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[Treehouse Presents - Quick Tips: Blogging - Freelances & Businesses with C.C. Chapman]

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Hey everybody. I'm C.C. Chapman, author of Content Rules.

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In that book, I talk about a bunch of ways you can use content to promote yourself, and these tips are especially valuable

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for freelancers and small businesses.

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One of the most effective tools is a blog.

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Starting up a blog is a fairly simple process these days.

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But what's not so simple is figuring out what to write about and keeping the content pipeline full.

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First of all, blogging is not the same as social networking. What you can provide in a well thought-out and prepared blog post

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is totally different than firing off a random tweet or Facebook update.

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Posting great information in the form of research, articles, interviews, photo galleries, and other announcements

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allows you to present content in a way that would be valuable to your customers.

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Also, when you write blog posts, are you writing them for yourself or for your readers? Because there's a big difference.

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You have to consider the value this content will have for existing potential customers.

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Providing real value through content means anticipating needs and questions and addressing concerns before they ever get raised.

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Many successful blogs have taken otherwise average topics, and through some insightful posts and case studies,

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open the eyes of new customers.

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When you share great ideas about what to do with your products or how your services can fit their needs,

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customers that need your help will find you.

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But you have to start by writing what you know.

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Don't pretend to be an expert on something you don't know because everybody will see right through it.

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For example, if you're new to one type of web-design framework, but you are more experienced with another,

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consider writing about the one you know best.

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Your knowledge and expertise will be reflected in what you write and customers will see how valuable it can be.

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So consider a blog when trying out new ways to present your content,

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understand the value it can have to generate new business, and write what you know.

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If you can do all that, you'll have a blog that's not only great to read, but also great for building your business.