You already know blogging boosts your credibility, exposure and drives traffic to your website, but you also know that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

How many times have you written a post only for no one to comment on it or share it with others?

It sometimes makes you wonder why you bother.

But if you’re not getting comments and shares, that’s telling you that there’s something not quite right with your posts.

You see, everything you write must be aimed at your reader, which is why its important to think about what they want to know before you start writing.

When you get a blinding flash of inspiration for your next blog masterpiece, ask yourself the following questions.

1. Does it target my audience?

You have a niche. Its the area of expertise you write about, but are you providing the type of content your audience wants? Is it answering their questions and offering them the valuable information they crave?

2. Does it give credibility?

When using facts and figures in your posts are you sure they’re right? Have you referenced them correctly?

If you use dodgy information someone will notice. When they do they will shout about it and your reputation will disappear down the toilet.

3. Is your content unique?

There is an argument that with all the content in the world, no one has a totally unique idea. Whether that’s true or not, everyone does have a unique way of putting their argument across.

Your audience wants to get to know you and that means developing your own style that they can fall in love with and follow to the ends of the earth. Your work will stand out, be instantly recognisable and therefore it will be a unique voice within your marketplace.

4. Is it useful?

Is what you’ve written worth reading? Will it add value to your readers? Will  they walk away having learnt something?

If it is useful they will share it.

5. Is it easy to understand?

The best thing you can do when writing your posts is hide your thesaurus. Always keep your language and sentence structure simple so your post is quick and easy to read.

6. Is it shareable?

Well, if you can tick all the boxes from 1 to 5, the chances are it is.

7. What are your goals?

Everything you write must be for your reader, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fulfil your own goals too such as driving traffic, promoting your name or getting more sign ups to your newsletter.

Next time you write a blog post think carefully about what you want to achieve and what value it will being to your readers.