How to Write Blog Content You Would Actually Want to Read Yourself
If you blog for your business, have you ever had a “what am I writing?” moment?
Have you ever looked up and realized that you’ve been publishing nonsense?
Ok, maybe it’s not complete nonsense; there are some hidden gems there. But it’s certainly not what you really want to be posting or what you’d tell your clients they should publish.
It’s not giving your audience as much value as it should be. Hell, it’s not even targeting your ideal audience. And it’s certainly not helping to acquire valuable leads.
Instead, you’ve been creating content just to create it. And if you were one of your ideal customers, you wouldn’t even read it.
By focusing on quantity over quality, you’ve been missing out on the very expert-establishing value you know blogging is all about.
In short, you’re doing yourself a disservice. But never fear…we’re here to right that wrong.
Here’s how to write blog content you would actually want to read yourself.
Make it informative.
One of the main goals of your blog should always be to establish yourself as the expert in your niche.
So, first and foremost, make sure that your blogposts give readers information that they not only want, but need. If you’re not sure what your readers need, why not start by asking them? Go straight to the source and find out what content your readers are craving.
Using your web statistics is another great way to find out if your posts are getting the attention you want.
- Are readers only spending a few seconds on a post and then leaving?
- Or are they perusing other posts too?
- Are they converting by signing up for your email newsletter or subscribing to your blog?
These are all helpful ways of finding out whether your audience found your content valuable.
Make it exciting.
Do you think your readers will click a search engine result or a social media link with just any old title?
Of course not!
Your title should be exciting. It should be sexy. It should be impossible to not read. Then, the content should follow suit.
If you need help discovering what the best title (or topic) is going to make the most sense for your audience, consider these tips:
- Use a Frequently Asked Question sales prospects or customers ask all the time. Chances are they aren’t the only ones asking them.
- Incorporate an interesting video, graphic, or infographic into your post. Those will add additional interest for your readers as well as making them that much more “shareable.”
- Focus on key takeaways for your target audience by using numbered lists, bullets(!), or bold headings. Give your readers something very clear they can walk away with (e.g. “3 Unique Content Ideas for Your Next Blogpost”).
Don’t skimp on design.
Think about the last blogpost or website you visited with – I’ll be nice – subpar design. How long did you stay on that site? Or, more accurately, how likely would you have been to do business with that company?
If you’re anything like many of your ideal customers, chances are you don’t have the most utmost respect for a site that’s poorly designed.
The lesson? Spend the time and money on good quality design.
From your blog design, layout, and navigation to your calls-to-action and subscription design, make sure each step of your reader’s experience is an extraordinary one.
Start creating the kind of content that you’d read if you were your ideal audience. Make it informative, make it exciting, and never, ever skimp on the design.