I remember in 2006 when my friend Craig helped me set up my first blog. I was scared I’d do it all wrong. Today, I write three blogs; this one, one for Design Duo and my personal one… where I let my hair down a little (quite a feat for a girl with short hair!)
Blogging is a great brand building tool – if it’s used correctly. Here are some of the fundamentals that Craig taught me, and some I’ve learned along the way.
1. Define the topics you will write about, and stick to them. Like your brand, be known for something. Your blog is a powerful way to reinforce it.
2. Give tons of value. Inspire, inform, and give great information. Adding tons of value to folks via your website, your newsletter, and your blog will powerfully position you as an expert in your space.
3. Write regularly. Here’s what I did for Affirmagy’s blog for years, and it worked great. Monday’s I’d post an quote about Gratitude that I’d find on BrainyQuotes. Wednesday’s I’d write something original. Friday’s I’d have a guest blogger, or I’d focus on content from another blogger in the same space (great strategy to build traffic, BTW). This got me posting 3x a week, with very little effort on my part. In fact, I’d write my Monday posts 13 at a time. This got me a quarter worth of posts done at once. Sweet.
4. Link out to inspire links in. I get very lazy about this from time to time. You decide what’s best for you. I say posting great content, consistently, is job one.
5. Have fun. I have a very conversational blogging voice, by design. I am intentional about it. Why? Well, while I do share very personal lessons I’ve learned, I am mindful not to give specific details. People don’t realize I am actually a very private person. My conversational writing style allows me to express my personality, instead of personal information. You decide where you want to land on the scale, remembering once it’s out there, it’s out there.
6. Seek to serve first. If your goal is to look good or impress others, spend your time elsewhere. Blogging at its core is about putting really great content out there. Stand in the shoes of your reader, and ‘listen’ to what you are writing. My goal is to make people smile AND give them golden nuggets they can use now. That’s it.
And with that, I am calling it a day. I do hope you’ve found this helpful. Happy blogging.
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Hi Kristen,
I like this posting a lot great tips!
Thanks
Hi Kristen,
Very helpful indeed. I like the simplicity of standing in the shoes of your reader and having a goal to make them smile!
I’ve been blogging off and on since 2005 and I’m always learning.
I’d like to learn more about finding guest bloggers. Do you have any suggestions?
Tami, I have a great resource; HARO. http://www.helpareporter.com. I posted a query for blog posts for Affirmagy (my other company) on a very specific topic area…. received 108 replies in 24 hours.
Looking forward to connecting.
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