Readers and subscribers.. Two vital components of any successful blog.But where do you find them, and how do you bring them back time and again?By providing engaging and relevant content. You research their needs, understand their struggles, and give your community exactly what they're looking for.Where do you get started? With these 7 simple tactics to create blog content that spreads like wildfire.
Simple Tactics to Create Blog Content That Spreads Like Wildfire
1. Pick Your Niche
“Stop Writing about Everything. So many brands create content and try to cover everything, instead of focusing on the core niche that they can position themselves as an expert around. No one cares about your special recipe... Find your niche, and then go even more niche.– Joe Pulizzi, founder Content Marketing Institute
Shareable content has a purpose. There is passion and authenticity behind it, a vision that is driven by overarching goals. Goals that were laid out when you started your blog.Before you begin to write your post, determine whether or not it is aligned with your desired goals. Will it produce the results you are hoping to achieve? Outlining the major points of your post and then fleshing each one out will keep you focused and on track.If a blog post feels forced, dump it and move on. If you can't connect to your content, you can be sure that no one else will.
2. Choose Your Words Wisely
“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.”― Patricia Fuller
Clean up your post and eliminate all of your unnecessary or "weakening" words and/or phrases. (Adjectives and adverbs are typically the first ones to cut!)Remember that keyword density (the percentage of keywords used based on the number of words in your post) is a very important part of organic SEO. Optimizing your blog posts is one part of the writing process and a big step toward increasing traffic to your website or blog.
3. Post Great Content, Consistently
“Content is king.” – Bill Gates
There is no getting around this one. Content is still king. Posting great content consistently is the key to creating shareable content.However, many writers find the obstacle to creating consistent content is perfection-itis. The need to make every word, every image, every call to action absolutely perfect. While we would all love each of our posts to win a Pulitzer, it is equally important to realize that sometimes good is good enough. Write your post, edit it and move on.By consistently posting, increased traffic will begin to happen as readers refer and search engines find you. With a little effort, your blog can and will change your business.
4. Write Catchy Blog Titles
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” Mark Twain
The right title can create a viral sensation. It can cause your blog to be shared or fall into the sweet space of oblivion.Work to write short, effective headlines for blog posts. Start with your main keyword and then work it into your title and post. The challenge is to make it feel natural. Always envision your consumer and speak to them directly. What would catch their attention?Your post titles should:
- Stimulate the curiosity of your readers and
- Summon their emotions – whether it’s anger, frustration, happiness or excitement
5. Check the Readability of Your Post
“Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say “infinitely” when you mean “very;” otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.” C.S. Lewis
Reading your post out loud allows you to feel what your reader will feel as they read through it. It also allows you to sense where you can edit or eliminate unnecessary verbiage.I always read my articles out loud (to my family's utter frustration) to hear each sentence's flow and make certain it isn't too wordy or choppy.There’s no shame in editing as you read through. Practice makes perfect!
6. Apply the Rule of One
“Good copy can't be written with tongue in cheek, written just for a living. You've got to believe in the product.” – David Oglivy
Apply one of these rules to each of your posts:
- Offer a solution for your readers
- Offer an answer that your competition isn’t
- Show “how-to” do something
- Encourage your readers through facts to make a decision
- Entertain your readers through a relatable story
- Inspire your readers through “feel-good” stories
- Make your readers laugh, cry or think
- Let your readers get to know you and understand that you really can make a difference in their life or situation
Now ask yourself: How does this article make the lives of my readers better or easier?
7. Inspire Your Readers
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” Stephen King
Want to inspire your readers and create deeper connections? Intersperse fun, relatable stories with educational and informative articles while making it entertaining and engaging.You don’t need to do a hard sell to get people to buy from you. You need authentic, relevant information that offers insight into who you are and why they need to take action with you today.
How are you creating blog content that spreads like wildfire? I would love to hear what works for you in the comments below!
About Rebekah Radice
Rebekah Radice, co-founder of BRIL.LA, has traded narcissism for purpose. When not driving growth, you'll find her tricking family into thinking she's Emeril Lagasse - likely covered in marinara. The spotlight was fun, but impact is better. These days she's using 20+ years of brand brilliance for good.