We’ve written hundreds of blog posts, iterating our approach over the years to maximize the effectiveness of each article we prepare. To help you get more out of your next session in front of a keyboard, here are what we consider the key ingredients for increasing your blog post’s reach.
The Top of Your Blog Post
- Optimize the URL for search (using the article’s main focus keyword!)
- Include a relevant image that calls attention to your post in any context
- Create a compelling title:
- Include the focus keyword to help pull in organic traffic
- Numbers encourage readers (e.g., 7 Ways)
- Use exciting adjectives like free, useful, powerful, etc.
- Employ words like tips, tricks and secrets
- If possible, try to include trigger words like why and how
- Make a promise (e.g., 10 guaranteed ways to improve…)
- Keep your headline short (to avoid Google truncating it in search results)
The Opening
The opening paragraph is likely the most important of your post. Briefly explain to readers the overall idea. Include your target keyword.
The Body
- Include subheadings to break up text and improve readability (use keywords)
- Tell stories from personal experience
- Bold key points for emphasis
- Lists are good
- Use images, charts and figures where possible
- Write at least 300 words
- Use short paragraphs, simple sentences and plain language
- Include relevant keywords
- Provide internal links (drive more traffic for yourself)
The Conclusion
- Summarize your main ideas to get your main point across the reader
- Call attention to the MAIN THING you want your readers to do
- Set up for engagement:
- Use good share buttons
- Ask a discussion question
- Invite and encourage comments
- Interact with your audience
Search Engine Optimization Tips
- Google likes text
- Google likes formatting
- Google likes freshness
- Google likes accessibility
- Google likes outbound hyperlinks
- Google isn’t psychic, so link your pages
- Google likes you to tell it where you are
- Google likes experts
- Google likes good mobile display
The Key Ingredients for Increasing Your Blog Post’s Reach
Blogging offers great potential to engage more website visitors. It works for organic search, email marketing, social media marketing and general traffic by showcasing your business’ expertise, talent and culture. But when you invest the time in a blog post, it should be with an eye toward getting as much return as possible. From our experience, an ongoing content marketing strategy pays off with continuous traffic building. So hopefully our list of key ingredients can help you too.