So, you’ve officially decided to write a blog once a month for your company. Congratulations! Studies show that writing a blog provides dynamic and interesting content on your website, assists with SEO and provides a mechanism for potential customers to learn more about the benefits of window film.
But now it’s just you and a blank white screen. The curser is blinking – waiting for you to start typing…
Have you hit that “writer’s block” on where to begin? Don’t worry. We’ve all been there. Here are some tips for planning what to write about.
List Your Goals
Have a clear understanding about what the goals are with your blog first. This will help you measure your success and keep your blog relevant.
Here are some common blog goals:
- Increase Sales
- Educate about products and services
- Gain exposure (drive more visitors to your website)
- Increase SEO (search engine optimization)
- Increase website engagement (provide an opportunity for people to comment and like your blog – a setting most blog platforms offer)
- Lengthen website traffic stay (people will stay longer on your website with dynamic, interesting content)
When you know what your blog goals are, this will help you to decide what kind of content you want to develop.
Create an Editorial Calendar
Whether you decide to use a wall calendar, planner book, simple spreadsheet or digital calendar like Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar – we recommend that you create an editorial calendar.
This calendar will be your resource and guide for content.
On the calendar, make note of the following:
- Topics to cover each month.
- Important deadlines (when to have a first draft written, publish date)
- Important holidays/occasions (such as National Window Film Day, Collector Car Appreciation Day, Building Safety Month, your company’s anniversary and more).
More advanced calendars can even include:
- Writer (Person assigned, if that is not you)
- Headline
- Photo/Image Details
- Corresponding Social Media Posts, including post language and deadline to make the post.
- Audience Persona (definition of who the blog is written for)
- Buying Stage (Is this for someone at the top, middle or bottom of the sales funnel)
This calendar will then become your guide. You’ll know – by date – when content is due and needs to be ready to be posted. It also will help you make decisions in advance, which saves you time and reduces frustration.
Calendar Date Ideas for Window Film
There are some key dates in our industry that are important to keep in mind. Here are some to consider (which might get your creative juices flowing):
- First Day of Spring (Groundhog Day is Feb. 2)
The sun is out! Tell the story about window film and skin protection.
- April – National Window Film Day
Sponsored by the International Window Film Association, National Window Film Day is a time to showcase our industry and the impact we make. For window film companies, this is our own special holiday.
- April – Earth Day and National Arbor Day
Typically within a week of each other, these two nationally recognized holidays provide an opportunity to showcase the sustainability (i.e. energy savings, cost savings, warranties) of 3M™ Window Film.
- May – Building Safety Month
Hosted by the International Code Council every year, May’s Building Safety Month is a great time to tell the story of LEED certification and window film.
- June – Hurricane Season begins
The official start of Hurricane Season. However, companies in Florida should shy away from indicating that window film can hurricane proof your home.
Celebrated by SEMA, this is a time to showcase collector cars and their legacy. Does your window film company provide automotive window film for classic cars?
This is a great opportunity to talk about 3M™ Safety & Security Window Film and the benefits for school campuses.
- The First Day of Winter
Winter is here! Talk about the benefits of 3M™ Thinsulate Window Film and temperature control.
What About Artwork or Photos?
Adding images to your blog provides a more intriguing content and showcase your company’s brand message. However, it is recommended that you use images that you obtained legally, with proper attribution.
If you are using photographs that were taken by your company, we recommend getting a photo release form signed by the customer/homeowner/vehicle owner. Here is a resource for photo release form templates.
If you are pulling images from the internet, it is important that you are getting them for a credible source and you have permission to use them. Images are copyrighted. Learn more about copyright fair use from Sara Hawkins’ Social Media Examiner blog.
Setting goals, creating an editorial calendar and choosing the right artwork can assist you in creating your blog. Questions? Want more information? Accent Distributing provides marketing assistance for its 3M™ Authorized Dealers. To learn more, contact Inside Sales at [email protected] or at (941) 922-5268.
