Marketing Tips: Blogs

First, What is a Blog?

Blogs are very popular now - it seems everyone has one (or two). Blogs are a great way to promote your business, however you must learn how to stand out from the crowd. Write blogs that will attract readers and retain their attention.

Nine Key Points for Writing Blogs

1. Use titles that will attract your target markets attention. The title can be controversial - think newspaper headlines. Caution: do not be misleading with your title - it should reflect the content of the blog.

2. The content of the blog must deliver what the title promised. Great titles with poor content will not keep your readers coming back - they will soon stop reading your blog.

3. Post current and accurate information. Bloggers do not want to read old, outdated information. Keep an eye on what's happening in your market and then write about it.

4. Keep your post to the theme of your bolg. If your blog is about dogs - don't post on other subjects, unless it has a direct connection to your blogs theme. Dogs, dog food, dog training is OK. Dogs, horses, gardening is NOT OK.

5. We all make mistakes. Post accurate information - do some research before composing your post. If you make a mistake - correct it asap. Apologize and if possible given explanation of how mistake occurred.

6. Be original, have unique content, or offer editorial review of topic. Try to look at subject matter from a different angle than everyone else.

7. See what other bloggers in your niche are writing about. If everyone is writing about how great something is - you write about why it may not be so great (honest review), or why you agree with everyone on how great it is.

8. Most visitors will just scan your article at first. If they see something of interest they will stop and read more. Short paragraphs, bulleted list, bolded sub-topics will all help to keep your visitor reading your blog.

9. Good use of keywords or keyword phrases are essential if you want your visitors to find your blog. Search engines can classify your blog content easier. Keywords and keyword phrases also help in getting better ranking.

1.7 Million American Adults List Making Money As One of The Reasons They Blog.

Five Ways To Brand Yourself With Blogs.

I learned about this tool from another marketer, it's a free tool to check your keyword density.

My blog

Would also suggest taking a look at The Friday Traffic Report by Jack Humphrey (blogging expert, marketing expert, and social marketing expert)