5 Keys to Blog Smarter for Your Business

It’s easy to think:  “UGH! I just need to get a blog posted!”  Creating a blog that actually gets read, and even better gets commented on, is important as a business strategy.  There are smart strategies that will help your blog get better traffic and increase potential customers finding it. Graduates of my bootcamps have said that hits to their blogs went up 50% in ONE DAY just by:

  • Creating a key word title that optimizes search engine visibility
  • Placing 3 to 5 links within the actual body of the blog that are also keyword optimizable, what I call link love.
  • Ending the blog with a call to action.  A question is a great way to tempt others to comment.
  • Posting your blog on your social media sites to encourage followers, friends and connections to read it.
  • Making sure your comment section includes that ability for people to share it with others via social media sites and it will “post” to the blog.

Of course there are many other smart strategies I teach, but these 5 will make a HUGE difference! Take a few moments after writing a blog and do these things to help your blog increase in visibility and readership.

Imagine if you went back to an old blog post and “awakened” it with these tips, what might happen! Which tips have you seemed to most neglect?

 

Ann Evanston, MA, has been named by About.com as one of the Top Six Marketing Consultants, Feb 2011, and recognized in the Huffington Post for her unique approach in using Facebook to increase profits though giving. In October 2008 Ann created the Social Networking Coaching Club, a forum where you get personalized support to learn how to “discover your REAL edge” and make more online in less time with integrity.
  • Wendy Jorgenson

    Thanks, Ann…as always great advice!

  • http://twitter.com/YvonneElmHall Yvonne Hall

    I def need to awaken some old posts with these new strategies!

  • Kirk Zacharda

    Thats what I love about everything you do, allways giving a LPS that go along with the whole strategy of the SNCC way.  For someone new just starting out I dont have to make the mistakes and not do these things I get to start with a great foundation. Thanks Ann

  • Sharon Simons

    Great tips

  • http://MagnoliaJazz.com/blog Robbie Schlosser

    Thanks for these powerful tips! I just added “awaken old posts” to my ToDo List.

  • http://www.facebook.com/yvonneelmhall Yvonne Elm Hall

    I need more info on tip #2 – keyword optimizable links. This is the tip I’ve neglected most.
    Yvonne Hall
    Don’t touch my last bon-bon or we’re gonna fight
    http://wildforwildtree.wordpress.com/

  • http://twitter.com/KathiJoy Kathi Joy

    Ok. lots to learn here. Appreciate having a list of things to start with. Thanks.

  • Anonymous

    So exciting! I thought it was all about the writing, but these little details will make such a difference; particularly getting set up correctly with keywords and proper commenting strategies.

  • http://www.mywealthspa.com Darcie Newton

    Strategery…so important. Thanks.

  • http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/ Jennifer Duchene

    Well you got my attention. I neglect the key word title and and even though I link I dont always check to the link word. I can see that I will have to start paying attention, so that my blogging pays off.
    Jennifer Duchene
    Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle and laughter
    http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/

    H

  • Susan Berland

    As always, great tips, ones that can be immediately put to use. I love that you suggest going back to an old blog and implementing these tips and see what happens!

  • JuliAnn Stitick

    I thought it was to the point, organized and made me want to come back for more- like to find out what Key Word Titles are.

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Connie it’s recommended that you don’t republish for integrity sake. But you ca always share it again on all your social media sites!

  • Connie Umbenhower

    Ann,

    this is a perfect example of what you teach – which is to make our blogs short and to the point with bullets and a great title.

    When awakening an old blog post with some of these tips, do we just update it or re-publish as a new post?

    Thanks Ann.

  • Brenfreay

    Wow, hits go up 50%…that is impressive! Link love and call to action….great stuff. Keeping it short – is best – actually makes me feel better! Things I never would have thought about….thanks for more great information Ann.

  • Fiona Stolze

    This was great Ann. I’m really excited about trying all this out to hone my blogging skills. I think one of the big things I will be getting to grips with is breaking up a bigger topic into a series to get them coming back. Sounds really cool. Thanks. I’m so enjoying this journey.

