As a copywriter, I get asked to write all sorts of things. One day I can be creating an annual report for a finance company, the next I can be writing website copy for a dentist. But the one question I get asked the most is – will you write my blog?

What was once a popular niche has exploded into the mainstream. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, blogging is a simple and cost-effective way to share your message with the world.

Why is blogging so popular?

There are numerous reasons why blogging has become so popular. But the main one is the fact that it connects you to your audience.

It gives your business a personality and establishes you as an authority in your industry. It is the cheapest form of advertising you will find and an easy way to generate content for your social media sites.

How often do I need to blog?

This is the million dollar question. Most ‘experts’ will tell you should blog on a daily basis. And while this is great in theory, it is often difficult in practice.

In my opinion, it depends on the products or services you are trying to sell. It also depends on your resources and budget.

The one thing I will say is that having a blog that lies idle for too long is worse than not having a blog at all.

A blog that lies dormant for months on end will give your customers the impression that you are lagging behind your competitors and that your business is doing badly.

So basically, if you decide to add a blog to your website, make sure it is updated regularly or your customers and google will penalise you for it.

How do I create a great blog?

There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your blog hits the mark every time.

1. Choose a topic of interest to your audience – if your customers are interested in fitness, don’t write blog posts about how to fix sheds. Sounds logical, right? Trust me, I’ve seen websites with the strangest content. Content that has nothing to do with the services they offer and that will be of no benefit to their customers.

2. Write a strong headline – headlines are one of the most important elements when it comes to writing blog posts. If your headline doesn’t grab your audience, they won’t bother reading your post. All your hard work will be wasted. There are plenty of great tips on the internet regarding writing headlines. Do your research and make your blog posts count.

3. Watch your tone – when writing a blog, the first thing you need to consider is your target audience. Are they professionals, scientists, tradesmen, members of the general public? Once you establish who you are writing for, you can decide on the tone of your blog.

4. Make your content scannable – these days everyone wants instant gratification, so make sure your blog is easy to read. Use short sentences and paragraphs, sub-headings, numbered lists, bullet points, diagrams, and images that enhance your post and promote your message.

5. Watch your word count – opinions regarding word count are constantly changing. Latest studies show that longer posts get more social shares and are better for SEO. But shorter posts get more comments and feedback. In my opinion, the length of your blog posts should be determined by your audience and also by your resources.

How do I generate ideas for my blog posts?

In order to write blogs posts, you need to have an endless supply of ideas. Ideas are easy to come by at first but a few months down the track, you will probably find that the well has run dry.

There are a number of ways to generate topics for your posts including talking to customers, keyword research, scanning social media, forums, and other online communities.

There is no doubt that blogging is beneficial to your business. It is an effective tool for building credibility, increasing website traffic and attracting new customers.

Starting a blog might seem daunting, but once it is up and running, the payoff will be worth the effort. So what are you waiting for?

If you need a copywriter to help you write your content, contact me for a free quote.