Maybe it was one of your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you’ve been told over and over that a blog on your website would increase traffic and enhance your rankings. Maybe you have personal ruminations that you want to share. In any case, with the fresh new year, you’re ready to start writing.
To make the most of your scribe time, here are five tips to make you a happy blogger.
1. Know why you’re blogging. Frankly, just because it’s good for business isn’t good enough. What is it you really have to offer that people would want to read (and that you would want to write)? It could be related to your industry or your products, but understanding why your readers would find it interesting is a critical first step.
2. Know what you’re blogging about. Even the most prolific writers can reach a dry spell once in a while, but having a plan that highlights the different areas you’ll cover will help you find new material. One great way to get started defining the subjects of your blog is with a bubble map (See? You can still use them after 7th grade!) The bubble map below has one main subject in the center, with other bubbles that describe the main subject. Those other bubbles can open up entirely new topics as well. With a well thought out bubble map, you will have plenty of material.
3. Amass a wealth of material. Once you’ve established the parameters of your blog topics, you’re ready to start writing. But if you want to make sure you’re up to date on any new information that comes up, set up a few Google Alerts with keywords pertaining to your blog’s subject. Whenever an article or blog goes online regarding that subject, you’ll be one of the first to know. Whip out a new post discussing the new trend, technology or legislation you just read about, and you become the instant expert.
4. Commit to your blog. Just like resolutions, many blogs fail when life gets in the way. Establish a blogging schedule, whether it is once a week or more, and know that it is a long-term commitment.
5. Get your blog out there. Now you’ve written your prose, you want people to read it, don’t you? If it’s a business blog, make sure it’s on your company’s website and business Facebook page. Send excerpts of it out on Twitter. Post it to your groups on LinkedIn. Invite your Facebook and real live friends to read it. Add a link to your blog on your email signature.
A blog is the start of a conversation. Next, we’ll talk about how to get people to talk back to you.