They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The same applies to art.
I, like most people, consider writing to be an art form. Writing content for the internet is a special skill that requires different tactics. The style of writing you may use for writing a novel could be completely different than the style you would use for a blog.
Generally speaking, writing for the internet is short and sweet. People generally read blogs to either be entertained or to find an answer to a question. The internet is impatient, and people want to get their information as quick as possible. If you are not providing the answers to people’s questions, then people will leave your site immediately. Trust me… I know.
Becoming a good blogger takes years of practice. There’s a lot more to think about when writing blogs, especially when you are creating content as a marketing strategy.
We are here to help.
Tip Number 1 – Learn How To Spell And Use Proper Grammar
It’s not easy. My team will be the first to tell you. I am a terrible speller. I still mess up possessive vs. contractions, and every article I write has at least one typo in it, regardless of how many times I edit it. The struggle is real.
None the less, even one spelling mistake will make your work look amateur. After I finish an article, I send it to another person to spell check. It is very difficult to edit your own work, and having an objective perspective on your writing will show you any mistakes, and also give you insight on different directions you could take.
In the world of text messaging and speed thumbs, it is easy for us to forget when to put on our best spelling bee face. Really, there’s no need to dive into this one too much. Good spelling is a requirement and bad spelling shows incompetency. Get it right.
Tip Number 2 – Be Personal
Not all writing is created equal. Most of the time, when writing blogs, it pays to speak in first person and speak to the reader directly.
In our niche, which is the addiction treatment industry, this holds just as evident as any other industry. When writing stories about recovery, it helps to have our writers speak about their own personal experience.
Granted, this does not always apply. Sometimes it is appropriate to take a journalistic standpoint. Sometimes, when presenting empirically based data, it requires that you take an informative approach.
However, many readers unconsciously consider a blog to be an avenue in which they can relate to a company or an industry on a personal level.
Do not be afraid to speak to your readers. Don’t hesitate to give your opinion on matters, and let your readers know how you feel. This writing style will help with your number of social shares, and also in overall branding.
Tip Number 3 – Write Useful Information
You must resist the temptation. We all see the success Buzzfeed has had with their content scheme. You may be tempted to write an article entitled “31 Reasons Cats Are Evil”, but most likely, that article will have no relevance for your target audience.
Don’t compare yourself to websites that do nothing but write thin content with flashy taglines. Writing informative content may not get you as many clicks and social shares, but it will ensure that the traffic that is brought to your site is valuable traffic.
Less is more.
If you look at our portfolio, you will see that all of our clients have a well thought out content strategy. It is important to provide useful information. If your content is full of fluff, than most people will come to your website and leave within 5 seconds. This is not the goal. The goal is to become a respected industry leader, therefore, we need to act accordingly.
Tip Number 4 – Be Consistent
Nothing can take the place on consistency.
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
– Calvin Coolidge.
Growing a business through content marketing is not an overnight strategy. It takes time, hard work and consistency. However, once your blog has built a strong following (through either an email list, a social media following, SEO or even through direct traffic) than you are here to stay.
Building a strong blog is one of the best ways to cement your business.
You can’t expect to grow your blog overnight. You have to chip away at it. Every little detail counts.
Tip Number 5 – Don’t Be Afraid Of Other Media
A blog is a blank slate. You can create whatever you wish. Some blogs are heavy on images, some blogs are heavy on text. But this doesn’t mean that you need to stick to one way all the time.
Be creative.
Embed videos into blogs, curate content from other articles. Quote reputable sources and use the blockquote function. Link out to other pages.
The options are really endless. You are only limited to what you can imagine.
Go Do It Now!!
A year from now, you will wish you started today. Blogging takes practice, patience and it takes trial and error. Your first blog posts may not be of the highest quality, but that’s okay.
At some point, you have to just put your head down and begin. There is no time like the present.
If you are looking for pointers or tips, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, or contact us. We are here to help!
