I’m passionate about blog content so I was thrilled to speak about this subject at the Say Hello Blogger Event in Brisbane on 11 March 2012 together with Jacqui from CRAPMamma.com.
{image courtesy of SugerCoatIt}
Firstly, I have to say I enjoyed working with Jacqui (there on the right). Our passion and ideas about blogging and content are so in-tune, working with her was an inspiring experience.
Blogger Workshop
The workshop was relaxed and informative. It was a fabulous day!
I’m listing below, a (very quick) snapshot of what I spoke about in the Creating Content and Building Your Audience segment of the workshop.
Approach to Blogging
The mindset behind your blog is just as important as what you write. I believe the way you think sets the tone for all content on the blog.
- Believe you have something to offer
- Invest in your passion
- Find your voice
- Give value to readers
- Develop as a person & blogger
Where to find Content
Content is everywhere. Once you have your focus, things to write about become more apparent. It’s like when you buy a new car: once you’re on the road, you see them everywhere! The cars were always there, of course, it’s just the focus that has changed.
- Think like a blogger. Look for bloggable opportunities as you live life.
- Read blogs. Be inspired by other blogs but DON’T copy. Be unique.
- Ask questions. Social media channels can be a great place to ask questions of readers. This may turn into content for the blog.
- Use the media. Watch out for hot topics that are relevant to your niche in the media and put your spin on it.
- Be aware of events and holidays. Stay one step ahead of events and holidays like Easter and Christmas.
- Do giveaways & reviews: Depending on what type of blog you have, giveaways can be a fun way to spice up content and create excitement for readers.
- Invite guests posters. A different perspective can bring something new to your blog.
- Run interviews. This can be a good option for those who don’t have time to guest post. Usually an interview will take less time and be more achievable for both parties.
- Collaborate with other bloggers. Join with other like-minded bloggers to produce interesting content. This may be in the form of a linky or meme.
- Brainstorm. Get away from the computer and think.
- Have a break. It’s important to step away sometimes and re-group. To keep traffic coming to your blog, consider re-hashing archived posts on your social media channels.
When you’re stuck: When I’m in a rut, I look back at the posts I enjoyed writing the most. This helps me refocus on what my objectives are. Another tip is just switch off for a while and invest in a good pen and paper brainstorming session.
Social Media: They are micro-blogs
I treat my social media channels as micro blogs. This means they all have their own identity and, although there is overlapping content, I also produce unique content depending on which channel I’m using and how I use it. For example, I use Twitter for networking and to interact with other bloggers; less of my readers are on Twitter. Facebook, on the other hand, is where more of my readers are, so I invest there differently. I treat each social media channel with their own identity but in the end, they all support my blog as per this diagram below.
Micro-Blog: An example on how I use content on my Facebook page.
I have grown my Be A Fun Mum Facebook Page to over 11,000 fans in two years. This is purely organic growth; that is: I haven’t paid for any advertising. Below are some of the ways I find content for Facebook.
1. Link to other websites
I share links to other websites that will interest my readers.
2. Pictures
Pictures stand out on Facebook and they have a high share rate which is a great way to grow your audience. I often use my own pictures and source a relevant quote to go with it. Another way to use pictures is to link to a relevant website. So, for example, for my readers, it may be an interesting playroom or outdoor area.
3. Personal content
I believe it’s important for there to be a relatable person behind the page or brand. In the example below, I posted a picture of my clean washing pile after a busy weekend. It’s relevant to my readers and is a situation many can identify with.
4. Re-use Archived Posts
I resurrect archived posts that were popular in the past for current content on my Facebook page. This is a great option if you have a slow week on the blog.
5. Click like
Asking readers to click like in response to a statement of picture can be a good way to encourage interaction. BUT don’t overuse it because it can become tiresome (very quickly).
6. Ask questions
I ask questions that are relevant to my readers but not necessarily my blog. In the example below, I did’t plan to write anything on my blog about manners but it’s still a relevant and interesting question to my readers.
Run your Facebook page like a micro blog and mix up the content to keep it interesting.
Pictures
Below are a few snaps from the day. First photo is me with my tartan pencil case I take with me to these sorts of things and then with Maddie from Lilmagoolie.
Other Links
My blog: Be A Fun Mum
{ 11 comments }
