell.
Once you have shortlisted your domain name, check whether it’s available online. If it doesn’t belong to anyone else, be sure to snatch it up quickly!
Find A Web Host
A web host is where your website is going to “live”. If you’re a newbie to blogging, it’s advisable to go for an inexpensive hosting server that is reliable yet affordable. BlueHost is a widely recommended web host as it’s easy on the pocket and even easier to set up. And if you find a plan that offers automatic WordPress installation, that’ll be your cherry on top.
WordPress
Installing WordPress has got to be the most exciting bit of setting up a blog! This is where your blog comes alive. Install WordPress and get ready to have fun with the many themes the platform offers. The theme you choose has to be reflective of your business brand, voice, and personality. It must be well-designed and responsive, and most importantly, user-friendly.
See Also: How To Build A Website For Your Food Business
Write, Write, And Write Some More
If you haven’t guessed already, it’s time to write! Now, what you wish to write upon is entirely dependent on the food business you run, what you’d personally like to write about as an entrepreneur, and the target audience you are catering to. But every writer faces the much-dreaded writer’s block once in a while. So, here are some blog ideas that will get you through the toughest days as you sit across the damned blinking cursor on the screen across from you.
Keep in mind that you’re writing for your customers. So always and always choose to write blogs that they’ll be interested in reading. You can cover recipes of your favorite dishes, write about some secret cooking hacks and tips that you have learned on the way, and even speak about special offers and new launches related to your business! Keep your writing style natural and conversational, with a regular flurry of customer photos and delectable food to go with the writing.
Keep It Regular
Don’t let your blog trail off. Try to be as regular as you can with your writing. Ideally, you should be writing something new every week to remind your audience you’re still here and very much active. It’d help to have a content bank of blog ideas ready beforehand so that you’re not caught off-guard with the ultimate writer’s dilemma of “nothing to write about”. Moreover, posting something on the regular helps immensely with SEO and improved search engine rankings.
Promote Your Blog
As much as it helps to actively keep writing and updating your blog, you’ll also need to look at ways to promote it. Yes, your blog needs promoting too. Get those visitors coming in by pushing your blog site through other marketing channels of your business. Promoting every new article on your social media accounts is a great way to drive traffic to your blog. Plus, you could also print your blog address on other print marketing such as flyers, menus, etc., to rake in online visits. Collaboration is super important too, so try and interact with fellow blog writers and perhaps invite some over to write for your blog!
Well, that sums up the basic steps towards creating and running your own blog. Now, wasn’t that easy? But, we understand. To those new to the blogging business – this may even seem daunting and perhaps, all alien. But the key is to simply start. Start with what you have, and learn as you go. The most successful blogs didn’t achieve thousands of readers overnight. So don’t be afraid to start small and enjoy the process as you move forward. Write to your strengths, minus the stress.
So, are you excited to get blogging?
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