So, perhaps I’ve piqued your interest in blogging more.. (did you check it out? If not, have a read here) but now you’re left wondering, what on earth shall I blog about?
First off, it’s important at all times to write first for your reader – your ideal client and your target audience.
Yes it’s an opportunity to showcase how brilliant you are, but first and foremost write for your ideal client – what are they searching for, what do they want to know, how can reading your blog solve a particular question, problem or missing gap in their knowledge?
You can at all times position yourself as the knowledgeable expert that you are but it’s important to remember not to just write lists of all the things you’re great at.
So where do you start with coming up with ideas for blogs. Here’s a few ideas to get you going
Your two biggest sources of ideas will come from:
ONE
Listen to what your clients are asking you, when they make enquiries, engage on social media, what questions do they ask? What are their pain points and what can you write around finding a solution?
TWO
What are you an expert in and how can you share your experience in your blogs? Don’t undersell yourself – grab a pen and paper and write at least 6 areas you’re an expert in! Write about those and how your knowledge and experience helps your ideal client.
Other ideas to get you going….
- What are the most frequently asked questions your customers ask?
- What are the biggest myths in your industry?
- What do your customers need to know to make good purchasing decisions?
- What is the story behind the founding of your company?
- What is the story behind your new product or service?
- What is a customer success story that you can share?
- What is a day in the life of your business like?
- What is a statistic about your customer base? (run a survey or poll to find out)
- What is your opinion about where your industry is heading?
- What are the most common mistakes you see people making in your industry?
- What do you recommend customers read or watch?
- What is a lesson you learned in the last year?
- Provide a checklist relevant to something your customers might do
- What were the key takeaways from a conference or industry event that you attended?
- What are the latest trends that are emerging in your industry?
- Who is an industry leader that you could interview?
- Who is a customer you could profile/interview?
- Write up a talk or presentation you gave
- What was the biggest challenge your company had in the last year?
- What is a hot discussion/debate that happened in your business recently that you could recap or involve your readers in?
- Review a book your customers should read.
- Review a tool, product or service relevant to your customers
- What mistakes have you made and what did you learn?
- Provide a wrap up of must read/follow blogs and/or social media accounts in your industry.
There are many ways to present your blogs.
Here are 8 of the most common types that I see and use:
- HOW TO GUIDES
The most common form of blogs. And there’s a reason. We often turn to the internet to help us out and to solve a problem. Your ideal clients are the same. You can help them solve it by creating a step-by-step post that walks them through a solution.
When starting out with blogging, many business owners are afraid of the how-to post. They think, “If I show them how to do my job, why would they hire me?” Let’s be honest, if a written blog or video is going to give everything you’ve got, your concerns should probably be moved elsewhere!
How to blogs establish your credibility and expertise. Even if a reader chooses to do it on their own, at least they know about your business and may consider you for other opportunities in the future.
2. LISTS
List blogs make it easy for your readers to read, share and put into action. And they offer help in the quickest amount of time.
Again, used frequently and there’s a reason. It’s effective!
These kind of blogs include 5 top ways to…., 3 top tips…., 7 proven steps to …..
3. CHEAT SHEETS, CHECKLISTS AND TO DO LISTS
Cheat sheets, checklists, and to do’s. As mentioned, people turn to blogs as they’re looking for help, looking for answers and your expertise. You could add in a PDF or resource they can download (this could be your lead magnet / freebie used to capture email addresses).
4. REVIEWS
A straight up review of a product or a blog comparing and contrasting multiple similar products. These type of posts generate interest from people who will ultimately need your services.
5. INFO-GRAPHICS
Everyone loves a good info-graphic as they’re so easy to find and read. These will include an engaging image that appeals to your ideal client and covers an insight linked to hot topics, often with lots of stats and ‘did you know’ statements.
Info-graphics are widely shared so great for blogging and raising your visibility. Check out Canva to help you create an image – they have some brilliant templates.
6. VIDEOS
If you’re already creating video, great, embed it into a blog. Write a few paragraphs so that it’s found or if you can a transcript of your video.
7. INTERVIEWS
Interviews are a great way to take the pressure off you to create content. Talk to industry leaders and satisfied customers to get a different perspective you can share with your audience.
8. GUEST POSTS
Getting outside experts to contribute to your blog gives you fresh content without having to write it all yourself.
If you’re going down the guest post route, make sure you set up editorial guidelines and process are in place to vet the quality of the work.
I’d love to hear whether you’re already blogging and if this helps or if it’s helping you to take action. Come and join me in my free Facebook group. If you’re looking for specific training I’ve got you covered with an hour of training in the Thrive Collective Membership (if you’re not a member check out www.thrivecollective.club)
Join me shortly for part THREE of my blogging series. Where I’ll be sharing more about how to recycle and repurpose your blog.
I’m Sam Dixon, founder of Thrive With Sam Dixon, a Marketing Consultant to ambitious businesswomen who want to launch, grow and scale their business with flexible marketing support.
For a free 30 minute discovery call get in touch by email hello@thrivewithsam.com or come join Thrive Collective, my monthly membership community. JOIN HERE.