Good question. If you're asking this question, then you probably already understand some of the positive benefits of blogging (it allows you to share information that only you know, it's easy to create posts and quickly publish them online, and search engines will find your content and make it easier for others to find you -- allowing you to better reach your target audience). You may also know that in your blog posts, you should try to use key words that relate to your particular area of expertise of interest, e.g., social media consulting, online marketing, small businesses, entrepreneurs -- so that search engines will more effectively capture your content. 

So back to the question, how to find the time for blogging... As with finding time to do anything, you need to set it aside. You may need to find a babysitter one evening so you can focus on writing. You may also need to put it in your schedule and block off your calendar. For example, write a blog post the first thing in the morning or before you eat lunch. Aim for posting at least once a week. If you make the time to blog consistently, then you will reach your audience more regularly. Fresh content will catch more fish (in other words, you will be able to attract more potential customers if you provide timely information).

Video marketing has been a rising trend, as more and more users are going online to view streamed content. Just as a picture is worth more than words -- a video can have even more impact on the viewer. By creating strong videos that are easily accessible to users, you will be able to engage more of your clients and prospects who are searching for your business or looking for the products/services you offer. We've heard that YouTube is the second most popular search engine (after Google). If there are so many people out there looking for videos, it would benefit the growth of your business to create some that your target population will be able to find.

Now, if you're asking this question about why you should get involved in YouTube, your next question will probably be "HOW can I get involved with YouTube"? 

First, you will want to learn how to make videos. Second, you will need to know what to do with those videos and how to get them on YouTube. A good resource is Stacia Hopkins' blog and her video training. In her guide for beginners, she explains how to outline an effective script in seven steps (from using a "hook" to closing with a call-to-action), offers recommended products and services related to video marketing, and provides a 10-step video-marketing checklist on what to do to start gaining "massive exposure." 

One way you can get out there, is to post a video about your small business in the My Business Story gallery. You can find an "amateur" video of Inkwhy by searching on YouTube for "Inkwhy, Inc." There are also more professional videos that provide advice on how to shoot your own videos, such as the one below.

Communities are important, as small business owners understand. As you work on building your presence online and through videos, having the support of others will help you get farther, faster.  Let's pool our resources, and help each other grow.