This is the second in a three part series on blogging. We started out with how to get started blogging and now we are talking about what to do to get your blog noticed. The best way to get to the front page of Google and other search engines is to have the exact phrase a person is searching for used on your blog. The same words you use in the title also need to be somewhere in your text. Here are 9 ways to get your blog to stand out:
1. Think of your audience first. As you are thinking of blog topics, make sure the information will be helpful to your target customer. You should see the face of your reader in your head as you are developing blog titles. Provide information, analysis, interviews and viewpoints on your blog. When you give your audience what they want and need, they will tell others and share your articles on social media sites.
2. Build relationships online. If you want friends online, you must be friendly first. If you want people to spread your blog posts on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn you need to spend time sharing other people’s content and building relationships online first. Get involved in the online communities where people actively share information in your specialty area. It is also a great way to have comments left on your blog. I spent six months on Twitter building relationships, answering questions and supporting others before I launched my blog. It made a big difference.
3. Use a branded header. Image is everything. People need to know what your blog is about at first click. Use a branded blog header that features your logo, a professional photo and your tag line. Your tag line is the most important element of your header. It should tell your reader exactly what to expect from your blog.
4. Explain your blog. On the front page of your blog – tell people more information about what you can do for them. Be sure and include keywords, your name and any branded materials you have such as a book title. Explain who your target audience is and the credentials that make you an expert.
5. Watch Your Tone. Use a conversational tone when you write. Do not just give information; let your personality shine through. People love well told stories. They also like to learn from other people’s mistakes. Don’t be afraid to take an unpopular position or be brutally honest. Take a position and tell your readers what you really think.
6. Be original. Being transparent and vulnerable is a great way to establish a relationship with your readers. Teach ‘em some new stuff and be entertaining. Your audience wants to find something that doesn’t exist anywhere else on the web. People will freely share content that is heartfelt and remarkable. Do you have any concepts or systems that you have developed or researched? I developed the Triple ROI of Social Media, which is a new approach to measuring social media marketing. I use this in many blog posts and media interviews. That’s my signature content, what’s yours?
7. Avoid the fluff. Resist the temptation to be a hype master. Your products and services will sell themselves if you create an effective and helpful blog. Readers have many choices online, and they’ll quickly move on from a blog with annoying commentary. Keep your writing focused on your customer. If you always deliver quality information, your reader will come back for more.
8. Diversify your content. In addition to written articles, add podcasts, videos and book reviews to break up the content and add depth to your blog. Sometimes when I am interviewed on an Internet radio show, I will turn the interview link into a blog post, while highlighting key takeaways from the interview. The interviewer will appreciate the additional exposure. Keep those video posts short, no more than 3 minutes please. Less is more.
9. Engage Blog Visitors. At the end of every post, ask a question to your readers to get them to add a comment to the post. When people leave comments on your blog, try to respond to them as quickly as possible to keep the conversation going. If a comment is negative, thank them for sharing, but do not delete it. You want to be as transparent as possible.
Do you have any more ideas about how to get a blog to stand out? Please share.
For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.
Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is America’s #1 small business experts. As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. She writes a weekly column on social media for The New York Times. Forbes Magazine named her #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works.
Hi Melinda,
I think the point of about building relationships is key. Be has as helpful as possible and really seek out ways you can help people. There are so many fantastic people online and if you have a genuine passion for helping them it will come right back at you.
I think humour, entertainment and personality are great for blogs, that really makes you stand out.
Great article, I hope all is well.
Ian from Ireland 🙂
Hello Ian from Ireland,
Thank you for your comment.I agree that you want to make sure you first you social media to help others. Be funny and engaging. Show your personality too, don’t just be a robot that shares industry content.
To your business success,
Melinda
Great advice Melinda. My goal is to add more video to my blog post and increase the variety, as you suggest.
Jean—
Thank you for your comment, just remember to keep those videos short and sweet, and make sure you have good lighting.
To your business success,
Melinda
Do you mean your promo video on your blog should be 3 min?
So is it better to have a short promo video of your original interview on a different site?Better than a link to other site with your full interview?
Darlene–
Thank you for your question. It’s always best to keep the traffic at your site. Less is more. Have a short, tight video on your site is best.
To your business success.
Melinda Emerson
YES! I totally agree. Creating and maintaining those relationships is so important. That’s something I’d like to work on more. I also need to write for my readers, not just for me. Just because I think something isn’t exciting doesn’t mean they feel the same way.
Another great post, Melinda! You set a good example of providing quality content. Keep up the great work you’re doing!
Until next time…Go Boldly!â„¢
Dino
Dino–
Thank you for your comment. I developed this blog series just for my fans. Glad your enjoyed this series on blogging.
Good to hear from you–
Melinda F. Emerson
I do agree with your point that several people in this thread also pointed out, building relationships key. However, not an easy task unless you are truly committed to networking online. Over the years a majority of my online relationships have worn out like batteries and some of these people I have even met live thanks to my travels. There is no substitute for the relationships I have cultivated off line over the years, they are the ones that are truly fans of my blog.
Jim—
Thank you for your comment. I have found that my contacts offline are valuable, but my online contacts are far more engaged, and their ability to support me through sharing my signature content is extremely valuable to my business. Glad your enjoyed this series on blogging for business.
Continued success–
Melinda F. Emerson
Hello Melinda!
I think this is a great article! I agree with Jim that offline contacts are more loyal and continue to come back to blog more consistently than twitter followers. But I definitely picked up some good tips from your article series.
Thank you!
Great article! I agree all with you . Thanks so much
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