Business blog writing is tough. No matter how long you’ve been writing on your business blog, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in a blogging rut. How do you break out of blogger’s block?
There are many reasons that people blog – the most important being to convey their personal message in a clear, concise way.
Here are other key reasons blog writing is key for your business:
- Building an online base of targeted customers
- Reaching customers on an individual level
- Improving your “findability” through online searches
Whatever your blogging motivation, one thing is vital for traffic improvement – blog writing consistency.
Posting content for a business blog on a regular basis sounds easy enough, but seasoned bloggers know that it is tough to keep posts fresh and meaningful to their audience. Sometimes there is just not enough motivation – or coffee – to get the creative juices flowing and break writer’s block.
Instead of staring blankly at a computer screen, or giving up completely, give these ideas a try to keep your business blog writing consistent:
- Develop an editorial calendar. Instead of trying to come up with a new topic several times per week, hold a brainstorming session once per month. Look ahead for seasonal topics, read business news and review current events in your industry. Even if you do not have an entire outline for each post, come up with mock headlines. Jot down ideas of where you plan to find supporting research. You may also want to consider theme days – consider Marketing Mondays or Friday Five Tips lists.
- Read other blogs. You probably do this already, but if you find yourself at a loss for words, stop what you are doing and start reading on the spot. Visit several of your favorite blogs and click on their suggested or favorite links. Take notes on the ideas that each entry gives you and bookmark the pages you want to reference in your own posts. Check out the blog aggregation site Alltop.com, to find excellent blogs in specific areas of expertise.
- Update an older post. Open your blog analytics and check out your top five all-time most popular posts. Write a follow up to those, update the post, or use them for spinoff ideas. Be sure to link to the older post in your new one. You may also want to add a link to the updated post in the original. There is a reason why the most popular posts have so many hits, so revisit them and try to capitalize on it.
- Go off script. You probably have a specific focus for your blog and readers depend on your information in that area. It is okay to take a left turn from time to time, however. If you normally give technology tips for businesses, write a post about how much your kids like your smartphone. If you have great pictures from a recent vacation, write a blog essay on the trip – complete with photos. In contrast, if you normally write about your personal life, develop some “how to” content based on your areas of professional expertise.
- Ask for suggestions. Mask your creative slump with a call for interaction from readers. Ask them what questions you can research and answer for them. Post this offer on your blog and other spots like Twitter and Facebook. LinkedIn has a section where you can ask questions. One idea from a reader could spawn several in your mind. Give your audience what it wants by asking the right content questions.
About our guest author:
Megan Totka is the Chief Editor for Chamber of Commerce.com, the most trusted online business directory. Megan also edits expert business related local news in over 30 markets.
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