Are you a blogger? Have you ever wondered how you can improve blogging and get more customers? Today I’ll share another great article from Copyblogger. This article was written by Henneke.
Let’s not pussyfoot around it.
Blogging is a lot of work. Hard work.
Generate new blog post ideas. Write weekly content. Promote posts via social media and email.
At times, we all wonder whether our blogging efforts are paying off. Do we need to keep plugging away? Write more? Promote more?
The thought of quitting might even creep up now and then. Wouldn’t it be nice to stop worrying about your next blog post? And have some extra time to go out with friends? Or to read a book?
But the benefits of writing a business blog can be tremendous. Career-changing.
A blog can generate search traffic, help build your authority, and generate leads. Your blog forms the nerve center of your social media activities.
Many case studies exist of companies and solo-entrepreneurs whose blogs fuel their businesses. In my case, blog posts generate almost all of my business leads.
So how can you make your business blog a raving success? How can you engage your readers? And win business? Without working yourself to death?
In today’s blog post, I’ve collected the best advice to streamline your content creation, to engage your readers, and charm potential clients so that they come begging to work with you.
Sound good?
Let’s start with eight quick tips to save you time by speeding up your blog writing process.
How to streamline your content creation
- Commit to a publishing schedule. Plan it so that it works for you and for your readers. Don’t overstretch yourself. You don’t have to publish daily.
- Keep a list of blog post ideas. Whenever clients ask you questions, add them to your list.
- Outline your posts. Because it prevents you going into myriad irrelevant directions, and speeds up your writing and editing.
- Follow proven blueprints. Don’t waste your time reinventing the wheel. Most blog posts follow straightforward structures.
- Start writing early. The best content evolves over time.
- Have a spare post ready for publication. For when life overtakes.
- Use a kitchen timer. It will help you focus. Write for 30 minutes before rewarding yourself with a brief walk or a cup of tea.
Streamlining your content is good (of course!).
But don’t make blogging a speedwriting match. Blog to help and delight your readers.
Shall we have a look at how?
How to woo readers with your content
When you use your blog to spread your sales messages, you may struggle to find readers. You might not win the clients you’re looking for. And your blog may remain a lonely voice whispering quietly into the wind with no one paying attention.
Most people aren’t interested in your sales messages. Most people aren’t even interested in your business. They want to know what’s in it for them.
To gain business with your blog, stop thinking like a salesman and start acting like your reader’s mentor …
- Know your audience. Understand their desires, their secret wishes, and their dreams. Learn about what they’re struggling with, so you can help.
- Define your blog’s purpose. Decide who you want to help to achieve what. On my blog, for instance, I teach small business owners to create persuasive content so they can win business.
- Don’t chase clicks with hyperbolic headlines. Write for your clients and prospects, not for faceless clicks. In the words of Tom Martin, “Chase customers, not clicks.”
- Don’t be afraid to alienate some. Develop a stronger bond with the people who are right for your business.
- Study the masters. Learn what makes content boring or riveting by analyzing other blog posts.
- Write when you feel enthusiastic. Because your energy is contagious.
A salesman wonders how to get his next sale. A mentor cares about his students. He wants to help them get ahead and live a more fulfilled life.
Your reader will immediately notice whether you’re an eager salesman or a mentor-style blogger.
Take the mentor’s role on your blog and you’ll win more business.
On my next post, I’ll share the rest of the tips.
ARTICLE SOURCE: This content is syndicated news that can be used for your research, and we hope that it can help your productivity. This content is for educational purposes and is not made for any kind of commercial purposes of this blog.
