Ever wonder how some of those bloggers manage to build such huge followings? It’s not the content of their articles, or the titles or their voice. It’s all those things combined and then some. Here are 12 tips on writing better content for your blog that will help you build an audience, too.
1/ Use Attention-Grabbing Titles
Visitors who come to your blog through the search engines will be looking for an answer to a question. Your regular followers will be looking for a reason to read your recent post. In both cases, they want to know what they’re going to learn and how it’s going to be of benefit. If you can convey that message with a witty title, fine, but in most cases it’s best to be clear and concise.
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2/ Be Unique
Being “unique” doesn’t mean simply rewriting the same information in your own words. Tell your readers what this information means to you, and more important, what does it mean to them?
3/ Credit Your Sources
Crediting your source of information gives you more credibility. Even if you’re only summarizing an idea, let your readers know that you learned it from a reliable source.
4/ Pause Before Publishing
I recently read a comment on an A-List blogger’s post that said if he couldn’t even proof read his content before publishing, why should someone follow his advice. Always edit, preview and edit again, and then step away. When you come back, preview and edit again before publishing.
5/ Stay On Topic
There is no word-count requirement for a blog post so don’t add information just because you think it should be longer. Your readers are looking for the answer to one question. Stay on topic and give them that one answer.
6/ Use Outbound Links
Using outbound links adds value for your readers. They can follow those links if they want more information, but if you do it right and include that information on your own post and just link out to the source, then they only have to leave your blog if they want to.
7/ Speak To Your Audience
Use a conversational tone in your posts, as if you were talking to your readers one-on-one. Use words like “I” and “me” and “You” to personalize your message so they feel like you’re speaking directly to them, instead of addressing a large group.
8/ Respond To Comments
Any blogger can reply to comments but read your comments and then respond in a new post. This lets your readers know you’re paying attention to their needs.
9/ Post To A Schedule
Most bloggers agree that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday seem to be the best days to publish. Monitor your stats to determine your high traffic days and create an appropriate posting schedule for your blog. Even better, create an editorial schedule: List posts on Tuesday, How-To posts on Wednesday, and a weekly Friday Mash-up.
10/ Use Controversy
There’s no question: Controversy sells. Take a stand on the “other side” every now and then. Just be sure you can back up your arguments, and make sure you present the other side, too, so your readers can make up their own minds. It’s “controversy” that sells, not “negativity.”
11/ Be An Expert
It’s always easier to write about something you know. That doesn’t mean you’re limited in what you can blog about. It just means you need to become an expert on the topic you’ve chosen.
12/ Don’t Make Assumptions
Never assume your readers have read every single page on your blog. If you’re referencing an older post, link to it. If you’re using jargon specific to your niche, explain it. If you’re explaining something for your experienced readers, link to relevant content that your beginners might need.
