With almost 4 billion people worldwide currently connected to the internet, there has never been a better time for businesses to include blogging in their marketing strategy.
“Blog” - what a strange word! It’s generally recognized that the first blog was Links.net®, created by college student Justin Hall way back in 1994. At that time, this type of online content was not called a blog. Hall just referred to it as his personal homepage. It wasn’t until 1997 that the term “weblog” was coined. In 2005, Merriam-Webster® declared “blog” to be their word of the year.
Starting a Business
1. QuickSprout®
Entrepreneurial expert Neil Patel, co-founder of Crazy Egg® and Hello Bar® is a high-profile business influencer. His blog breaks down common issues faced by startup businesses. A big focus is converting followers into sales. If you’re interested in starting a business, this should be your first stop.
2. forEntrepreneurs®
This online resource and magazine for all kinds of startups has been voted the #1 website for entrepreneurs by Inc. Magazine®, and ranked 2nd on the list of 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs by Forbes® Magazine. Run by serial entrepreneur David Skok, this blog offers helpful information for entrepreneurs and startups.
Eric Ries is the creator of Lean Startup Methodology® and is also a writer and a programmer. He shares lessons learned from the successful companies he founded as well as insight about why some of his ventures failed. He’s also written a book, The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses.
How to grow your company
This blog has 95,000+ subscribers and is a weekly newsletter covering product and growth strategy. Paid subscribers also join a private community of over 7,000 PMs, growth leaders, and founders. With 115.5K followers on Twitter®, this growing fan base also gets great information on product, sales, and start-up strategies.
5. GrowthHackers®
Sean Ellis runs GrowthHackers®. Their mission is to help companies ignite sustainable growth using the cross-functional, value-based approach proven effective by today’s fastest growing companies such as Facebook®, Airbnb®, Amazon® and Netflix®. GrowthHackers’ blog is a great place to ask questions and start conversations with the best professionals in this field.
For developing small business partnerships
6. Company Partners®
A business partner may be someone to join with you to start a business, or to join an existing company to bring additional skills into it. Finding a reputable and capable partner for your business can be complex but there is information available to help. The Company Partners® blog is the resource center of an online site where you can find business partners, mentors, investors and business opportunities.
Staying up to date with technology
With an easily digestible 3 posts a week, the SmallBiz Technology® blog features news, interviews, and events for business owners and those working for smaller businesses. The articles aim to educate business owners and entrepreneurs with information on how to strategically use technology as a tool to start and grow their businesses. In addition to techy, the writers cover marketing and sales, finance, operations, office productivity, security, and customer service.
8. Wired.com®
Wired.com® is an authority on emerging technologies, examining how technological innovation affects culture, politics, and world economies. Starting out in print in 1993, the website launched the following year. The Wired.com writers cover many categories including business, culture, security, and more. Wired is proud to report that the publication has never failed a fact check by the International Fact-Checking Network.
10. Fast Company®
Fast Company® (FC) is widely considered to be one of the most reliable sources of business and technology news. Fast Company’s tagline is “The Future of Business,” which pretty succinctly sums up their focus. Their articles focus on leadership, innovation, marketing, and more. FC is a good choice for disruptive, tech-driven micro-businesses who are learning the ropes as they go.
Social media tips and tricks
11. Social Media Today®
Social Media Today® offers a diverse mix of news on social networks' latest developments and cutting-edge tips to perfect your use of each platform. The blog also hosts live Twitter chats from its Twitter hashtag, #SMTLive, on various social media topics twice a month.
12. SocialMedia.biz
The comprehensive SocialMedia.biz blog breaks down its social media content into News, Business, How-To, and Marketing topics -- providing a reader experience that is sorted according to the unique social media challenges you might face in your career. The blog encourages readers to become contributors by showcasing their expertise to help build brands for a targeted audience.
The Social Media Examiner® offers tons of great guest authors and consistent how-to content, Calling themselves “Your Guide to the Social Media Jungle'', their mission is to help small business marketers navigate the constantly changing social media jungle. They believe that with smart marketing, even the smallest brands can compete with the largest players in your industry.
