If you have a blog then you understand the importance of updating it on a regular basis. Consistently updating your blog is an effective inbound marketing tactic. An updated blog can elevate you in search ranks, bring more visitors to your website and bring you more leads. In fact, according to Hubspot, businesses that blog get 55 percent more web traffic and 70 percent more leads than those that don’t. If you’re taking time out of your day to blog, make it count with these six steps.
- Publish original data – While this may not be a viable option for all of us, it’s a great technique to get a lot of engagement on your posts. If you’re the first to release enticing information, you’ll be the one to get the credit. That means loads of retweets and inbound links, great stuff to boost you in the search rankings. If this isn’t an option for your business, try pairing up with another to do a co-branded study.
- Be controversial – When used sparingly, this is a great tool to build buzz around your posts. If you have a strong opinion on a topic, share it from time to time. Your subscribers will appreciate your insight and even those who don’t agree with you will talk about what you said. It’s a win-win.
- Cover it first – If you pay attention to the news, you are probably able to tell when something is about to blow up on the Internet. Capitalize on those topics before everyone else does. That way when people are writing about the topic, they can use your post as a reference.
- Provide industry examples – Your blog readers don’t just want to hear from you, they like to get some outside perspective. By showing that an outside source is also writing about your topic, you add credibility to your post.
- Be entertaining – Think of your personal blog reading habits. If you’re reading a post that’s written like the encyclopedia, how likely are you to finish it? Be conversational in your posts and, when appropriate, provide humor throughout.
- Give it a clickworthy title – Most likely, the title of your post is the first thing a prospective reader will see. Make sure it’s enticing enough to get people to click on it. You get bonus points if they’ll go beyond just clicking and use it in a tweet as well.
Blogging can take precious time out of your busy day. Use these six steps to ensure you’re getting the bang you deserve for each post you put out there.
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Emma Walter is an account executive for WordWrite Communications. You can find her on Twitter @emmasreallytall.
