I don't have a blog but as a blog follower of many different businesses I find it interesting to include things other than what you do. So little personal blogs of what you've done that day, anything you have planned, things you like, so the person reading gets to know you a little better as a person rather than just a Bookkeeper.
Blogging, a bit like book-keeping, is something that many people think is straight forward and easy to do well. However, its not until you start, that you realise that building a website that generates business is something that takes time and dedication.
The great thing is that, if done well, a search engine optimised site can be a cheap but very effective way to generate business.
My tips would be:
1.) Read blogs about blogging - start with quality sites such as Copyblogger.com, ProBlogger.net and DailyBlogTips.com
2.) Your choice of blogging platform is important. If you can, host your own blog using free blogging software from Wordpress.org. This will be one of the many factors that help you rank well in the search engines. You will need your own hosting account and domain name for which there is a modest cost.
3.) Online, content is king. Your aim is to write articles that will be of interest to people who will eventually become your customers. So there is no point blogging about things like changes in government policy or tax regime. Many bookeeping and accountancy practices sites write articles about this sort of thing and, being so general, I don't think it helps generate local customers.
4.) Google loves regularly updated sites - set yourself a blogging routine to help drive your sites up the rankings.
5.) Finally, a website can take 6 - 9 months to stabilise its position in the search engines. So don't expect to benefit from search engine traffic from the start.
This is just skimming the surface, so you may want to join a friendly blogging forum - if so, I suggest Bloggeries.com/forum/ .
Good luck with your new blog.
Ray
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
My main tip would be not to copy and paste articles. It is illegal and you will get found out.
This comes from the fact that today I have found someone that has copied 5 of my articles, literally copy and paste. I use copyscape and it found it. Legal action is being taken!
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Phil Hendy, The Accountancy Mentor
Are you thinking of setting up your own practice or have you set up and need some help?
If so a mentor may be the way forward - feel free to get in touch and see how I can assist you.
@ Phil, I can sympathise, I once had my entire website (an old one, a few years ago) copied, every page, word and punctuation mark. The only thing different was the contact details. I asked them to change it, which they didn't. So, I contacted their web-hosters and pointed out that it was a verbatim copy - within 30 minutes they had checked it, emailed me back to confirm they agreed it was a copyand taken down the website.
So, I would second that you must be original.
Also, there is certain amount of "blog etiquette", such giving proper credit both to the author/blogger that you are quoting AND giving a "hat tip" the third party (if there is one) that brought your attention to the material you are quoting).
Have a look at goldenmarketing.typepad.com and bookmarklee.co.uk who both share their opinions of accountants' blogging.
I think one of the key things is consistency. Make sure you blog regularly. It is well worth having a 'bank' of blog articles you can call upon when time is tight, which are not time sensitive. Then, when you are busy, you avoid not posting anything for 3-4 weeks.
I think one of the key things is consistency. Make sure you blog regularly. It is well worth having a 'bank' of blog articles you can call upon when time is tight, which are not time sensitive. Then, when you are busy, you avoid not posting anything for 3-4 weeks.
Totally agree with that, it is the most difficult thing to do, especially when it is just you on your own.
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Phil Hendy, The Accountancy Mentor
Are you thinking of setting up your own practice or have you set up and need some help?
If so a mentor may be the way forward - feel free to get in touch and see how I can assist you.
One option is to get a content writer. There are plenty of content writing businesses that have sprung up to support bloggers who can't blog as much as they would like to.
Two content writing businesses I have heard of (but never used) are ContentNow.co.uk and Wait.co.uk.
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
