Does a Virtual Assistant Need a Blog?

To Blog, or Not to Blog, That is the Question

Question

I have been researching the Virtual Assistance Industry for quite some time now and notice that most well-known and well-established VA’s have blogs.  Is this a critical component for my business success?

Rochelle, Modesto, CA

Answer

There is no hard and fast rule on this.  However… I do recommend that as you gain experience and confidence in your industry that you begin to speak about it and share your knowledge. And this is another “however”; unless you are willing to put in the time and effort required to update your business blog with great content, it is better not to have a blog than to have one that hasn’t been updated in months.

• Blogging demonstrates true commitment and passion to your industry.
• By writing knowledgeable and insightful articles you are building your reputation and creating a name for yourself within your industry or niche. A great blog can position your firm as thought leaders, creating greater authority within your industry.
• Blogging allows you to build your network, and let’s face it, people do business with those they know.
• Ideas spread. Blogging is viral. A properly built blog will notify Twitter of new posts, allow readers to “re-tweet” or share the post with their connections or communities, and subscribe to your feed.
• Blogging allows you to remind people that you and your products/services exist. Research shows that blogs are influencing purchasing decisions, which is critical for your VA practice.

A Few Things to Think About

If you are still on the fence about blogging,  here are a few things you can do to overcome your doubts.

1. Start a group blog with several authors to spread the workload. Do you have several team members or other Virtual Assistants that you work with? Arrange with them to share the responsibilities of publishing great and informative content.
2. Recruit guest bloggers whose work you respect.
3. Offer to write a blog post or two for a thought leader in your industry. The offer may, or may not, be accepted but you will never know unless you try!
4. Monitor popular blogs, news sources and events in your industry or niche and respond to what others are saying about the topics.  In other words, join the conversation.
5. Be sure to create a gravatar that will help people identify your posts on blogs and web forums.

To train with Denise Griffitts to become a highly technically savvy, highly paid, highly sought-after Virtual Assistant please visit Virtual Assistance University.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Denise Griffitts found on this Website as long as Denise Griffitt’s name and contact information is included. Denise Griffitts, Virtual Assistance Industry Expert, http://virtualassistanceuniversity.com, info @ virtualassistantindustry.com.