Creating online content that stands out from the crowd can feel challenging. There’s so much content being posted online everyday it can feel hard to write unique and compelling content that will appeal to your audience.
Here are 5 insider tips for how to regularly write content for your blog, eNewsletters and social media posts.
Step 1: Research
Before you sit down to write, take some time to find out what your competitors, peers and colleagues are writing about.
As you scan the blog and social media posts, write down any of the topics and ideas that stand out.
Now use the next 10-15 minutes to go through the list and work out how you can write about similar ideas but from a different angle.
For example, if you’re a Physiotherapist you may notice that your competitors are posting content about the dangers of sitting at a desk all day, but they’re not providing any solutions. You could create a series of blog posts that gives the reader simple exercises and stretches to do every hour.
Step 2: Choose 3-4 areas to write about
It can feel really overwhelming trying to write regular content if you don’t focus on your key areas of expertise.
Finding it hard to work out what you’re good at? Ask yourself the following questions:
- “What areas in my business do I get so excited about that I can talk about them all day and night?” (Tip – take the time to figure this out because if you’re not excited about the topic you’re writing about, it won’t sound like you!)
- “What do my clients and peers tell me that I’m good at?” (Tip – think about the phone calls, emails and testimonials you’ve had from your clients saying ‘thanks so much for helping me with __________”)
Step 3 – Create fabulous content every week
You don’t need to write a blog article every week in order to have new content to share.
Online content can be:
- A blog post
- A social media post
- An infographic, or
- A photo with a link to your sales and services pages…
One way to strengthen your content creation muscle is to set a challenge where you write a balance of inspirational, informative, promotional and fun posts and schedule them into your calendar.
Step 4 – Checks to make before you post online
Before you post or publish anything online, you need to check there aren’t any spelling or grammatical errors.
Tip – reading the post out loud will help you pick up any errors.
Next, check if you’ve written it to one person. Writing content with one person in mind will make it sound more friendly and helpful.
Tip – imagine that you’re talking to a good friend and they’ve asked you about the topic you’re writing about – what would you say to them?
Step 5 – Harness the power of Google to promote your online content
The next step to promoting your content is to share your blog content and posts online using social media. While most businesses use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn there are only a handful of businesses that are harnessing the power of Google by using Google Plus.
Google Plus combines the best elements of other social media platforms with the added power of helping your website rank in Google! A Google Plus business page can help you build your brand online, while sharing updates and building followers.
Your business page (like your Google Plus personal profile page) can also help you:
- Create quality connections with people you know and want to know,
- Share fabulous images, videos and photos
- Discover new content, and
- Build your readership while boosting your web traffic.
Like to get into Google Plus but not sure how? Melinda Samson and I have developed a video training product specifically for Australian business owners. Find out more about “Get into Google+”.
Here are some tips on how to post on Google Plus:
- Post the blog on your business page and later in the day re-share it on your personal page with “In case you missed it, I blogged about this over here today…”
- Use the same hash tags as your target keywords (but don’t use too many!)
- Share with your communities. (Tip – Google Plus communities are a fabulous way to find new people to follow, build your online profile and to exchange information with like-minded people. Here’s the link to the Awe Inspiring Australian Business Community Melinda and I set up.)
Writing online content that connects with your audience by being useful and helpful will make your business stand out from the online noise. Need some help creating online content or managing your Google Plus pages? Contact me here.
About our Guest Blogger
Kylie Saunder writes and promotes online content that’s unique and engaging. She works with small to medium business owners and entrepreneurs who don’t have the time or energy to create and promote their own online content.
Kylie writes blogs, website content, social media posts and eNewsletters using her client’s voice to connect with their audience. Plus, she helps her clients tap into the power of Google+ by building their followers, managing their community, engaging with their audience and promoting their content and services. Contact Kylie here.