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There are billions of blogs on the internet and new ones being launched every day. There's a good reason why so many people are starting blogs. Blogging is one of the most effective ways to build your name and brand and the cost of doing it is little to none. With so much competition around though how do you make sure your blog doesn't become a drop in an ocean of options?
Things to consider BEFORE you set up your blog:
- Have a purpose. Why are you starting a blog? What do you want to get out of it?
- Pick a theme. Choose a specific niche for your blog. Not too big, not too small. It must be something you have a strong interest in.
- Pick a suitable name. When picking a name for your blog think about the kind of brand you want to build.
Blog content tips:
- Content is king. Write unique, valuable content and present it well.
- Don't be afraid to be you. Whilst you might admire how others are doing things be sure to find your own voice. Your personality will play a large role in building your audience.
- Always tell the truth. You want to build trust and respect.
- Write for scanners. A lot of readers scan over content so it's important to create content that will fit their needs. use bullet points, numbered lists, graphics etc... when possible.
- Keep posts the right length. Don't write too little or too much. Between 300-1000 words is best. Make longer posts into a series of posts.
- Solve a problem. The more helpful you are the more likely your post will be successful.
- Use guest posts. Having someone else write for your blog gives you fresh content, offers something a bit different for your readers and is a great way to attract new traffic to your site.
- Stay up to date within your niche. The more you know, the more you'll be able to share with your audience.
Tips for building traffic to your blog:
- How will you gain traffic to your blog? Blog commenting? Guest blogging for others?
- List your blog in directories.
- Make it easy for people to share your content. Adding social share buttons is quick and easy to do and one of the best ways for increasing traffic to your site.
- Encourage community. By getting your readers to participate in some way on your blog they will feel a stronger connection with it and be more likely to come back and spread the word about it to others.
Extra tips:
- Have an about page with a photo of you. Let your readers know who is behind the site.
- Be easy to contact. Whether you post your email address, have a contact form or add your social media profile buttons, make sure people have a way of contacting you via your blog.
- Write as often as possible. Consistency is important. Frequent fresh content will help bring readers back to your blog on a regular basis.
- Build relationships. Make sure you're connecting with your readers but also with other bloggers. You want to build a strong network
- Don't give up. It takes time to build a successful blog.
Do you have your own tips to add to this list? Please share them in the comments section.
