Feeling daunted by your limited knowledge of computers? Hosted blogs require little know-how and the beauty of a blog is that there is plenty of room for growth. Start with the basics and go from there. Need another reason?

Blogs Have the Potential To Boost Your Business

Very few dance studios have well-maintained blogs so any research on this is limited, but there is potential for blogs to actually generate business. Blogs offer fresh and continually updated content which boosts search engine ranking.

People enjoy returning to sites that have something new to offer and allowing these people to interact gives them yet another reason to visit. Links from other sites and blogs to your blog can act as word-of-mouth advertising and blogging can connect your studio to people from all over the world. This could open up opportunities for you and your students that perhaps you've never imagined.

The blog is replacing traditional websites because they fluctuate, have motion, and give authors and readers alike a chance to interact. While it is true that not many people are currently blogging or using blogs to their full potential, blogging is becoming more mainstream. Marketing experts are encouraging their companies to venture into this realm for that reason. When eventually everyone else catches on, you and your studio will be one step ahead.

Like dance itself, it does take time to build a quality blog.

If you do decide to try one of the free, hosted blogs, it is not recommended that you begin during the busiest part of your season. Allow yourself some time to do a bit of research, both online and in the "real world." In the end, you may find that hiring someone to design and/or setup a professional, stand-alone blog is worth the cost to you in time saved.

If you already have a professional website, talk with your designer or web-master about adding a blog. Either way, when you consider that the risk and monetary investment of creating a blog is very low, there is really no reason not to give blogging for your dance studio a try.

Yes, learning something new can be intimidating but, were you encouraging a new dance student who was feeling the same way, you would probably tell him/her to just go for it! So, what are you waiting for?

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Nichelle Strzepek holds a B.A. in Dance from Slippery Rock University, has taught and performed professionally for over 10 years and has danced nearly all of her life. Her inspiration for beginning a blog was fueled by her desire to maintain a connection to dance and "teach" outside of a studio classroom when she first became a mom a little over a year ago.

A love of writing and passion for sharing her love and knowledge of dance keeps the flame burning as she continues to explore the world of internet technologies. Her blog, Dance Advantage presented its inaugural post in April 2008 and has grown rapidly in that short time.

As she balances motherhood, a performing and teaching career, she hopes to expand her achievements as a writer as well. Nichelle lives in Houston, TX and you can find out more about her and read her blog at DanceAdvantage.net

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