If nobody reads it – nothing. But how do you get a following like some of the well-known bloggers who make millions from writing blogs?
Most of these bloggers are young in their 20s and have a massive following around a specific subject. They earn their money from the ads that appear on their blog and from promoting other people’s products or services that are allied to what they write about.
These are the exceptions – but that doesn’t mean you should give up before you even get started, or abandoning an existing blog.
Firstly, let’s get one thing straight – a blog is not a sales platform. If you keep selling at your readers, they’ll quickly stop reading.
Secondly, if nobody knows about your blog it will get very few views.
Create a plan
I find it helps to have a list of subjects to start with (you might find this blog useful on this), but even better is a list of problems you solve for clients.
If you want to write these as case studies that’s one way of doing it, but sharing your expertise to help other people so you’re not just giving the results, but how to get them is even better.
Decide where to post your blog. Clearly on your own blog, but where else could it go where potential clients might see it.
If you post it and promote it on social media, more people will know about it, but how often do you post about it? On the day the blog goes live? During the week it goes live? What about a month later, three months later, a year later? If a blog still contains good information there’s nothing wrong with reminding people about it long after its first post.
What about your list? If you’re writing good quality information your clients, suppliers, former clients, networking contacts and others might find it useful too. As long as you have permission to email them, send it out as an html email. This is a great way to remind former clients how good you are!
Be consistent
Don’t think you can post one blog and then sit back and that will be it. Aim for a minimum of two a month, ideally one a week if you really want to gain traction.
Use a social media management tool like Hootsuite to schedule your social media posts, so it doesn’t fall off your to do list.
Keep track of the blogs you write so you find it easy to cross reference and check what you’ve written about before – I use a simple spreadsheet.
So what is the point really?
A good blog is a testament to your expertise. It also gives a flavour for the kind of person you are, your approach to life and business. It’s an important cornerstone or your reputation.
