Some people prefer blogging over a static web site. This may be for numerous reasons. Blogs are fairly easy to create and they can be updated easily. They are also interactive and allow readers to leave comments. Blogs create an opportunity to have an ongoing conversation with one’s audience. Blogs only work if you are able to build a loyal following. If you want your blog to be successful, you have to know and understand the rules of engagement. If they are not followed, then you will likely have a blog that few people actually read. You want to make sure that your block is “sticky.” This means that it is able to hold your reader’s attention and makes them want to come back for more. In order to accomplish this you need to pick a good topic, blog regularly, mix it up, engage your readers, provide interesting information and offer great resources.
Before choosing a topic, do some keyword research. Find a topic that you like and enjoy or one that you believe will earn you money. You can use Wordtracker, or whatever keyword research tool that you have. After you have chosen a good topic, you need to blog regularly. This means updating the blog on a consistent basis. Your readers need to know when to expect a new blog entry from you. Now, this can be whenever you’re comfortable with. Daily is great. However, if you want to do it every other day, that’s fine too. Your readers should have an idea of when you will be adding new information.
Mix it up. Don’t only use text. Include videos and pictures. We live in a day and age where a lot of people don’t like to read and they are used to being engrossed by television or videos games. Therefore, make sure that you add things to your blog that will hold their interest. Also, when you do use text, make sure to break it up into small blocks. People don’t want to read huge paragraphs.
Engage your readers. This means that if someone leaves a comment, try to respond. Now, you won’t be able to respond to every comment. However, if you notice that a lot of people are leaving comments on the same topic, make sure to address it. If your readers want you to talk about a specific topic, then go ahead and find some related information about it and make a post.
Provide interesting information. Your blog can’t be boring. If you find some funny stories or an interesting piece of news, make sure to include it. Don’t write dry, boring academic text unless that is what your audience enjoys.
Next, provide great resources. If you come across a really good web site or product that you believe your readers will benefit from, go-ahead and endorse it. If it is free, this is even better. If you are consistently giving away free information that people would normally, gladly pay for, than when you do advertise a product, people will be more apt to buy from you because you have built up trust and goodwill.
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