Content marketing metrics are an essential part of the content planning process. Whilst content marketing…
Do you want to improve how you write a blog for your business?
Here are 21 tips on how to improve your blogging skills and create clickable content that your audience will love. I’ve included some valuable tips and the best tools to help you optimize your content, make it Google-friendly and get it in front of your target audience.
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There are 21 easy to follow steps that will improve how you write, rank and get more traffic.
My father always used to lecture me about getting the foundations right, getting the research or work done so you know what you’re doing.
While that was good advice, I often ignored it and learnt the hard way (luckily no serious damage was done only some minor accidents, e.g. a treehouse that fell down with friends and me in it).
His approach did make sense though, despite my impulse to just jump in and do things.
If you want to learn how to write a blog then you need to understand your customers.
Moreover, when you write a blog you need to add value through your writing and think of ways you can help your target audience.
One of the most common mistakes it to blindly leap into blogging and gush out all the knowledge you’ve stored up over the years.
There is no doubt it’s valuable, but you need to position it correctly and put into context so that it is also relevant to search engines. That way, you will get more traffic, more click and more leads.
However, it does take time to get it right and for your content to be on target with your customers. You need to be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them.
Let’s begin, here are 21 tips to help you write a blog for your business and get better results.
When you just exploring how to write a blog, you can easily spread yourself too thin. That leads to diluted content and ultimately you’ll get frustrated at the lack of traction with your audience.
Also, you will not get the results you are looking for – staying focused is critical.
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Understand where your customers spend time online and you will be able to listen to them and connect in the right places.
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Set a budget for the tools – there are some free social media management tools, the better ones do cost, but they are worth the investment. Check the resource section for more social media tools.
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When you are trying to master how to write a blog always put your self in the shoes of your customers. Listen to their problems – what information are they searching for, what service problems do they have, is their misunderstanding about a product or service, do they have wishlists…
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This is where you need to be realistic and match what you intend to offer as a product or service. Ideally, you match your services or product with how you can help your customers solve a problem and/or get a job done, e.g. better, faster, at a lower cost. Or do you you help them improve their skills, knowledge, ability to make money, be healthier, fitter, find love…
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Take into account what your competitors are blogging about, what topics they focus on.
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What do you stand for and why should people follow your – what is the core message that will attract and be relevant to your audience.
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This is the critical part. If you are going to invest in blogging set your self some clear goals for the results. What do you want to achieve (be realistic) and what business benefit will it deliver e.g. 5 leads per week.
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Plan in the strategy that is going to work for you – how your blog content fits to your overall marketing plan and communications mix.
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A good blog needs a good home. Invest in a WordPress blog that is going to fit your brand and be easy for people to engage with.
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As an example, my homepage my home page score for mobile:
For desktop:
I know I’ve probably overburdened the point. But Google does use mobile page load time as a ranking factor.
Your blog needs to be able to turn traffic into buying customers and to do that you need to have the right marketing functionality. Looking good is not enough.
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Key actions:
This is probably one of the most important steps. An editorial calendar will help stay focused and give you a good schedule to work to. It is even more important if you have more than 1 person in your business blogging.
Key actions:
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Your titles make the difference between a click and no-click a share and just a read. Spend time coming up with awesome titles.
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Write your blogs and rewrite them. Find your own personal voice and practice – it takes to develop a writing style that is right for you. Write as if you are talking to your marketing persona and helping them.
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You have to promote your blog and ensure it is found.
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Comments are the gold of blogging and so actively invite comments and always respond promptly to them.
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With each blog post, you move one step closer to achieving your goals. Track your metrics and review regularly.
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Some blog posts will do well whilst others may not achieve the results you had hoped for. Learn from your spikes and dips and continually refine your editorial calendar to improve titles, content and how you reach and attract your audience. Importantly make sure you are turning your blog into tangible business results.
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This may seem obvious but have fun, enjoy it and if you are passionate about helping people and equally enthusiastic about your business your blog will do well. Experiment by adding in different media and help to make your business human. Your customers will appreciate being part of your tribe. How do you write a blog?
After taking into account this tips, you might want to track your shares, your SEO and how well each post performs.