Since their creation in 1994, blogs have become one of the most popular content sources on the internet- and it’s no wonder!

They’re the ideal platform for sharing information, showcasing skills, engaging readers, and spreading brand awareness.

And that’s exactly why your business/brand/organization needs one.

Now remember, I’ve been blogging since 2013, so I have a bit of experience under my belt. For me, it’s opened up a ton of opportunities- especially with the reading, writing, and independent publishing community- and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without my blog.

There’s no telling what a committed blog could do for you!

However, you don’t have to take my word for it. Here are some statistics to prove that having a blog is a benefit- nay, a necessity- for your personal and professional growth.

Blogging Statistics

• 77% of all internet users read blogs.
• Content Marketing is 62% cheaper than traditional marketing
• Content Marketing can produce 3x more leads than a paid ad
• 60% of people will make a purchase after reading a blog post about it
• 75% of online shoppers use social media as part of their buying process
• Having a blog can increase your search ranking by over 430%
• Companies that blog get around 97% more links to their website
• Businesses that blog can experience up to twice the email traffic
• Personalized Calls to Action (CTAs) can increase conversion by over 200%
• Compelling writing can draw in seven times the traffic and boost brand recall
• Long-form articles can generate 9x more leads than short-form

I found these statistics at Ryan Robison and Nectafy. As you can see, the benefits of creating a free blog are almost too good to be true!

A few other benefits not mentioned are:

• It helps you strengthen your writing skills
• Lets you explore new niches and topics
• Provides new networking opportunities
• Boosts your creativity
• and more!

What more do you want?

Blog Creation

If your website is on WordPress (43% of all websites are- including this one!), you can build a blog from your dashboard. Create a page, add the blog block, and add content. It’s that easy!

If you use something other than WordPress, you may have to dig a little to add a blog feature. Or, you can use any number of free sites, such as Blogger, Squarespace, Wix, or- you guessed it- WordPress.

Blog Schedule

Now comes the hard part. For a blog to be successful, it needs to be consistent- a trait I’m apparently still working on. However, if you can figure out how many articles you want to post in a month and stick to it, you’ll have a consistent blog in no time.

Studies recommend around 3-5 a week for maximum traffic increase, but that can quickly become overwhelming. For now, maybe 1-2 a week until you’re more comfortable churning out content.

Also, try creating a content calendar that outlines every post, when they go live, and how long it takes to write them. Organization is often the key to preventing burnout, so the more detailed you are when creating your content calendar, the better.

Content Ideas

There’s no shortage of content ideas, and you can find some interesting and unique ones by checking local articles about your niche. However, some ideas are universal and can help fill the gaps when you need something quick.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Day in the Life
Give your audience a glimpse into your daily life, routine, or habits.

Frequently Asked Questions
Respond to your most popular questions and show your audience you’re listening.

Business Overview
Remind your audience who you are and why they should care about your business.

Goals
Share your goals, how you plan to achieve them, and what they mean for your audience.

Lists
Everyone loves a good list! It can be your favorite books, the best ways to get sunshine during the workweek, exercises for bad knees, music to listen to while you work, or the best paintbrushes for your money. Honestly, the sky’s the limit on list posts!

Tips and Guides
Tips and Guides are a great way to show your skills, build credibility, and share your knowledge.

Writing Updates
Entice your audience with a sneak peek at your current WIP, upcoming releases, or new ideas.

Conclusion

With 3.2 million new blog posts getting published a month, it’s easy to say that blogging is one of- if not THE- ideal platform for organic content.

And it’s hard to ignore when over 50% of marketers say they’d like to start over with a focus on blogging.

Blogging is essential for your professional (and personal) growth, audience engagement, brand recollection, search rankings, and traffic increase- and it’s FREE!

Well, it’s mostly free.

It may not cost money, but it does cost time and commitment. However, if you can spare a few hours a week to commit to your blog and do the research, you’ll be amazed at how beneficial it is!