Let’s talk blog – how long have you been blogging?
Whether you’re a virgin blogger or an old hand, it’s always helpful to stop and think about what you’re doing.
If you keep on doing the same old stuff, you run the risk of becoming vanilla. Your readers came to you because you were offering something different and interesting. If you don’t constantly up your game, they’ll get bored and wander off to find the next big thing in your industry.
So, if you want to stay on top, you must evolve.
How to write an influential blog for your readers
Lesson 1:
The best place to start is in the shoes of your readers. So, read one of your posts.
What do you make of it? Does it bore you? Do you feel it’s talking to you, or do you feel preached at?
Have you used ‘you’ and ‘your’, or is it all ‘I’ and ‘we?’ Even that little change will make a huge difference to engagement levels because you’re building rapport, drawing them in, and gaining their trust.
Lesson 2:
How does your post look?
Have you broken it up into short paragraphs? Have you used eye-catching images that make the reader stop and think?
Nothing is more unattractive in a blog than being confronted with a solid block of text. Very few people like reading from a screen, so if faced with something akin to War and Peace, they won’t bother reading it.
Using features that add interest are:
- Headings
- Subheadings
- Bulleted lists
- Images
Lesson 3:
Are you letting your readers wander off when they’ve finished reading?
Adding a call to action makes a huge difference. It doesn’t have to make a sale; it could ask them to sign up for your newsletter, read another related post, or leave a comment. Asking them to take action is involving them in your blog – it shows that their opinion matters to you.
Lesson 4:
This is where your subject matter comes into play.
I’m a copywriter, so when I started my blog, I decided all my posts would relate to the world of copywriting, marketing, and social media.
That way, when someone comes back to my blog, they have a fair idea of the kind of information they’ll find. If they want to find out about website copy or SEO, they know they can search for that term or check out my archive list, and they’ll find the information they need.
But if you start writing posts covering everything from dog grooming to politics, how will people know what they’ll find? Find your niche and stick with it – make yourself an authority in your field, and people will flock to you for your help and advice.
Lesson 5:
This one doesn’t have anything to do with your writing; it’s more concerned with the look of your blog.
If you create something that’s multi-coloured and full of ads, you’ll scare people away. Make yours a memorable brand by sticking with a couple of complementary colours. It’ll become instantly recognisable, so when your readers come back, it’ll be like slipping on a pair of comfortable slippers.
Blogging is a great way to help your SEO and to make a name for yourself on the internet.
Are you blogging regularly? Do you have a unique way of attracting visitors? Share your experiences by leaving a comment – go on, I’d love to hear what you have to say.