Where to get content for your blog

How to, Online marketing1 comment

Because one of the services that I provide as a virtual assistant is to design and manage blogs, I do get asked by clients if I can write the content for them too.  Now I can totally understand this question because as someone who writes their own blogs, I know how difficult it is to think of new ideas to write about.  But in my opinion, a blog is a great way to promote yourself to your contacts, and for them to get to know the person behind the business.  If someone else writes your blog, how are they going to do this?

So if you’ve been thinking about setting up a blog but have been put off by the thought of having to struggle to find new things to write about, then here are some tips to help you get content for your blog.

First of all you need to think about what would interest your target market.  Remember, a blog is like any form of marketing, you’re using it to attract people to find out more about your business.  If you write about topics that interest them, then they will bookmark or subscribe to your blog, and take time to find out more about what you do.

Search the internet.  Once you’ve decided on the kind of topics that would interest your contacts, then you can carry out a search on the web and set up a Google Alert for each topic.  These Alerts can then be added to your Google Reader so you can keep track of them. This means that you will be seen as someone who is aware of the latest news in your industry and is keeping track of the hot topics being discussed.

Ideas from online discussions.  If you use online forums or social media, keep a look out for any topics that attract a lot of questions or comments.  If there’s a recurring question or theme and it falls within your area of expertise, then write a blog which answers the question and post a link to it on the forum or appropriate social media profile.

Questions from contacts.  When you’re talking to people either online or at networking events, it’s likely that people will ask you questions about your services or products.  Again, if there’s a recurring question or theme, you can write a blog which answers it and share it with your online and offline contacts.

Use guest bloggers.  And if you do run out of ideas or just don’t have the time to write anything, then you can get round this by inviting someone else to contribute a blog.  This is actually a good way of showing off your connections, especially if the guest blogger is someone who is highly regarded within your industry.

I hope this has given you some ideas and if you’ve got any suggestions, then let me know in the comments below.

If you don’t have a blog and want to get one up and running, then find out more about our blog design and management service.

How to get inspiration for your blog

How to, Marketing, Online marketing4 comments

We’ve all heard how blogging is a great way to raise your profile.  As I already mentioned in my previous blog “To blog or not to blog”, you can use it to show off your expertise and knowledge to a wide audience.  What I would call a “soft” way of marketing to them so that they can see that you can walk the talk without any hard sell.

But what about the challenge of knowing what to write about?  Well this is something that a lot of people struggle with and it’s what puts people off starting in the first place.  In fact I had this problem the other day when I realised that I was due to write another article but had a complete mental blank on what to say.  So what can you do when the muse doesn’t strike and you’re sitting there scratching your head trying to think of something to write?

Well, here are some tips that I use to get the creative juices flowing!

• Take a break.  If you’re sitting in front of the computer, staring at a blank document and there’s nothing happening, then get up and walk away.  Make a cup of coffee, have a chat with a work colleague, or just do something else.  I bet that when you come back later, you’ll find that inspiration will strike and you’ll be able to write what you want easily without any effort at all.
• Get some exercise.  Physical exercise doesn’t just motivate us physically, but also mentally.  Whether it’s going for a walk in the park, a run round the block or a session at the gym, taking exercise can help relieve stress and clear the mind.
• Be prepared.  Inspiration can hit us at any time so always have a pen and paper handy to write down any ideas as they come to you.  If you’re researching an answer to a question or found out some useful information that could be helpful to others, then share it in your blog.
• Ask for help.  Get ideas from other people.  Ask your contacts and clients for any subjects that they would like to know more about.  It’s great having your own ideas but if you are writing blogs to attract clients then wouldn’t it be better to write on subjects that they are interested in?
• Don’t do anything! If for some reason you can’t think of anything to write about then leave it.  Better not to write anything at all than to just put something on your blog for the sake of it.  Remember that your blog will only attract readers if you have something interesting to say.

These are just a few tips that I use to help me get some inspiration – I’d be interested to hear yours!