3 Minute Video
How to Blog Effectively in 3 Easy Steps
Don’t start a blog just to have one or because everyone else is doing it! Start one because it helps you reach your goal.
A few weeks ago, I talked about 8 super-duper reasons why it’s important to blog. Now it’s time to create a plan of action. This is where most people give blogging the cold shoulder. But in this 3-minute video, I go over how to create a plan for your new blog in 3 easy-breezy steps.
Not a fan of video? Here’s the transcript:
Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m the marketing coordinator for Cubicle Ninjas.
Today I’m going to discuss the basic steps towards establishing an effective blog.
According to new research by Content Marketing Institute, 93% of B2B marketers use content marketing, but only 42% of B2B marketers feel as if they are effective at it.
84% of those who admitted to being ineffective at content marketing did not have a documented strategy. Blogging is the 4th most common content marketing tactic for B2B marketers. What this tells me is most marketers don’t have a blog strategy plan.
This is a big mistake! And here’s why.
Too many businesses jump into blogging with the idea that it’s easy. So they don’t feel it’s necessary to establish some sort plan ahead of time.
It often goes like this: a business launches a new blog using WordPress, they may hire an agency to design it. Someone on the team decides to write the first article, but then after that, the blog isn’t updated in months.
It’s not that these businesses don’t have anything to write about. The problem is they start without a specific plan of action. Without a plan, it’s guaranteed your business blog will turn into a ghost town.
Most effective blogs don’t start to see an increase in web traffic until after 6 months. So some sort of documented blog strategy is essential to stay motivated, confident, and consistent.
Now let’s go over 3 major steps to take before you get started blogging for your business.
Step 1 – Define Your Goals
The main reason to start a blog should never be because “everyone else is doing it.” It should be because you’re trying to reach a specific goal for your business
Goals for blogging could be more web traffic, lead generation, higher sales, whatever it is, keep these goals in mind.
As you start to build a foundation on your blog, take a look at Google Analytics to see what’s working and what’s not, so you continue to build a stronger blog as you go.
Step 2 – Define Your Audience
Ninjas love storytelling. When we’re designing and developing new websites for our clients, we often ask them to define their audience like fictional characters.
This tactic can also be used for developing and writing blog topics. If you think of your blog readers as fictional characters, you’re more likely to attract the type of audience you’re looking for.
Since you’ll have your readers in mind and a clear vision of who they are, you’ll know right away if a topic or the voice of your writing is leading too far from what your reader’s desire.
Sometimes we start to write for us without noticing. We may think a topic is interesting and useful, but it may not attract the audience you want. Keep yourself out of your blog by always thinking about the type of readers you want to attract first
Step 3 – Create an Editorial Calendar
At this point, you should have already established blogging goals and have created a clear picture of the type of readers you want to attract. But there’s still more planning to do.
You must create an editorial calendar for either you or your team of writers. I started blogging 6 years ago and my biggest mistake was diving in too fast and burning out. Whatever you do, start small and gradually work your way up.
I can’t tell you how much you should blog a month. But what I can tell you is quality will always win over quantity. So when you create plan, take time into consideration. How long will it take to write one blog article that’s full of quality that your audience will love?
Be honest with yourself, talk to your team, and create a realistic plan. Only can blog twice a month? Perfect, go for it! Better to stay consistent, then to leave your audience confused when you disappear for a few months.
Have some questions for me related to today’s topic? Be sure to leave a comment!
Video Editing by Brian Stouffer
