What would you tell this professional about starting a blog?

I got an email today from someone in Switzerland wondering if she should start a business blog:

Dear Patsi:

I am a counsellor and life Coach based in Geneva, Switzerland. I have had my own practice for 11 years, but now I would like to take it to the next level and increase my client base. I have been thoroughly intrigued by your views that Blogs are the way to  go  "Fishing"!

I specialize in the field of eating  disorders anorexia and bulimia. One of the things I want  to do is get the word out to a maximum amount of people about the groups I run for the mothers and other family members of people suffering from anorexia.

Question: can you see blogging being used effectively for this or does this fall outside the topics most generally used?

Maureen Pilkington
Citadelle-counselling.ch

Here's my reply:

Maureen, most definitely. I'm sure if you do a search on the web you will find other professionals already blogging about this topic. This is a good thing for you, because joining in and commenting on other blogs is a way to get attention and get readers back to your own blog.

In fact, that is the best way to go about starting a blog in a topic: research on what's out there already. Look at what's being done that's effective, and what's not. There are usually many professionals AND amateurs out there in any niche. Some will be good, some not.

Remember that blogs started out as online diaries, but a business blog isn't about writing personal stuff, rather should be used as a marketing tool by building relationships, reporting case studies, sharing client successes and challenges.

It's the best way to get found, attract ideal clients, and establish your expertise. A website won't easily do what a blog will. Your business blog is a place to publish content, communicate your core values and beliefs and have a conversation with people who need your services.

What else would you tell someone about starting a blog for a private practice in Geneva?

Comments

[Teresa Hall]

I agree with you that a business blog is the way to go for Maureen. A blog is a terrific way for her to get the word out about anorexia and bulimia. Not only will a well planned educational blog help Maureen attract new clients, but it will also serve an incredible social value purpose as well. Eating disorders still carry such a taboo that many people keep them hidden until it is so deep into the disease they are seriously ill.

Insightful, accurate information into eating disorders can help both those who are ill and their family get help earlier in the situation.

Maureen should not only get a blog up and running, she should then get involved with Twitter and Facebook to further extend her reach.

Great post, Patsi!

[Violette]

I think it's definitely a good idea. If i were a client suffering from anorexia or bulimia i would want to work with a coach/therapist who was a good fit for me. Reading the blog of such a coach would give me a good idea if the coach's style felt right. It's much better than blindly looking in the yellow pages for some anonymous coach/counsellor! Having a helpful and informative blog will also establish you as an expert Maureen!

Cheers,
Violette

[Todd]

I do believe that creating a blog is a great way to move your professional career forward. But the talent, time and effort in building and maintaining a blog seems underestimated.

Now, for those of us without the attention span, the wit, or the ability to hold someone's attention in a blog format - instead of simply creating more dead space from another failed blog, maybe we could incorporate our business websites with our professional opinions and ideas.

Done right, this may increase the number of local hits and relevance to your business.

Just a thought.

[Patsi]

Boy, am I glad I asked you guys! You put it in ways that are helpful and insightful. Thanks, Todd, violette and Teresa1

[Maureen Pilkington]

Greetings from Switzerland.
Thanks a million to you Patsi and thank you to everyone out there for your input and your views.This is my very first experience of a blog . I feel strangely moved. I shall now make it my business to become much more familiar with "Twitter" , Facebook etc , as well as follow up on your other suggestions. I have a passion for helping people get out of the hell of eating disorders and feel that since I stumbled on Patsi quite by chance it has opened up a whole new world of options and possibilities. Again Patsi thank you for your incredible generosity in giving me so much of your time and for your kindness.
Maureen Pilkington
Geneva, Switzerland

[Russell]

Get comments on blogs dealing with fashion, health, teenageness (ok, not a real word ...!), etc, and write letters to the editor (reacting to any appropriate features or stories they ran) and articles in your local newspapers highlighting your blog and experience ...