    Fiona Stolze
    http://fionastolze.wordpress.com

  • Samantha Janney

    Great post Ann. I was most surprised by the importance of a keyword title in helping to increase blog traffic so this is an area that I will be focusing on more in my blog http://samontherun.wordpress.com You also hit on another key idea – keep it short and simple so people can get to the call to action.

  • http://www.wealthships.com Sharon Hiebing

    I do all these things, because you taught me to. The only one I sometimes struggle with is “call to action.” Still working on it. Great tips, Ann!

    Sharon Hiebing
    Follow Your Dream Compass
    http://www.wealthships.com

  • LaurieHurley

    Great guidelines for a newbie like me. Really into the call to action and can’t wait to get some “link love”!

  • Michelle Terlecki

    These are great tips that I will be sure to use when I start my blog:)

  • http://twitter.com/katiemedeiros Katie L Medeiros

    Hi Ann,
    Thanks for breaking such an potentially overwhelming thing down for me. I really look forward to trying some of these tips and becoming more comfortable with the widgets and making it easy for people to share and comment to create that conversation online that starts to build community. Our goal at Cultural Care is not only to gain customers who want live-in childcare, but also to educate people on the benefits of cultural exchange and to create a community that supports this mission. So creating blogs that invite community and support for our program from customers and supporters alike is critical and I can see how these steps can help us attract some raving fans (even those that don't have an au pair currently).

    Katie Medeiros
    http://www.culturalcare.com

  • Beth Gabriel

    There seems to be soooo much info. out there. How do I get a unique spin on my blog? That is the trickiest thing for me since many LCCs out there have the same target market plus we get paid so little to incorporate this into our daily routine….

  • Ronhori

    Like it.

  • Ronhori

    Like it.

  • Rebecca Cronin

    very helpful Ann love the “link love”.. and ending the blog with a call to action. I can't wait to start blogging and see how visible I can get…

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Sharon has really worked on it- you can too woman! Your personality shines through when you write- love that!

  • http://www.sisterwisdom.com/blog/ Annie @ Sister Wisdom

    I really need to work on my keyword titles. And my links. Okay, and ending with a call to action. I've been doing that a bit more lately but need to be consistent with it… Have to check out that comment bit. I know I have “like” buttons but not sure it posts back to my blog. Thanks, Ann, for quick and practicable tips. I need that! (Oops and I'm one of those “LONG POSTERS” too like Sharon mentioned. Oh dear.)

  • mayazaido

    Thank you for the needed info, Ann!
    I enjoy the way that you write – clearly and to the point.
    Love that you call the links…link love.
    I will def use your info.
    Thanks again,
    Maya @animalswisdom

  • http://www.sendoutcards.com/shiebing Sharon Hiebing

    Yes, I do!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    And you know being a grad of my bootcamp that I think 250-400 words is plenty long enough!!

  • http://www.sendoutcards.com/shiebing Sharon Hiebing

    From what I see, the most neglected is including links. I also think most people make their blogs just too darn long, so people never get to the call to action if there is one, or comment. Thanks for all the great strategies, Ann!

    Sharon Hiebing
    Creating Wealth through Caring & Connecting
    http:earningincomefromhome.wordpress.com

  • http://www.fabulousfinds-elena.blogspot.com/ elena daciuk

    see? another reason to take your class…=) i do not have that…but you are right…it would definately help…now if i could just figure out how to set it up…haha…thanks for your help!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Elena – does the twitter steam show up below comments like mine does (http://www.warrior-preneur.com/2009/11/05/think…) ? It give the “illusion of comments which helps others start commenting!

  • http://www.fabulousfinds-elena.blogspot.com/ elena daciuk

    great tips…i just started my blog in sept…and have to tell you…love when there are comments…i find though…that i have more readers commenting on my twitter status announcing a blog post…than the actual blog….hopefully you will be offering this class again…as i am unable to make the 12/11 date…
    http://www.fabulousfinds-elena.blogspot.com

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Thanks Diane! I am looking forward to teaching these and give specific help to participants blogs on 12/11!

  • http://dianaplaciakiene.yolasite.com DianaPlaciakiene

    Great article! Simple but powerful strategies that makes blogging really simple and even enjoyable.