Most websites we work on will have a blog as it's a great way for business's to add new content to their website which the search engines love and engage with people on a more personal level.  However the thought of writing a blog often sends even the most dedicated content editor into panic mode. A friend of ours asked for some tips on writing a blog so rather than sending her an email here's our tips for writing your blog.

Plan your blog

Plan your blogs in advance.  If you're writing for your business it's quite a good idea to have a list of titles that you want to write about prepared in advance. This will help you put together an outline of what you want to say before putting fingers to the keyboard.  Personally I find having an 8 week schedule helps me organise my thoughts and and write notes about key items.  When I come to writing the article I'm prepared and not struggling to find the words.

Keep it interesting

We read blogs because they're interesting, we're interested in the person who has written it or there's some information that we're looking for.  Apparently people will spend about 96 seconds (problogger.net) reading your blog. 96 seconds sounds a bit too precise for my liking but if they get board in the first paragraph they'll generally stop reading. Keeping your blog light and easy to read is a great tactic for keeping the attention of those of us who drift.  Also intersperse the paragraphs with sub headers and images to break the text up and highlight sections.

Make sure it's informative

Dont be afraid to share information in your blog that's not commercially sensitive.  From a business perspective keeping your blog informative is a great way for you to empower your audience and build your standing in their eyes.   Also they're more likely to come back if you've given them something on the first visit. 

Make sure it's relevant

If we're not following someone's blog we'll generally stumble upon them through an internet search.  We'll be looking for something and if we dont spot the answer quickly we'll move on to the next search result.  With this in mind make keep the content of your blog relevant to the title of your blog.  Don't wander off track.  If you have another idea then write another post and link to it.  There's nothing worse than landing on the page and finding out that the title was missleading.  If you're writing your business's blog make sure it's relevant to your business it will help increase your exposure in the search engines and show potential clients you know what you're talking about.

Worthy of a mention

If you have used someone elses facts or figures it's a good idea to mention it and link to where you got them from.

Search engine optimised

We often talk to clients about writing a blog to help lift their websites position in the search engines.  If this is one of your goals there are some key things you should do:

• Know what keywords or search terms you are targeting (if you don't know yours speak to our search team)
• Only focus on one of your primary keywords or search terms per blog post
• Make sure that your primary keyword or search term is in the title of the blog post and that you have used it regularly throughout the content of the post
• Make sure that your content is relevant and makes sense and not keyword jibberish designed to fool the search engine
• Link to other blog posts or content on your website

How long

How long your post is depends on what you're writing about but as a guide aim to write between 250 and 500 words. 

Present a balanced opinion

If you're going to express an opinion try to keep it balanced and non arguemtative.

Timing

If like me you write your blog late at night dont publish till the morning.  Come back to it with fresh eyes, read it again and spell check it.  9 times out of 10 you'll spot something in the morning and it's always better that you spot it than someone sends you an email pointing out your error

Comments - on or off?

Our advice is that if you're writing a blog and allow people to comment set your blogging engine so that you see the comments before they are displayed on the website. This will give you the opportunity to remove spam comments.  Instead of removing negative comments, post a counter comment.  You might find other potential customers had the same thought and by posting a reply you change their opinions.

 

Ps.  If you're looking for a photographer in New South Wales look up Lee-Anne Bevan Photography