I do a mind map once a month and then spend a day or two blogging. Although this sounds stressful a whole day or two a month lost on blogging .. in terms of PR, website traffic and ultimately sales its a very good use of my time.
- Jot down a list of subjects applicable to your blog/business
- Promote a product or service .. I would limit this to once a month you don’t want you blog to ‘appear‘ like a sales pitch.
- Have a weekly/monthly feature (depending on how many times you decide to blog) – I have a weekly Day in the Life …. its a great way to highlight the constant juggling act of mums in business and the great things they have achieved. It also frees me up from writing 4 posts a month and gives others the opportunity to utilise my fan-base (Facebook, Twitter and blog readers). I am also very likely to get a ‘ping-back’ in the comments as the person profiled will blog about being on my blog … increasing my SEO and keeping my content fresh.
- Keep an eye on what’s in the news etc. … keep your blog topical, relevant and up to date.
- Guest blogs … ask people to write for you.
- Reviews – blagging free products from companies is always great for blogs … they don’t even need to really be relevant to your business … reviewing products for children using your own children gives your blog that personal edge. But make sure you don’t mislead people do say if its a product you’ve been given for free to review and be honest in your review. OFT have investigated bloggers and there is a whole case online. it’s not complicated just make sure your post states it is a review, the item was sent to you for free etc. … sometime companies may ask you to post and pay you a fee .. state this is a sponsored link. I have a Disclosure Policy and suggest you do too.
- Competitions – lots of businesses will give you products to give away on your blog. It’s good PR for them as they are likely to reach a whole new audience via your blog. On my blog I’ve been lucky enough to be given business books to give-away including one from ex-dragon Rachel Elnaugh (the power of twitter)
- Think about different media .. you could add a video, audio or even just an image … Wordless Wednesday or Silent Sunday ( ) is literally where bloggers just pop a photo on their blog and that’s it!!
- and in some cases .. just blog!!! Sometimes you might just have the urge to write something so go with it!
- If you have a Fanpage it can be useful to post a question on there then use the information collated to write a post. Credit comments and suggestions to those that made them, their business and their Fanpage and you will find they will write you more comments! If you don’t have Fanpage get one!
- If you’re not writing just business posts decide if you want people to know the name of your children, husband and details about your life. If you don’t keep it consistent, using the same nicknames in each post.
- If your blog is integrated onto your main website (if you sell a product or service for example) ensure you use your keywords and hyper link to your product/service/main website
If you like these tips don’t forget to get hold of my Blogging for Business e-book for just £3
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I love these tips Joanne, I find I get all fired up when these challenges are on, then it wanes as I get busier into the year. It’s a great idea to spend a day a month writing blogs – that’s just what I did on the weekend and I got 13 done! Thanks heaps
Jeanne
Hi Joanne – being brand new to blogging – as in started on Jan 1, those tips are really helpful for me too. I have a heap of blogs written as have been writing in the lead up but was wondering about keeping on top of new content. Love the idea of one writing/creative day per month.
Glad you have found them useful ladies – I enjoy blogging especially now I’m on top of it. When a job feels like a chore then its no good!
Great tips here Joanne. I like the idea of a day in the life…Think I’ll try that one
Hi Joanne,
Great tips you have here. I utilize some of these ideas and instead of using a mindmap, I use and excel sheet or Powerpoint smart art tools to make a mindmap from there.
I try and map out one day a week to do all of my writing but I like how you outline your plan monthly instead.
I will give these tips a try. Thanks again,
Cindy
Good tips…
The other thing to do is to split long posts into two or more parts – that way you more posts for your idea!
Great advice Joanne, I am keeping your blog post open on my laptop so I can jot down some of your tips… 🙂
Great stuff there Joanne – need to start thinking outside the box more!
great post, I wish it was only 1 or 2 days a month lost to blogging, I seem to lose at least 10 if not more!!!
I’ve decided I need to invest in a voice recorder, I always have great ideas for Blogs when I’m driving my sons to nursery but by the time I sit down at my computer to write them my mind goes blank again!
Some fab advice from you as always! I’m hoping this blog challenge will really get me into the habit so I can at least manage a weekly blog from Feb onwards.
fantastic post, thats give me a few ideas 😀 thank you x
your welcome Elaine 🙂