Wondering whether blogging is still relevant for your business in 2021 and beyond? Some simple numbers could answer that. B2B companies that published 11+ blogs per month generated 3X more traffic than firms blogging less than twice a month, says an article by HubSpot. Given that almost the entire world went online for all their needs in 2020, a trend that has persisted into 2021, custom online content might be more important than ever before.
Blogging about current news events, the movies of the year, tips, and tricks on various things and even on the hottest trends all get lapped up. However, for people to not just read your blog once but to keep them coming back, you need to get some things right.
Stay Updated on Keyword Trends
Search Engine Optimization is key to making your content discoverable online. And to ensure optimal SEO, you need to know what terms people are using today to search for your offerings online. Blogs lead to 97% more indexed links, says an article by Demand Metric. So, go ahead and use keyword tools like Google Keyword Planner, Long Tail Pro, etc. With the right keywords in the right places, you can improve the ranking of your website on Google and other search engines.
Make it Visual
If you want to engage the reader, make them stay on your page and share your content, add visual aids. This is because only 16% of readers online go through content word-by-word, says an article by the Nielsen Norman Group. The majority is scanning, looking for quick information. Plus, research has proven that the brain processes images much faster than words. So, make sure to add charts, polls, screenshots, infographics, and images. Colors catch the eye and stimulate interest. You might also appear in visual searches. Many people look for images. So, if you link an image or use appropriate alt text, it will make your images easier to discover online.
Multimedia & Multi-Platform
A trend that can really make your blog stand out is including interactive media. Trivia quizzes, polls, and Q&As can keep your audience engaged, says a post on content ideas published by Carlstrom Productions. This means they are likely to spend more time on your blog. eCommerce Carousels go amazingly well with visual searches. This idea also works for kids, if you plan on visual learning, given how online classes have proliferated over the past year. Also, make sure you share your content across different platforms, such as social media. Don’t forget to allow readers to share your blogs on their social media feeds too.
Ensure Relevant and Useful Content
Quality is rated as the #1 most important aspect of a blog. This isn’t surprising given that 34% of buyers make unplanned purchases after reading high quality content, according to a blog by Semrush. So, make sure your content adds value for the reader. Also, can the reader expect to get something new from you on a regular basis? Regular blogging, whether once a week or once a month, builds expectations and keeps people coming back to check if there’s something new. If you are unpredictable, how will your audience be predictable for you?
Many blogs focus on clickbait and people are tired of them. Many countries legally hold people liable if they post fake news or make false promises. South Africa has a new regulation where all online content is considered “regulated press,” so the National Press Council has access to it all. So, regardless of what you are blogging about, provide accurate information.
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