Blog Strategy Tips
The truth is simple; blogging is a huge part of having a decent web presence. Blogs are a great way to build quality content, solidify your subject matter authority, and create your platform in search.
With a great strategy, it’s possible to not only build a blog that you can be proud of, but also one that gives you an impressive return on investment. Of course, you can just start writing a ton of blogs in the hopes that something will stick and bring in tons of readers. Blog strategy requires a bit of finesse, and with proper planning, your brand will reap the benefits.
If you are ready to boost your presence, here are seven simple steps to get you started.
1. Build a Brand Story
Before you even start clacking away with your first blog idea, consider this: what is your company’s angle? What is your story? Establishing a brand story is a great way to appeal to audiences and get them reading. If your company’s focus is doing good, knowing the customer, knowing everything there is to know about medical innovations or just puppies, discover what your mission is.
When you have established what your company’s goal is, it will be easier to find an audience and mold your blog strategy to it.
2. Set a Budget
Setting a budget is necessary. Building a blog strategy is more than just cost. When done right, blog writing takes dedication and resources. How much time and money are you willing to put in? Consider the ROI projection, who will be working on it, when and how often. Can you afford to put these pieces into action?
Blogging isn’t costly, but it can be time-consuming. It’s more than just writing; it’s planning the content, publishing, promoting, and getting it into the hands of the readers.
3. Find out Your Target Audience
To build a successful blog, you must first build a core audience. Who will be reading your material? Millennials, retirees, kids, pet lovers? The subject really does matter when you get it in front of the right people. Build a persona and make your blog the go-to for your subject matter. Discover what your customers are asking about, tailor your content, and reach out to them on a personal level.
While you search, consider how you plan to gather information. You can ask questions on social media, forums, read through comments and suggestions. Really immerse yourself in what your audience is looking for and write to help them.
4. Check Out Competitors
After you’ve zeroed in on your audience, story, and budget, check out what your competitors are doing. The easiest way to discover what you should be blogging about is by seeing why customers are looking elsewhere. If readers are unhappy, are looking for answers, or simply don’t know you exist, it can be hard to get their business. As you observe the competition, examine their practices. What are they doing that you like? Is there anything you do better? Try to capitalize on the weak points and really establish brand authority on the subject.
5. How Will You Get Your Content Out There?
After you’ve done your research and planned your content, you have to get it into the right hands. To have a decent ROI, readers must find your content. Promote your material in the right places: social media and forums. Also, make sure it’s easy to access. If your blog is not user-friendly or easy-to-find, potential readers may not know it’s there!
Make it accessible, find the right channels to promote, and you can be successful.
6. Analytics and SEO
A great way to find your target audience is by using SEO and analytics. By using the proper metrics, you can see who’s searching, and more importantly, what they are searching for. Discover your audience demographic, which blogs are performing well, and what keywords they are searching for. SEO can also help boost your place in search so you can get your blogs in front of more potential readers and build that core audience.
7. Where, Who and When?
Finally, we are almost ready to start blogging. You have your company story, your brand focus, and your plan. All that’s left is deciding where your blog is going to be and who will run it. As stated previously, location is imperative; if readers can’t find your blog easily or it isn’t user-friendly, no one will want to read it. Again, make it accessible.
Also, blogging really is an art form – not just anyone should write it. Quality content needs a good, consistent writer. Select your writers wisely. They should have a good feel for the company brand story and align with your vision. After that’s decided, nail down a consistent content schedule. People will keep coming back if they know when you publish content.
Piecing It All Together
With the right strategy, reliable writers, and quality content, you can build a blog that you can be proud of. By providing users with a consistent place where they can fulfill their needs, your company will be the one-stop subject matter authority. A regular audience meets great ROI, and you can bet as more content goes out, the wider the net will cast as well. Remember to stay good to your readers and grow your core audience by crushing content.
