Blogs (used for business) are supposed to be relationship builders, so they say. Of course, purist bloggers will say they shouldn't be used for business, but if you read this blog, you've gotten past all that and we can discuss blogging for business candidly, right?



Many "business blogging" experts will usually tell you never to sell on your blog. Blogging is about building relationships they say. Well, that's fair enough - relationships do need to be built and it's nice to make new friends - but I started blogging to build my business, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon.

If You're Not Prepared to Show Them What You Have to Offer, How Are They Going to Find Out?

It doesn't really make much sense to me if you're simply going to blog for the sake of it, and not make any offers at the end of the post. I guess some people think that simply stuffing a load of ads in the sidebar is going to make money. Unfortunately people rarely click these ads so that is a misconception. People read your blog because they are interested in what it is you have to say. If you're not going to tell people what you have to offer to the world, how on earth are they going to know?

Entwining offers within your blog posts is a good idea to start. Your faithful readers will be more interested in what you have to say, and won't be so put off by seeing recommendations (and are more likely to click through). Don't get me wrong though, it is not a good idea to go too far, by making every blog post a mini sales letter. Although with this in mind, one or two posts of this nature won't hurt, as long as the bulk of the content is of good quality. Try to at least insert a "call to action" within each post, for business building purposes.

If you have your own information product, e-zine or membership site that's fits the subject you are blogging about, be sure to mention it.

Do you have your own product that fits with the subject you're blogging about? If so, mention it.

If you know another company that sells a great product solution, link to it with an affiliate link.

Your readers don't possess a ESP, They haven't visited your blog just because they like you. Your public is interested in what YOU have to offer. They want to know what it is you're currently up to, and what products you present. Don't make the assumption that your reader base already know your product lineup, and they'll investigate further should they ever feel the need to buy from you. This is not the case - you need to take them by the hand and show them.

This is something Lynette Chandler and I really try to drive home in our Internet Marketing Blogging Bootcamp.

Some Outside Perspective on How My Blog Sells

Interestingly enough, a number of people have caught on to my money-making scheme with my bloghe he he.

If you ever get the time, be sure to check out Andy Beard's blog (andybeard.eu), as he has recently stated "they probably have more paying customers than many A-list bloggers have subscribers" (you'll have to visit this site to read the full post).

John Reese's team previously did an audit for BlogRush members, and mentioned the subject. In it he stated that the majority of the 'make money online' blogs were rejected On the basis that: "most of the blogs in that category were heavy with ads and promotional material compared with the ratio of tips, techniques, and true unique 'helpful' content." He went on to mention that this blog is one of the rare examples that got things right. The whole post can be read at income.com/blog

Brent Hodgson refers to the subject as "over the shoulder selling", as a "type of inclusive sales pitch which just engages people - not as sales prospects, but as people". I was listed as someone who uses this tactic "either subconsciously, or very deliberately". The full quote can be seen at brenthodgson.com.

And Yes, YOU Should be Using This Technique!

And please don't tell me this is only suitable for and "Internet marketing" blog because it's simply not true. If you have products to sell and you have people who enjoy your related content - you can incorporate selling into your blog.

So should you sell on your blog or not? Be it a direct advertisement, or worked subtlety into your posts, selling to your readers doesn't mean you suddenly become a used car salesman. It just means that you are happy to recommend something to your readers that you can relate to.