What would you tell this professional about starting a 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

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.