When it comes to the importance of content marketing, the numbers don’t lie.
Did you know that there are well over 600 million active blogs online today? Furthermore, 77% of internet users read blogs on a daily basis.
Blogs have become a staple of the Internet. They provide users with content that serves various purposes, including providing entertainment or offering insight. The best posts can yield high traffic, resulting in increased website engagement and, in certain cases, leads.
Whether you’re planning to tackle your brand’s blog writing in-house, or you’re opting to outsource to a content marketing agency, here are a few “do’s and don’ts” to keep in mind throughout the process.
Blog Writing Do’s & Don’ts
Know Which Platform to Use
There are many content management systems (CMS) that blogs are built upon, with some being more common than others. WordPress is arguably the most prominent name, as it features a user-friendly interface and a variety of plug-ins. It can be used to help with SEO, readability, and spam filtering, which can help you get the most out of your content.
Other CMS options include, but aren’t limited to, Squarespace, HubSpot, and Wix. Regardless of the platform, anticipate a period of learning to become accustomed to it.
Prioritize Long-Form Content
Low-effort content won’t cut it when it comes to blog writing. It’s recommended that a standard post should be at least 300 words in length, but it can be argued that even this is on the short side. For a blog to rank well on search engines, it should aim to be 2000-2500 words.
Long-form content aids in SEO and keeps readers engaged, ensuring that they don’t click away immediately after arrival. Of course, length will vary depending on the content being produced. Not all topics will have the substance that allows for long-format blog posts.
Whether your blog post has 300 words or 2000, remember it’s always best to find the right balance between your topic, audience, and the goal you want the blog to achieve. If you produce quality content that is value-forward and is performing well with your audience, the length may not be as important.
Utilize Different Blog Post Formats
Blog posts come in various forms, and it pays to utilize a mix of tactics. Posts that are comprised of lists, such as “the top ten tips,” are incredibly popular and spark great engagement. Not only do these provide useful information, but they are easy to consume.
Blog posts can also offer reviews on products and services, which allows readers to determine whether they’re worth purchasing. These are just a few possible directions for content to take. A business would be wise not to box themselves, from a content standpoint, as it may inhibit their ability to grow their blog.
No matter the mix of blog formats you choose, remember the key to a successful blog is providing topics that add value to your audience!
Encourage User Activity
The best blog posts encourage readers to become involved in conversations. When a post is open-ended, requesting that readers leave comments, it provides a platform to further the points made in the content.
Furthermore, this provides businesses with a better understanding of their audience. They can examine what users are interested in learning, which can clue them in on buying habits. You can then use those insights to optimize your digital marketing strategy, proactively catering to your audience’s needs.
These are just a few benefits of encouraging user activity in blog posts, so consider creating content that invites readers to chime in!
Include a Clear Call-To-Action
While a blog post can provide information or value in general, its potency can grow with a call-to-action (CTA). Essentially, a CTA is a prompt that a user may follow at a content creator’s request. Once a user reads a blog post, they may see a request to sign up for a newsletter at the end. The user will be inclined to do so if they deem the post’s content valuable.
Other potential CTAs range from visiting another internal webpage or following a company on social media. Keep in mind that CTAs may not always apply to blog posts, but in situations where they do, it’s recommended that they are included.
Proofread Content Before Publishing
This may go without saying, but the importance of proofreading can’t be emphasized enough. Prior to publishing, content should always be reviewed at least once, ensuring that spelling and grammatical errors are nonexistent. This is especially true for business blogs, as content is a direct reflection of companies.
If a content creator has access to a team, peer reviews are recommended. These provide creators with other perspectives, which helps in picking up errors that might have been missed initially. No matter how well-written a piece of content is, proofreading will make it stand out that much more.
About fishbat: fishbat is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Long Island, New York. Utilizing the latest technologies and forward-thinking strategies, fishbat is able to create marketing plans that are tailor-made for specific needs and goals. The services that fishbat provides include, but aren’t limited to, strategy, social media management, search engine optimization, content marketing, and branding. With these, businesses will be able to market directly to their audiences, increasing traffic, engagement, and, ultimately, revenue.
