In a time of social media, search engines, and online businesses, the internet can be a noisy place. So, with everyone trying to establish their own voice, how do you make your blog stand out in a crowd?
While you may not be at odds with every single person with a keyboard, when it comes to blogging for your business, you may up against some stiff competition. The best way to come out on top is to develop a blog voice that matters; one that shines through the others. So, how do you do that? Here are nine tips to help you create your blog voice.
1. Find Your Own Voice
This may seem a little obvious, but to have a “blog voice” that matters, you need to have one first. Covey passion, confidence, authority — in short, inject a little personality in your writing. Depending on your audience or response, develop a voice and tone that showcases what your blog is all about.
Keep it casual, funny, or friendly. Morph to a style and be consistent. No one will read a blog that sounds like a robot wrote it. You have to have your own flair. And above all else – be original. No one likes recycled content.
2. Find Your Audience
Finding an audience is monumental to developing a blog voice. To really set yourself apart from competing blogs, dig into your core audience and try to separate from the pack. What does your audience want? What are they looking for? Do some research and try to fill in the gaps. What are your competitors not covering? Again, tone and voice are important here. Speak to your audience’s level. No one wants to read “dry” corporate prose.
3. Establish a Connection
Another great way to win over an audience is to establish a connection. Get into the trenches and answer questions, reply to their comments, and really mingle with them. Also, develop some thick skin because not everything you read or respond to will be peaches and cream. Explore new viewpoints, consider what your audience may be dying to know, and find ways to establish a connection with them.
4. Tell Stories
What better way to establish a meaningful connection while adding a personal touch? Stories are crucial tools for creating a blog voice. We’re not talking tangents here, though a good rant can have its place. Stories unify us and give us a common ground, especially when readers can relate to the subject matter.
The moments where we share our personal journeys bring us to a point of understanding, and that is critical when it comes to voice. They should be poignant and match your blog’s subject matter focus, and these personal truths can really help others connect with you on a more personal level.
5. Stand Out
Okay, you’ve found your own voice, but so have your competitors. What about your voice makes you stand out? Whether you tell stories that weave into your business practices, or you make it a point to find out a bunch of lifehacks with your products, find something that sets you apart. Develop a style, feel, and personality that will bring readers back, and provide enough useful information to make your blog the go-to place.
6. Have a Clear Layout
Just as important as what you write is how you write it. No one will read a sloppy blog covered in ads and with a thousand clicks. Style is just as important as what you write, so have a very clear and accessible layout. Your blog should be easy to navigate, and simple to read. Remember, if it’s too hard to read and difficult to navigate, no one will come back.
7. Be Consistent with your Output
To develop a clear and reliable blog voice, you must be consistent with your output. You can’t build authority by trying to cash in when something important drops. Plus, without a steady schedule, readers may lose interest and stop reading. There’s something exciting about your favorite blog dropping a new post at a scheduled time. If you have enthusiastic followers, a steady schedule should have them coming back for each post.
On top of frequent and consistent posts, the quality of your work should be pristine as well. Of course, it can be casual and fun, but remember; this is still a professional setting. Grammar mistakes and poorly formed sentences can make reading difficult, and you don’t want your work being misinterpreted. Be sure to edit your blogs thoroughly before posting.
8. Keep it Casual
A big part of finding your blog voice is hitting the right tone. This isn’t an instruction manual or an office meeting, so you can afford to be casual. The tone should be conversational, something that is relatable to your audience, and easy to understand.
Also, don’t get bogged down in technical jargon. If it’s important to use lesser-known terms or acronyms in your blog, you don’t need to avoid them. Just be sure to give a quick explanation. The goal is to make your post accessible, easy to read, but sharp enough for your core audience. It’s all about balance and good editing.
9. Never Stop Improving
The best way to establish a strong blog voice is to never stop evolving it. You don’t want to be a one-trick pony. Keep reading, learning, and brushing up on trends to stay ahead of the game. Never stop developing your craft. The internet is always in a rapid state of change; to keep in front of it, improving your blog style should always be at the forefront.
Concluding Thoughts
Standing out from the crowd and establishing your personal blog voice is always going to be an on-going battle. Audiences will shift, trends will change, and there’s always something new to share. That’s the exciting part of discovering your voice. Express yourself and develop a unique way to showcase your subject matter to the world. Oh, and have fun doing it!
