what small business owners should know about blogging

If you’re an industry veteran, chances are good that you have a lot to say about your product category, industry and company. Executives like you have seen everything during their careers. That puts you in a great position to blog.

A blog provides many advantages in B2B marketing. Blogging engages prospects, builds credibility, generates website traffic, and strengthens search engine results. In fact, companies that blog regularly generate 67% more leads per month than those that don’t, and B2B buyers say they read 3–7 blog posts before engaging with a sales rep. Blogging is no longer just an option—it’s a vital part of a modern B2B marketing strategy.

But here’s the challenge…some B2B executives don’t know how to start and maintain a blog. That’s the reason for this article—to provide insights on how to start a blog and how to make it sustainable.

B2B Blogging Shows Off Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Selecting topics for your blog posts can be challenging. The topics should address issues that are important to your target market. Go through customer correspondence and pay close attention to customer service calls to identify challenges your audience faces. These problems make excellent blog topics.

By consistently answering your customers’ most pressing questions, you position your company as a trusted advisor—not just a vendor. That kind of authority builds trust and shortens the sales cycle.

Crawl Before Walking

Start a collection of topics you’re passionate about when it comes to your profession, product, or industry. The collection doesn’t have to be extensive; a few ideas will do. Each topic can evolve into a short blog post.

The first step in writing is to outline. Think about the 3 or 4 main points you want to cover and build your draft from there. A post between 600 and 1,100 words is still ideal—long enough to demonstrate expertise, but not so long that readers lose focus.

Start as a Guest Blogger

If you’re not ready to launch your own blog, consider guest posting first. Identify industry blogs or association websites that welcome outside contributors. Look for content gaps and pitch articles that fill them. Guest blogging not only builds your credibility but also creates valuable backlinks that improve your website’s search rankings.

Ask a Pro

Don’t let the technical side hold you back. A web developer can add a blog feature to your company site with ease. Many content management systems, including WordPress, make publishing blog posts straightforward.

If writing isn’t your strength, work with a professional content creator who can capture your voice and bring consistency to your blog strategy. They can help you refine your message, structure posts for engagement, and keep your publishing schedule on track.

What’s the Role of AI in B2B Blogging?

Since I first wrote about blogging in 2017, one of the biggest shifts has been the adoption of artificial intelligence as a tool for marketers. AI doesn’t replace your insights, but it can make the process of blogging far more efficient.

Here are some ways professionals are using AI in their blogging strategy today:

– Idea Generation: AI can quickly analyze trending topics, customer questions, or competitor content to suggest blog ideas tailored to your industry.
– Drafting Content: AI tools can create outlines, suggest headlines, or generate first drafts—giving you a head start while you focus on refining and adding expertise.
– SEO Optimization: AI-powered platforms help identify the right keywords, recommend internal links, and optimize formatting for search engines.
– Content Repurposing: A single blog post can be turned into LinkedIn updates, newsletters, or social media captions with AI assistance.
– Efficiency & Consistency: Instead of struggling to produce one article per month, AI can help you scale your content calendar and stay consistent.

The key is balance: your expertise ensures authenticity and thought leadership, while AI ensures speed, optimization, and consistency. Together, they make blogging a more powerful B2B marketing tool than ever before.

Ready to Start Blogging Smarter?

B2B blogging remains one of the most effective ways to build authority, attract leads, and strengthen your marketing strategy. With the right mix of human insight and AI-powered tools, you can consistently publish content that resonates with your audience and drives measurable results.

At Affinity Strategic Marketing, we help business owners and executives develop content strategies that work—whether that means guiding you through your first posts, uploading & distributing your blog posts on social media, or integrating AI to scale your efforts.

Let’s talk about how to make your blog a growth engine for your business.