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How do blogging and dropshipping go together?

Or do they?

My experience with drophipping and blogging actually started way back in April 2005.  My first blog was more an “after thought” that I only set up because my Arizona SEO friend recommended it.

Since then, I’ve come to firmly believe that without a consistent blog presence, an eCommerce business can’t survive amongst younger, more “socially savvy” online marketers.

Blogging is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to promote your dropshipping products. Blogs do so many things for your eCommerce business.

What a Blog Can do for an Ecommerce WebsiteAttract customersEstablish trustCreate product value

Darren Rowse has this to say about selling products on a blog:

As bloggers trying to make a few dollars from our online activity many of us get stuck thinking about making money by slapping ads on our blogs – but in doing so perhaps we’re doing the equivalent of busking for tips (not the perfect illustration I know). I know I’ve fallen into that trap myself over the years but in working to develop products to sell I’ve seen a variety of benefits including:

Revenue

Credibility/Authority

Opportunities

Deepen Relationships with Readers

Lengthens Relationships with Readers

Accelerated Learning

Traffic

To illustrate even more, let’s analyze Meaghan Mountford’s blog:

The Decorated Cookie blog is classy and effective.  The lady who runs it regularly posts recipes and simple directions for making fancy decorated cookies.  She includes plenty of pictures, and her blog is clean and well-designed.

On the side she includes clear links to purchase her book or visit her shop.  At the shop she sells cookie-decorating kits to make the projects on her blog.

Why is her blog so effective at selling products?1. Provides value for free

People visit her site for the free recipes and directions.  They subscribe to her blog, visiting time and time again to see the new posts, and they send the links to friends.

Maybe they don’t buy her cookbook or her decorating kits the first time they visit, but they keep coming back to see the new recipes and eventually she hooks them with a super cute mustache cookie-cutter or a fondant set and they make a purchase.

2. Establishes trust and professionalism

Meaghan obviously knows what she’s talking about.  Her cookies are attractive and professional and her impressive credentials are posted in her bio, so you believe her when she says you should use this particular cookie scraper or that particular food coloring.

Oh, they happen to be for sale on her website?  Well then I guess I’ll buy them.

3. Creates a bond with the customer

Meaghan’s blog is well-written, warm, and inviting.  By reading her articles you come to know a little bit about her and to like her.  She includes a few personal details, like the fact that she has a two-year old son, and soon you want her to succeed, you want to give her your business and recommend her to friends.

But remember, she always maintains her professionalism.  Mentions of kids and cats = good, details about your husband’s vasectomy = too much information.

4. Tasteful use of keywords + Attracts inbound links

If you type  the words “cookie decorating blog” into your Google search bar, The Decorated Cookie site is the first one that pops up.  Getting your website to the top of the search engine response pages is one of the most important things you can do to bring in business.

Why is Meaghan’s website at the top of the list?  First, because she has plenty of relevant keywords in her blog posts, and second because her blog attracts inbound links.  Inbound links are when a website posts a link to yours; they’re very important for search engine optimization (SEO).

How can you get inbound links?  By having valuable content on your website that people want to share.  Most people probably link to her site so they can pass along her recipes and tips.  I linked to her because she’s such a great example of e-business marketing.

How can you create a successful blog for your dropshipping product?

Obviously products that are craft or project-oriented are easy to create a blog for.  Cake-decorating, rug-hooking, pottery-painting, wood-working, jewelry-making, and sewing all fall in this category.  However, you can create a blog like Meaghan’s around almost any product.  All you need is a subject you can write educational articles on, and that could be anything from fishing to chess to fitness to parenting.

The important thing is to write quality articles and to post regularly so people keep checking back.  You provide something of value – information on how to deal with a tantrumy toddler or how to find the perfect diaper bag – and in return people are motivated to purchase your baby carriers or  maternity clothes or toddler toys.

Nate Moller has helped thousands of new online entrepreneurs start an online business. He does SEO consulting for a variety of clients, including a wholesale dropshippers directory. He also works with clients to build their online reputation via social media marketing strategy. Follow him on Twitter @mollermarketing.

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