How do you get more people to read your blog? I mean a company blog is a necessity for keeping your brand relevant, keeping your customers engaged, and ensuring your company's visibility (and if you're not convinced this is a must-read), but what exactly makes great content writing? What makes people want to read your blog? Because quality writing can make or break your blog, I've put together a list of the most critical elements of your design-world blog.
#1. Great Title
A great title is something that will grab your audience’s attention and prepare them for what they’re about to read. A smart title is the first step to getting more readers to your blog. A grabby title doesn’t necessarily have to mean clickbait titles. Maybe there’s a more run-of-the-mill subject you want to cover which will answer a really pressing question you get always get from clients. Sure, it may not be as sensational as a Buzzfeed-style headline, but it’s still just as clickable for your audience.
#2. Clear, Direct intro statement
Similar your title, you want to let your readers know what they’re in for within the first sentence or two of your blog entry. That doesn’t mean literally copy and paste your title in the first sentence, but it does mean expounding upon the actual topic at hand. Playing off your blog’s title will also help your blog entry when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). By reinforcing the idea or keyword(s) that your blog discusses, you help Google do its job. When Google does its job, more people will read your blog. How is that you ask? Well, if you've tied your intro statement and title together well, Google is more likely to return your blog in someone's search results when they google that term or keyword,
letting your personality come through on your blog will help define your brand's identity. photo via marni and laine's apartment therapy 'atomic safari' house tour.
#3. Personality
Developing your own voice can boost your content. It helps your audience associate a personality with your brand. A brand’s personality is often the driving force behind why consumers buy a particular brand’s product, or use its services. For example, a real estate broker colleague of mine once told me she switched brokerages to Sotheby’s Realty because real estate clients in her neighborhood wanted the luxury that’s associated with a brand like Sotheby’s. We buy Tom’s shoes not because they’re beautiful but because of the brand’s personality and what it represents. Yes, a fashion company, a real estate brokerage, an architecture firm, a design studio, they all have personalities - what personality do you want to cultivate, and should you cultivate, for your brand?
#4. Substance
This may sound obvious but I can’t tell you how many blogs I read that literally offer readers nothing - no substance. They simply talk around the topic at hand. A great blog will offers readers enough so that they feel good about reading, and want to come back for more. To give your readers substance you can answer pressing questions, or give them a behind-the-scenes peek into a new project. There's nothing worse than letting your consumers leave your blog empty-handed.
great imagery can hep your brand connect with consumers. what is yours doing? view more original STRUKTR photography here.
#5. VISCERAL IMAGERY
You can't skimp on aesthetics when it comes to a design blog. You can't, let's face it that's just a deal- breaker. Make sure that your imagery tells a visual story alongside your written story. Make sure that your imagery is evocative and sharp. And make sure that you have rights to use that imagery. Utilizing original brand photography in your content marketing can go a long way to cultivate a cohesive brand identity for your company.
LEARN HOW TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A BLOG THAT WORKS FOR YOU AS OPPOSED TO ONE THAT MAKES YOU WORK.