Today I read that there are an estimated 45 billion webpages live on the Internet as of April, 2016. Even a week from now, a month or a year from now, can you imagine how that number will have exploded?
Talk about a crowded market!
With so much happening on the Internet, how can you craft something that actually stands out to your market? That people will care about, and that will be helpful to them?
Here are three things to keep in mind when you're creating content that you really want to connect with others in a meaningful way.
Tip #1: It's About Them
There are many, many written pieces in the blogosphere that don't hit home because they're written just for the benefit of the narrator. You've probably seen a lot of them - indulgent articles about someone's experience, long pieces chronicling a story that may or may not be funny or relevant.
A self-reflective piece that is insightful and well-written can be engaging, but when there's no "greater lesson" or takeaway for the reader, it might as well be a journal entry.
You're in business to help people. Your product or service generates income for you because it makes someone else's life better, and because of that, people are willing to pay for what you offer.
In your blog writing it's just as important to communicate something of value. Make sure you're contributing to your audience... otherwise you probably won't have much of an audience.
Tip #2: Tune into Their Questions and Comments
When you do post a blog article, pay attention to the feedback you receive (hint: if you're not receiving any feedback, see Tip #1).
People may post questions or comments or they may reach out to you directly. Pay attention to what they're saying - the things that motivate them to speak up are the same things that can be major selling points for your business.
If someone is complaining about a problem they have, what a great opportunity for you to step in with a solution! If someone asks a question about an aspect of your blog post, that's a little clue about what your tribe is thinking.
These little crumbs offer valuable insight into how your potential customers are thinking and feeling. Gold!
Tip #3: Grammar, Punctuation and Sentence Structure
I always get paranoid when I talk about the importance of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Murphy's Law would demand that these are exactly the moments where I'd get something wrong!
Those fears aside, it's very important that your blog writing is always proof-read and edited. Just like you invest time, energy and finances into having great photos and branding, the written content on your website must come off as professional.
If words are misspelled or missing, if you're incorrectly using words or phrases, if your writing just isn't easy to understand then it's time to think about delegating the task.
Remember, your blog is one of your first opportunities to connect with new potential clients. It's often the first impression you make on a new person! You wouldn't want to shake hands with a new potential client with a huge piece of spinach in your teeth and garlic breath, and having poorly written content on your website is essentially the same thing (maybe worse).
(If you'd like a little help in the writing arena, please click HERE to connect with a member of the Blog Babe team.)
How do you create content that connects with your audience? I want to know! Leave a comment in the area below to share your ideas.
Allison Volk specializes in creating authority and visibility for businesses and entrepreneurs through effective content marketing. Her clients have appeared in The Huffington Post, Forbes.com, Mind Body Green, LifeHack, Bitter Lemons and DentalTown.com, to name a few. Find out more at www.TheBlogBabe.com.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.