So you’ve been blogging for a while now. Your posts are error-free, your meta tags are in place and your content strategy is being carried out swimmingly. You’ve read a million “How to Write a Blog” pieces and you’ve moved beyond the simple tricks. In short: you know how to blog.
Or do you?
You might have all the basics down, but lately your blog isn’t pulling in the numbers you were hoping for. In fact, you’re getting less and less clicks as time goes on. You’re also having problems creating content that looks shiny and new. You’re running out of ideas. It’s no surprise. As mentioned in my previous blog, everyone knows what content marketing is at this point. And as everyone creates their own content strategy, they’re creating more and more content. You’re going to have to work harder to make your blog stand out.
Never fear, help has arrived! Below I offer a few simple tips to help you out with your next blog. However, I will point out that none of these tips are a stand-alone cure-all. But more on that later.
Keywords
I’ve mentioned keywords in my previous blog, but I cannot state how important they are. A few simple but direct long tail keywords can really help you get your content in front of the right eyeballs. However, this isn’t your first rodeo, and I’m sure you’re familiar with the science of it. What I’m sure you’ve missed out on is the beauty of starting a blog with a keyword. If you’re blogging, you’re probably a writer at heart. The science of keywords is something you probably begrudging add to your blog after you’ve completed your written work of art, right?
Skip it. Try going to Google first before you touch your newest blog. Let the keyword planner guide the way. I guarantee it’s easier time to seed keywords into a work-in-process than to try to hammer them onto an existing post. You can also use Keyword Planner to search for new blog topics. You’ll most likely find content you would have never thought of before!
Add Rich Content
I’m not just talking about pictures. Everyone knows a well-places image draws the eye and breaks up long pieces of prose. But you don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. Add an infographic to your blog. Not only is it more engaging than a photo—it displays some of that data you’ve spent so much time uncovering. There are even free infographic creators like Piktochart. Have you tried adding audio or video to your blog? There are tons of royalty-free segments out there. You can even try creating some graphic content of your own. That brings me to my next point.
Conduct an Interview
We’ve all read that blog on that one subject. Yes, really, all of us. We don’t need you to hyperlink to it one more time. Instead of spewing out the same links, try getting in touch with an actual human being to get their thoughts on the subject. Yes, interviewing someone can be a chore. Early in your blogging career, most people will probably turn you down. Even if you get an interview, you’ll need to leverage a bit more time create your content. But even if you don’t have the time or resources to interview someone at Google, you can still profile a person by gathering information about them.
Read a Book
If all else fails, you can read a book. No, I’m being serious. Let’s face it, very few blogs aim for much depth. Most content strategy demands a fast turn around and no one has the time to dig into a subject very deeply. Unfortunately this means a lot of blogs focus on the newest, shiniest subjects. If you want to give your audience something different, put a book review into your editorial calendar. Sure, the content might not be news breaking, but you will certainly have more fulfilling content to share. You’ll also have a unique take on a subject, because you’ve actually done your homework. Gold star!
I believe lazy blogging is bad blogging (yes, you can tweet that). If you want your content marketing to stand out, you’re going to have to work harder than the other person. That means digging deeper, working harder, and thinking differently. It’s not an easy path, but it is a rewarding one. Have some of your own blogging tips for someone stuck in a rut? Comment below!
