Here, we want to offer some simple, but powerful tips in making your blog not only worth reading, but also irresistible to your audience.
Getting your blog off to a great start is easier than you think.
Each quarter of the fiscal year should be approached using a revised strategy based on trends and what worked and didn’t work the previous quarter. Plan your regular blogs entries around specific trending topics as well as pain points your customers are reporting.
At the end of each quarter, analyze your results:
If results take longer than a quarter to become apparent, you might have to backlog analysis a month or so.
The idea is to set up traceable blogging habits so that your adjustments can be based on measurable metrics and observations.
Find out who would read a blog produced by you, your company, or brand. Your core audience will be those who are interested in your company’s primary value proposition.
Your blog should eventually point people to your top-selling products or services, but first and foremost you want to figure out what those people need and cater to their needs.
People like to feel as if they have special access to a unique and valuable resource. Create this feeling by:
The idea is to create the feeling of being part of an in-group with access to a unique and valuable material resource. Look at any successful niche magazine, and you’ll see they focus foremost on leveraging a unique perspective.
Creating the feeling of an in-group is indispensable. An important part of doing that is delivering new content at a regular pace and time.
A quick way to turn off users seeking relevant information? Have them see your most recent blog was published April 22, 2013.
The idea is to allow your audience to generally know when to visit to get the freshest content. Slap a date under the header, and turn out those blogs in a timely fashion. Remember, blogging doesn’t have to be perfect, nor do you need to spend 7 hours writing each blog.
Part of your goal is to create a niche community around your core value proposition. To do this, address seldom discussed information, as well as rare tips and insights that your audience needs. Then give them a place to discuss them.
This can be as simple as adding a comment section, or setting up a separate forum page if you’re a larger company.
Share your blogs on business-branded social media accounts and allow discussion to happen there, too. Speaking of which ...
It’s ridiculously important to promote your blog. What’s the point of creating something helpful if nobody sees it?
You absolutely need a social media campaign, first and foremost. Start with:
Consider email marketing Include your blog site in advertising and business cards, and refer people to it any time you get the chance.
If they’re interested in your product or service, they will be interested in a quality blog on the subject. But they have to know about it first.
The call-to action (CTA) is a touchy thing. You need them to help new members of your core audience find their way to another blog, a long-form offer, and eventually a purchase page. But you do not want to come off trite, condescending, or sales-y. Sometimes keeping it simple is best -- especially if you’re a no-frills kind of outfit.
“Call 867-5309 to learn more about our Custom Steel Products” is probably going to work better than “Call 857-5309 to buy our Amazing, Earth-Friendly, Luxury Steel Offers!!!”
CTAs should be readable at a glance. In fact, you really want someone to read them accidentally. That way they don’t feel imposed upon, and they get the message almost subliminally.
These tips should help you not only start a manufacturing blog, but also keep it running just as smoothly as your production line.
If you’re struggling to find inspiration for your blog, maybe some topic suggestions would help. How about these resources?