Blogging fit – 5 smart ways to keep fans interested

Trying to send a message across the internet is almost impossible without loyal followers already listening to what you have to say.  Whether you are a lone writer or a large company CEO, there are so many people and businesses all trying to get their word across, that collecting followers –and keeping them, is one of the most difficult and yet crucial aspects of successful online communication.  Make sure that the content you’re producing is top quality.

If you keep in mind these 5 tips on how to gain readers and gather followers, it’s actually not that hard:

Tip 1:  Do you know what you are doing?

Determine why it is that you are blogging and what you hope to achieve.  Your aim should be to provide information and offer solutions to your audience, rather than use it as an opportunity for self-promotion – a common misconception of the use of a company blog.  No one likes to be buried under piles of promotional material.  A blog is not an online advertising leaflet.

• Are you providing product information?
• Solutions to common challenges of your industry?
• Are you provoking a conversation to bring about change?

Your audience needs to know what you’re providing and from there they will decide whether your blog will be their go-to for that type of information.

Tip 2:  Mind your language

Don’t talk down to your audience.  If people are reading your blog then there is already an understanding of the basic concept of what it is you do.

The person reading your blog has access to the internet and can obviously read (and write!).  If they feel as though you are being condescending or using language that is obviously reserved for a simpleton, then instead of making them smarter from the knowledge gained from your insights, you’re just going to make yourself or your brand seem arrogant and exclusive.

Speak the language of your listeners.  Pick a tone and a recognisable “voice”.  Be conversational, use images, shareable quotes and even your own illustrations, to make your point interesting and stand out from the crowds.

Tip 3:  Don’t ignore the technical stuff

Be SEO friendly.  This is the technical aspect of being creative.  A blog that is well-written and insightful that ignores SEO practices might just as well be printed, stuffed into a bottle and thrown into the ocean.  Because the likelihood of it being read by the people it is addressed to, is the same as the message in a bottle washing up on the doorstep of its intended.

Do your research on other sites offering the same information, keep a list of keywords and brush up your knowledge on Google’s latest algorithms.

Tip 4:  Always be social

Keep up on social media.  Everyone you speak to will have a social media preference.  Make sure that if they read your blog and want more, that they can get updates on their social media of choice.  If your blog is difficult to “follow” or there are no obvious ways to find you without sifting through your website to find your blog page again, people will be less likely to return to it.

Remember we are continuously bombarded with information.  If your blog is not popping up in that constant stream of information you will most likely be lost forever to that reader.  Always include widgets on your blog that allow people to make a decision about following you immediately after reading your post, and be sure to keep your social media flowing with up to date information.

Tip 5:  Be a follower yourself

Just because everyone in your industry is talking about a certain topic, doesn’t mean you should avoid it and try to steer the conversation in a different direction.

If a topic is trending then it means it is relevant and worth the time to discuss it.  Be a part of the conversation.  You don’t have to say what everyone else is saying but you could find a different angle or even write an opinion piece about it. If it’s relevant to your business then don’t assume you’re above what the masses are discussing.  Instead jump at the opportunity to discuss it with the masses.  Better yet, start the discussion yourself!

If your content is shared by someone, it’s a valuable endorsement purely because it’s the perfect opportunity to gain new followers.  As Facebook spokesperson Maria Lucich said, “People share, read and generally engage more with any type of content when it is surfaced through friends and people they know and trust.”