June
A lot of businesses start a blog and soon realize that there’s no traffic coming in. Even the big names out there with millions of dollars can upload their latest blog entries that no one ever reads. And there are a bunch of reasons why this happens: lack of fresh content, lack of tone, lack of audience insight, etc. On the other hand, the number one reason that you’re not bringing in the numbers is that the world doesn’t even know about you and your blog in the first place.
It’s going to take a lot out of you besides the typical hosting of a WordPress blog using my friends at Bluehost and publishing here and there updates. You shouldn’t see your blog as a marketing tool that runs 24/7/365, see it as something that’ll change people’s lives, and sets its own standards on what marketing should be. And if that’s the angle you’ve been working with, it’s a wise choice to change up your model right now.
I’ll assume that you’ve been writing thought provoking, highly informative material already, so what I’m about to say should greatly help you come up with new ideas in getting your brand known.
Mix the old with the new
Now that you’ve been getting used to adding your website details to your social media profiles and leaving them in your fellow blogger’s comment section, you should do the same thing when it comes to traditional marketing, such as business cards, e-mail signatures, brochures, store fronts, personalized letters, etc.
You should always be thinking about how to combine the old with the new, including hosting events where people vote for something on your Facebook page in person. Another great tip is much more subtle than that, as well. Think about the times you’ve attended a trade show or gave a brief presentation? Just imagine the amount of opportunities that were available to you to give out free promotional products or a spot to advertise your website address.
See-oh your content
Even though it takes much, much more than just hosting a simple WordPress blog to attract a following, it helps to SEO your content. I would advise you to include the hottest search terms and phrases in all of your titles, but always focus on the few that caters to your specific niche. Your goal is to hone it down to a few terms and phrases, then if you have the time, go ahead for a couple more by creating new content with that subject in mind. Another smart move is to link your previous work within the content of latest work, and, once again, go easy with it.
Connect with your audience
Besides writing for your audience, seek other avenues that they’re using. Have you noticed them to be more on Facebook? Are they casual visitors of related sites in your industry? Create an identity where your audience hangs out at, and you’ll soon gain a gradual following. You don’t have to spend hour after hour on each site, but just enough to leave thought provoking insights that peaks their interest. As you continue to lay brick after brick, keep in mind to always promote your latest entries. Add a Twitter link to each post, use a WordPress plugin that easily allows your readers to keep tabs on you, include a Google +1 button, etc.
Now that you’re becoming a part of your community, keep in mind to always connect beyond a business standpoint. And when you post your latest entry on Twitter, you should make it worth your readers’ time to retweet it to their friends and family.
Linky link
If you want people to remain on your site, link from one post to another related post. Check out how other sites are doing it and learn from them. If you want, you can create a sense of being for your cause. It shouldn’t be something in their face, but more along the lines of sliding it underneath their perceived awareness. Most of the time, if your visitors love what your saying, they’ll take the time to conduct a bit of research on your activity.
These are just a few points to help you lay a social media foundation, but I also welcome your own unique spin on things. For the people out there who live for social media, what angles have you worked on that have returned the most bang for your buck? What are some of the biggest mistakes that you’ve experienced? Feel free to let the rest of us know.
