With so many social media networks around, blog content marketing seems free and easy at first glance. However, it’s neither. It requires a huge investment of time on your part, even if you have helpers, and don’t do all the work yourself. Also, you have to consider that most ambitious bloggers are doing some sort of blog content marketing these days, so you’ll not be the only one working at it. So, to stand out, you will have to be creative, improvise and do things differently.
10 Do’s
Do devise a basic strategy. You don’t need to be a marketing expert to come up with an effective strategy – a basic plan will do. Things planned usually come out better than things unplanned.- Do use keywords in your content. Your content on your blog, as well as your guest posts, social media content, and articles for article directories need to contain the right keywords, those most relevant to your blog.
- Do make your content easy to share on social networks. Implement social media like and share buttons on your web pages for at least Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and StumbleUpon.
- Do consider hiring one or more professional copywriters. Freelancers are easier to hire these days, and they are not too expensive either.
- Do use polls and questionnaires to learn what your readers think. Use them especially when discussing controversial topics.
- Do offer an attractive product, service, or blog that is worth marketing. If you have something valuable to offer, content marketing is much easier.
- Do make content that answers your reader’s questions, that provides them with enlightening information, that gives them a cure for their pains, that encourages them to like, comment, and share.
- Do use engaging titles and headlines, and make the first paragraph, and especially the first sentence, engaging.
- Do focus on guest posting and social media marketing rather than the less effective article marketing.
- Do offer free downloads such as e-books, infographics, and the like. Make these seem that they indeed provide great value.
10 Don’ts
Don’t put all your hopes on Facebook. Consider Google+, StumbleUpon, and especially Pinterest.- Don’t require comment approvals on blog posts. Approve all comments automatically, and moderate later.
- Don’t write content that is relevant only for a short period of time – you’re not writing news. Try to make your content timeless.
- Don’t abuse jargon, or informal language, especially if you want to reach a more general audience, not limited to a specific niche.
- Don’t focus on the technicalities – most people like to do things themselves, and technicalities can easily daunt them.
- Don’t forget about your competitors – always keep an eye on what they are doing, and if their new strategies work, let them inspire you. Don’t copy what they are doing though. It won’t work.
- Don’t try to write all your content yourself. Content-writing will eat your time. Spend your time wisely – hire freelance writers to produce your content.
- Don’t sign up to more social networks than you can handle – social media marketing will take a lot of your time.
- Don’t try to sell what your competitors offer for free. This usually boils down to e-books or guides. Most bloggers compile them from their older posts. Some offer them for free, others ask money for them.
- Don’t overuse social media marketing. It works well, but it will not save you if you have nothing to offer.
Blog content marketing can be extremely effective, and if you follow the do’s and don’ts above, it should get a little easier.
