This year is coming to a close and next year is just over the horizon. It’s time to start retooling the company’s blog to build more community and generate more leads. Here are five elements that are sure to rocket the company’s bog to the next level.
Write Headlines That Captivate, Cultivate and Seduce
With so many information sources for one to consume on the Internet the post’s title has to do the heavy lifting in attracting the reader’s attention. Blog titles that are given little thought generate little interest. At times more thought needs to be put into constructing a captivating title than writing the article itself. The title of the post is what draws the reader into the story. Here are a few examples that were found while trolling Mashable:
- 5 Crucial Mobile Advertising Tactics for Small Businesses
- Feds Probe Tesla After Electric Car Fires
- The Mother of a Murdered, 7 Years later
- Spotify vs. Bandcamp: Which is More Band-Friendly
Each headline screams – Read Me!
Note: Links to the actual Mashable articles were intentionally left out. We didn’t want the reader, that’s you, to wander off.
Be Original – Create Your Own Audience
A writer is faced with two choices. She can either write to create a brand new audience or steal readers from other blog writers. Either way, this only happens is if the blog content is original, unique, written from a fresh perspective. Saying what others have already hashed and rehashed or providing links to other people’s insights defeats the purpose of blogging at all.
Before wiring on a topic, search the Internet to see what’s already been said. Look for gaps in the discussion. Where can you add a fresh point of view? Perhaps offer a course of action that may not be seen as mainstream but intriguing.
Never Stop Delivering Value
Readers are investing their time reading your stuff. They’re looking for a payoff. What’s in it for them? How will reading your remedy advance their cause? Make sure the solutions offered are timely, practical, proven and measurable. Don’t make statements that cannot be backed up. Use expert corroboration whenever possible, if a case study can shared all the better.
Remember, before you can offer a solution you have a good understanding of the problem. Make sure to lay a good foundation before building your case.
Consider adding links to other authoritative sources to extent the conversation. Readers appreciate any efforts you put forth in helping them find out more about a particular subject.
Keep The Spotlight On The Reader
Yes, it’s your blog, but it’s all about the reader. If the reader wanted to know more about you they’d check your autobiography out of the local library.
Limit the number of times word such as “we”, “us” and “our” are used during the writings.
If you’re writing about mistakes that were made share your owe story and how you overcame the barriers. Don’t come off infallible. Sharing the bad times (in the right way) builds unity and empathy. The reader thinks, hey this guy knows what I’m going through.
Make Sure The Content Is Actionable
Blogs are all about building community, but many times they’re also about marketing the company’s products or services.
It’s important to not be over salesy, but there’s nothing wrong with being strategic in your selling approach.
If the reader is supposed to take some action, then make sure that occasion takes place.
End each post with a thought-provoking question. Questions such as, “Have I covered all the bases?” “Did I leave anything out?” or “Did this solution suit your needs?” beg a response from the reader.
I’ll end this post using my owe advice.
Did these five killer ingredients propel your blog to the next level?
