Blogging. I know, I know, you hate it, and you don’t want to do it. Or perhaps you’re willing, but you just don’t know where to start, so you’ve been letting it slide. Or you used to blog, but things got busy, so you haven’t touched your website in a while.
In any case, you’re ignoring a really easy way to really boost your sales.
Adding ongoing new content to your website boosts your SEO – because Google loves to see a website that is cared for and updated on the regular.
It gives you and others in your industry lots of interesting information to share, which gets your name around and creates a nice web of backlinks to your site, again increasing its SEO.
Plus, the more you blog, the more your potential customers get to know you – what your business stands for, why they should trust your opinion, and exactly how you can help them.
So if you aren’t blogging, start now! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Make a tips list
Google loves posts that are a list of things. Think stuff like “5 reasons why…” or “10 ways to…” or “6 things you didn’t know about…”.
What can you make a tips list about? Think about the fundamental things your clients should be doing. Can you create a reading list for your series of novels? A suggested set of steps for training your dog? A list of reasons why this year is the best time to get healthy?
Make a list of list ideas – then blog them all.
Answer a common question
Your outbox is a gold mine! How many times have your clients asked about XYZ? How many hours have you spent sending the same email to to yet another customer?
Turn those responses into a blog post for sure. It’ll be a great reference for your customers, and you can refer them to the link when the question (invariably) gets asked again.
Plus, potential clients out there likely have the same question – and are out there Googling for answers right now. Help them find you, the person with the answers!
Teach a skill you know
It’s often tempting to try to keep your expertise to yourself – because after all, that’s what customers are going to pay for.
But sharing some of your knowledge, at a high level, is actually a really good thing. It shows your current customers and potential customers that you’re an expert in your field and that you know what you’re talking about. And it gives them some hint on the kind of thing you’re going to help them with, making it clearer what you offer, and making sure you’re both on the same page before you even begin.
If you sell a product, or you’re an author who sells books, consider giving some behind-the-scenes info about your stuff instead. Blog about your factory floor, your favourite writing tools, your messy desk, or how you came up with that awesome product/character/story idea. Letting your fans in makes them feel like an insider, and builds a strong and loyal community.
Write about a mistake you made
We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. But the key is to show what you learned from that incident.
Mistakes can make for dramatic blog posts as there are stakes involved and emotional responses to any tale of things going wrong.
But whether you are a business owner who learned something about how to better serve your clients, or an author who learned something about what your audience really wants, or a eCommerce shop owner who has learned that bundles are awesome – blog it! Your audience wants to hear all about it.
Go back to a popular topic
If your website isn’t set up to collect at least basic statistics, it should be (let us know if you need help setting that up).
From your stats, you should be able to easily see your most popular content, be it a page or a post. If that’s what your audience is interested in – give them more!
Can you add more detail on something you mention in passing in that content? Can you follow a tangent to a related topic? Can you tell a story about how that information is used in your every life or in your business or by your clients? Several different posts can grow from one really popular idea.
Post a book review
If you’re an author, this one is easy. Consider posting an excerpt from one of your books as a cool sneak peak (with a handy purchase link to read the rest, of course!). And don’t forget to tease new releases with cover reveals and hints at content, too.
If you aren’t an author, chances are there are books or YouTube channels that you consider essential. Content that your audience would value, as well, as it pertains to your business. Share a resource you value in a blog post and explain why it’s awesome.
Post a reminder
Is there something your customers should be doing on a regular basis? Getting their dog groomed, cleaning their pool, checking in with their mental health?
Then remind them! A blog post is a great way to let your customers know there’s something to put on their to do list that shouldn’t be ignored.
Unite your passions
Everyone loves to read a blog post about something the author truly loves. You love your business, be it writing, teaching first aid, or running a nonprofit. But there are other things you love, too – hobbies and activities and sports.
Sometimes you can draw a nice parallel between your two loves, and that can make for a very compelling blog post. If you love travel, and your new novel is set in Paris, then post your own mini travel guide to the city. If you love hockey, and you run a nonprofit, talk about how a team working together can make a bigger difference than one person alone. Dream up your own matches!
Showcase a client or client work
Do you have a client who has embraced your products, or a reader who loves your work? Showcase them on your site with a mini interview and a description of how you’ve helped them. It works on two levels – explaining how your business helps people, and also drawing in new potential clients in the form of everyone that person has met, ever.
But most importantly – just blog!
If your website isn’t blog ready – with a blog feed in place, and showcasing your posts in various locations on your site – then it’s time for a redesign.
We’d love to help! Get in touch with us today for a free quote.
