You are considering starting a blog this year, but aren’t sure what to write about, how long it should be, or how often it should be posted. This may seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be broken down into bite size pieces that you can either do on your own or can hire someone to help you.
To get ideas for your blog think about the questions clients have asked you over the years. That should you give some insight into what they are interested in getting more information on. You might also look at other blogs in your industry or base it on an article you’ve read that would interest your audience.
Success in Blogging Takes Time and Effort
To be successful with your blog you must:
- Understand your client base. What information is going get their attention?
- Create valuable, informative and entertaining content.
- Use your key words—words that your potential clients would type into the search box to find you or companies like you.
- Your blog should be at the very least 300 words in length, if not longer. The search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) prefer long-form content (over 2000 words), but this does not have to be a steady diet. So periodically write a blog with over 2000 words. However, don’t write 2000 words of fluff. Make sure the added content is valuable and informational.
- Be consistent in posting your blogs. Larger companies may post a new blog daily, but they have staff who do it for them. Start by creating a blog once a month, and if that’s all you can do that’s fine. In time see if you’re able to post twice a month or weekly. Do what works for you and your clients.
- Monitor the blog’s analytics to determine who is reading it, what their interests are, the comments they have posted, and if and how they have shared the information.
- Use distribution channels that will best reach your targeted market. For example, if you know your audience is composed of individuals who are most likely to use Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn, then these would be prime places to post a link directed to your blog or article. Or if the audience is (ahem) more seasoned, you may include a press release or possibly write an article for print that directs people back to the blog or to the site on which the material resides.
- Periodically re-evaluate what has worked and what hasn’t and adjust your content accordingly.
- Encourage people to share the posts or articles with members of their online groups. This is a free and easy way to expand readership.
- Guest blog on other’s blogs. Contact the owner of a blog who may have audience members interested in your product for service and ask if they would allow you to post a guest blog, another inexpensive way of sharing the information. Your blog is an extension of your business. By sharing your knowledge, you are establishing yourself as the expert, the go-to person for your product or service.
Robin Kellogg specializes in working with business owners, like you, who want marketing content that captures the unique value you offer to reach more clients, have more impact, and escalate your business growth. We’d love to hear from you! You can reach us at 818-631-6848 (C), (818) 993-5468 (O) or via email at robin@yourwritingresource.com.
