So, you want to get your blog off the ground? Definitely! Why would you be reading this otherwise? Whether you sell mainframe software or mangoes, writing with a focus on lead generation can be challenging. Where do you start? What do you write about? And how do you get it on your website?
Our genius SEO writers eat these questions for breakfast before punching a single key on their laptops. Our morning coffee is coloured with conversations about SEO keywords, SEM and a little bit about our favourite Netflix series, of course. So from us to you, here’s a comprehensive list of proven ways to write better blogs.
1. BUILD YOUR OWN BANK…OF TOPICS
Sitting at your laptop and thinking of topics to write about immediately is a sure-fire way to get frustrated. While inspiration might strike occasionally, it is way better to have a list of topics relevant to your brand at hand, to spark some great ideas. Add to this bank regularly, make withdrawals when you feel like and delete topics that are no longer relevant. Content marketing is all about relevance. Be sure to feature information that your readers will find helpful and engaging as well as keyword-rich content. This is how your blog ranks higher on Google!
2. THE POWER OF LISTS AND LISTICLES
Lists, bullets, sections. Whatever you call these little ‘bloglets’, inside your main blog, give your blog both an aesthetic sense of form. This helps readers to consume it easily and prevents eye fatigue that turns readers away. Breaking down the blog into these capsules also helps them pick the content that is most relevant to them. Content marketing has the most value if it is easily found and easily consumed. Also, Google’s keyword ranking algorithm loves has a soft spot for lists and listicles.
3. WRITE NOW, EDIT LATER
While you might be tempted to craft each sentence flawlessly, perfect grammar sometimes stunts creativity. Always write blogs in their entirety first, coming back later to smoothen out the rough edges. Also, get someone else to read, edit and proof your work to maintain objectivity. Creating great content isn’t a one person job and constructive feedback should always be welcomed!
4. PICTURE THIS… VISUALISE THAT!
Pairing your content with great photos or visuals is sure to spice up your blog. But do remember, while it might be tempting to check Google images, stay away! If you spend time making your content shine, you might as well invest in licensed stock photos from Shutterstock or Getty Images. They offer affordable subscriptions and some great search options to find the perfect photo for your blog!
Whether you sell mainframe software or mangoes, writing with a focus on lead generation can be challenging
5. GET YOUR WEBSITE BLOG-READY
If you are new to the world of content marketing, chances are your website blog is still in its infancy. Growing your website into a blog-ready offering means setting up a blog with organised blog categories in line with the overall style and functionality of your blog and the identity of your brand. Building your blog page also means reviewing your content and adding links throughout your blog to other areas of your website that can help readers discover more about your brand.
6. THE NAME’S DATA…META DATA
If you work with a great content marketing agency to build your website, they could work wonders optimizing your content pages for search engines. Often, company and user-published blogs ignore this step entirely, but one small step step for you can mean a giant leap for your blog. Meta data tags give you more traction in the SEO universe by letting keyword spiders, responsible for rankings, find your blog easily and rank it higher. Think of meta data as a lighthouse, guiding readers to the shores of your content in the vast expanse of the internet!
7. DON’T LET BLOGGING BECOME AN AFTERTHOUGHT
Last but not the least, don’t let blogging be that part of your to-do list that makes you groan. Content marketing is only as good as its consistency. It’s ok if you can’t get to it for a week or two, but don’t let months go by without a blog. If you find yourself lagging when it comes to blogging, consider working with professionals to generate relevant content that your readers will love. Now who could those writing professionals be? The people who wrote this blog, of course.
The next time you have a question in your mind about blogging and what goes behind this craft, drop us a line at info@wordhatter.com. We’ll be more than happy to help.
