Not so long ago, companies only needed to create content when they had something new to say, such as when a new product was introduced, or a promotion was launched. Those days are gone.
From blog posts to social media updates, videos, ebooks, webinars and more, you need to consistently produce new content that will get found on the search engines and social networks your customers use to learn about the goods and services they want. When done well, this content improves search engine rankings and attracts a growing pool of new prospects to your business.
Here are 8 ways to drive more, new traffic to your blog:
The following is an excerpt from our ebook, “How to Grow and Scale your Business Blog.” Download a free copy of the ebook here.
1. Publish Original Data
Everyone has an opinion on the web, but people often comment on original data. Results of your own survey or observations make great blog fodder and could earn you some media coverage to boot.
2. Cover it First (and Thoroughly)
Being the first, or one of the firsts, counts for a lot on the web. So does thoroughness. Look to see if there is a popular topic in your industry that few have written about (or written about well). If you find one, start writing.
3. Don’t be Afraid to be Controversial
Agreeing with everyone is safe – and boring. Controversy has a way of garnering attention. So if you have an opinion about a controversial issue, try writing about it. You don’t have to be radical. You can be logical and offer an opinion that refutes commonly held assumptions.
I’m not suggesting you be controversial just for the sake of controversy. But if you have a stance that you are passionate about, and have the data that backs you up, go for it. You’ll be surprised how well people will respond.
4. Feature Industry Examples (with Visuals)
Tangible examples are simple to explain and easy for your readers to understand. They’re inspired by real life examples from others in their industry. Use a compelling photo or infographic to illustrate your example that can be shared on social networks.
5. Ship it with a Must-Click, Eye Catching Title
What’s the first impression of your blog post? The title.
Your title is critical for many reasons. It is often what is shared through social media, it creates the urgency to read the post and it’s what turns up in the search engines. So spend some time on creating one that is:
- Active and prompts the reader to take action
Example: “5 Industry Books You Need to Read”
- Uses strong words
Example: “Get Rid of Problems Once and For All”
- Captures people’s attention with language that compels them to click.
Example: “5 Tips You Can’t Miss”
6. Be Entertaining
Being credible and educational does not equal boring. In fact, it should be the opposite. Personality-driven and entertaining posts are easy to consume, and great fodder for sharing. And you don’t have to always write about serious stuff. Like you, your audience has interests outside of your particular industry. So think fun every once in a while – content that leverages pop culture references, or other emerging trends.
7. Think High-Quality Visuals as Part of your blog content
With the rise of visual-based social networks like Pinterest and Instagram, it is important to incorporate visuals into your blog content. Facebook and Google+ also emphasize photos and graphics. Visual content drives more engagement. According to Simply Measured, just one month after the introduction of Facebook timeline for business pages, visual content – photos and videos – saw a 65% increase in engagement.
8. Seek Guest Blogging Opportunities
Approach other bloggers in a complementary industry about providing an article for their blog. If you have a good story idea, guest blogs are a win-win for both parties. They’ll benefit from your original new content, and you’ll gain exposure and inbound links back to your own blog or website.
When you write your guest blog, be sure to link back to your own blog within your article.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to grow your blog’s traffic and reach, but it is critical for blog marketing. After all, if you’re not constantly finding new visitors, you’ll run out of readers to convert into new business leads.
Image courtesy of duron123 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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