Marketing expertise
13. Duct Tape Marketing® Blog
Posting around 4x a week, this prolific blog has been on too-many-to-count “best of” blog lists. Fourteen new blogs on specific small business topics were just added to the Duct Tape Marketing Blog Channel bringing the total to 22. Some of the blogs on the channel are authored by well-known small business folks, some are written by people you may not be familiar with. All of them have much to say and teach about marketing a small business.
14. DIY Marketers® Blog
This is a full service small business marketing blog offering advice on not just marketing but trends, lead generation, content marketing and book reviews. DIYMarketers is committed to helping small business owners do less marketing so they can make more money.
15. ThriveHive®
Posting about 5x a week, this blog provides digital marketing solutions for small to medium sized businesses. Read tips, information and actionable advice in all things marketing—blog, email, social media, website, online advertising, and branding.
Blogs for financial information
16. SmartBiz Loans® Small Business Blog
The blog you’re reading right now should be added to your list! The SmartBiz Loans Small Business Blog features content about getting SBA loan ready, preparing for the loan process, small business marketing tips, everything you need to know about credit and more. Content is published daily and includes guest posts from experts in their fields. Our blog has been awarded several distinctions including FitSmallBusiness Best Small Business Blog and Best Financial Blog along with a Top 100 Small Business Blogs distinction from Feedspot.
Small Business Bonfire isn’t just a blog. It’s described as a social, educational and collaborative community for entrepreneurs that provides insight through a blog, weekly newsletter and online community. New content is published daily usually focused on financing a business, financial technology and budgeting expertise.
18. The Small Business Administration Financing Blog
The SBA not only guarantees low-cost loans for small businesses across the US, it offers a wealth of information for every entrepreneur from startup to established. The financing blog should be stop number one if you’re seeking low cost funds to grow your enterprise.
19. American Express® OPEN
Financial experts tackle topics ranging from saving money to increasing cash flow to expanding your business. There’s also a robust online forum where you can post questions or comments.
Blogs written by celebrities
Seth Godin is a marketing guru and author of several bestsellers on marketing including Permission Marketing along with books on entrepreneurship, like The Icarus Deception. On Seth's Blog, Godin offers tips for many different categories geared to the current and future business owner. His posts are short and sweet but packed with actionable insight.
21. Guy Kawasaki's® Blog
A successful businessman and author, Guy Kawasaki gained notoriety for his work with Apple in the ‘80s. He’s revered as a thought leader in entrepreneurship, marketing, and PR. A lot of content is towards tech startups but the information he provides reaches other industries as well.
22. Chris Brogan's® Blog
In short, Chris Brogan’s Blog offers insight and information about how to successfully run a business – despite hitting speed bumps in the road. His journey has been a rollercoaster and he’s gained a great understanding of the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Additional resources for business owners
Interested in more applicable information? The SmartBiz Small Business Blog has more educational content. Check out the following posts:
- Continuing Education for Small Business Owners
- We’ve outlined easy ways you can continue to build knowledge that can help you run and grow your business. Included is information on classes, webinars and online resources to explore.
- Favorite Business Books from the SmartBiz Executive Team
- The SmartBiz team has tripled over just a few years. These books have guided SmartBiz executives as they scale a startup business in the competitive FinTech field.
Interested in starting a blog for your business?
Blogging does take time, energy, and a lot of thought to do it right. Of course, you can always bring on a freelancer and delegate your blog content and distribution. Despite the effort, here are big ways a blog can benefit your business in 2022.
- Drives traffic to your website and long term results
- Blog content can be repurposed for social media
- Convert traffic into leads
- Helps link building
Another timely reason to blog in 2022 is to share important company information with your target audience. You’ll want to let consumers know that you’re open for business and how you’re addressing safety and other pandemic related issues. Learn tips and strategies here: Blogging for Your Small Business.
