The great thing about starting a blog is that anyone can do it.
The not-so-great thing? Well…anyone can do it. That translates to a blog-heavy Internet where the competition is so stiff, it’s easy to get lost. A blog can be a fantastic way to promote your business, but the key is to make your blog stand out. Establishing a successful blog takes time, but the payoff can be well worth your effort. Here are five tips for creating a successful blog.
1. Brand yourself in your niche
Let’s say you run an ice cream shop, and you’d like to start a blog for your business. Simply pinpointing ‘ice cream’ as your blog concept isn’t enough. Identify the elements that make you unique, and highlight them. Do you use all organic ingredients? Is your shop designed to look like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor? Do you specialize in banana splits? Create a simple brand that hones in on what makes you special. Choose a tagline and logo that reflect your brand, and use it consistently across your blog promotion and social media.
2. Be active on social media and other blogs
Congratulations! You have a blog. Now you’re not just part of the ice cream shop owners’ community – you’re part of the online community as well. Just like in real life, online networking can be advantageous to your blog’s growth. Search for other blogs that complement yours, like a whipped cream company or even other ice cream bloggers. Start by following them on social media. Comment on their blogs. Tweet at them. ‘Like’ their Facebook photos. Support each other. This will increase your odds of others sharing your blog on their social media platforms. Make it easy for others to follow you by displaying links to your social media accounts on your blog.
3. Engage with commenters
If someone writes a comment on your blog, respond! Thank them for stopping by. Visit their blog, if it exists. This personalizes your blog and makes people want to keep participating. Sometimes, you may get some critical comments. Try not to take them personally, and be professional and neutral with your reaction.
4. Craft ‘clickable’ titles for your blog posts
Which link are you more likely to click on:
- 5 Most Amazing New Ice Cream Flavors
- New Flavors Available in the Shop
We’re guessing you’d choose the first one. It promises an easy read (only 5 points) and piques your curiosity (what are the amazing flavors?). There’s no secret to writing a clickable post title, but think about what elements draw you to a blog post, and what makes you pass one by.
5. Provide content that has real value to your target readers
Have you ever clicked on a tantalizing link, only to be disappointed by dull, grammatically incorrect content? At the end of the day, you need to write something that people want to read. Stay aware of current events in the ice cream world, and write about them when relevant. You want your readers (and potential customers) to come away from your blog feeling like they know something useful that they didn’t know before. Read through your post before hitting publish. Is it interesting? Easy to read? Does it contain information that is valuable to your target audience? Then you might be on your way to blogging success.
