In recent years, blogging has become a simple way to get attention and profits for businesses or even individuals. As the blogging community continues to grow, now is the perfect time to start your blog and find a place for your voice on the Internet. You can do anything with a blog, from creating exclusive blog destinations to using it to improve your business presence. No matter whether your goal falls neatly into one of these categories or somewhere in the middle, having the right strategy will let you develop a group of regular readers in just a few weeks, possibly even days.
Start Your Blog with the Right Tone
Keep in mind that although you should start your blog with the right emotion, you won’t find a specific “correct” method of writing. The style and content will vary based on the type of blog and business behind it, as well as your goal. Your blog is the best way to show readers what makes your business (and its employees) unique. As you write, embrace the characteristics that make your company stand out, as they will help you gain readers.
Have a Focus Before Starting Your Blog
When creating content for your blog, it can be easy to write about the first thing that pops into your head on a given day. However, doing so will not bring you success or dedicated readers. Instead, try to find a main theme to unite the content. Select an area that you are an expert in with the goal of finding a topic that offers readers insights they won’t get elsewhere. Anytime you write a new post, or hire a content writer to do so, be sure to bring it back to this central theme.
Determine the Blog Platform Before You Get Started
You may already be brainstorming topics for your page, but before you can start your blog, you will need to have some groundwork in place, specifically the location of where you will be putting it. There are a range of options, depending on your technical capabilities and preferences. If your company already has a well-established website, you may choose to simply add a tab to it for the blog. Other businesses might prefer to get a hosting package and use WordPress or a similar platform. Whatever platform and hosting you use, be sure that the website is able to load quickly. This will lower the frustration of readers and improve your search engine rankings at the same time.
Take Advantage of Blog Themes
Unless you are a technological wizard, chances are that you will need a bit of time to organize the layout of your blog to maximize its potential. Remember that while pictures are important, so is white space. Create a layout that provides sufficient room for a reasonably sized font with enough white space to avoid feeling crowded. You can search through the various WordPress themes, and chances are that you will find one that suits your company’s blog perfectly.
Getting a Helping Hand When Creating Your Blog
Blogs are labor intensive, and when you start out, you might want to get as much content up as you can right away. While it is a good idea to have a few articles posted in the beginning, it isn’t worth it if they aren’t well-written. As such, always have one person (at a minimum) examine each post before you publish it. You may think your spelling and grammar checks are good enough, but another person may see something you missed. Similarly, if you hire a copywriter or content writer to contribute, read through his or her work to ensure it fits into the blog.
Start Your Blog with the Right Tools On Hand
It is true that Google occasionally tweaks its requirements for website rankings, but with the right tools, you can easily stay on top of this and check how you are doing in search rankings. Look for plugins that can help with productivity, such as Google Analytics. Also be sure to take advantage of social media networks. Don’t simply copy and paste the same content onto each network, however. Instead, give each one unique introductions with a link to your page. Be sure to interact with those in the community and network by commenting on relevant stories and using hashtags.
After You Start Your Blog, Track the Readers
By taking advantage of Google Analytics, you can easily see how your readers feel about your blog as well as what elements work well and what needs to be adjusted. This tool is free and will let you track everything about your readers, including which posts they take the longest to read, how long they are on the page, how much of it they read, and demographic information. Track this information and then use your newfound knowledge when writing future posts.
Interact with Blog Readers from the Start
Encourage readers of the blog to tweet or share a link on Facebook. Be sure to include a section for comments on your blog and respond to them in a timely manner. By maintaining a conversation with the readers, you will maintain their interest.
Vary the Content After Establishing Your Blog
Chances are that most of your initial blog posts will be filled with words and pictures, and this is a good method for when you are just getting started. Don’t get complacent with these tactics, however, and start thinking about adding videos and social media as soon as possible. Readers from 18 to 44 want video content, while those in their mid-20s and over 65 want social media content. Aim to create a diverse blog that includes all of these elements, and you will attract the largest possible readership, setting you up for success.