How to Write a Blog Post that Gets Noticed

Blog writing questions

It’s no longer a choice to have a blog as a small business – it’s a necessity.

The majority of shoppers seek advice from the Internet before making purchases these days. According to WordPress, over 409 million people view blogs every single month.

At first glance, this seems like a huge potential audience base for your small business to reach.

However, this outlook changes upon realizing how competitive the world of blogging really is. With an estimated 505 million blogs on the Internet, how do you make your blog stand out?

Wondering how to write blog posts that will get noticed by the right audience?  Looking to grow traffic on your already established blog? Follow these five tips to start getting more views and traffic to your blog – starting today!

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 1: Write the Right Stuff

Blog content that an audience will want to read in full and share with others is the best way to build and cultivate an audience.

In order to do that, you need to create content that will be useful and appealing to your audience.

Let’s say, for example, that you’re the owner of a plumbing company. Instead of only writing blog posts about your products and services, craft topics from the viewpoint of your customer base. What type of questions does your company frequently get asked? What is your most requested service?

Sharing tips about how to unclog a sink on your own may be more likely to be shared to others than a blog devoted solely to self-promotion.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 2: Pay Attention to SEO

When you need an answer to a product question or advice about a service, who do you turn to?

More than likely, it’s Google.

Google is still one of the key ways of generating traffic to your blog. But in order for Google to rank your site in search engine results, you need to be crafting content with SEO in mind.

Keyword research, optimized meta descriptions, engaging headlines and more all contribute to an effective SEO strategy.

Have no idea what we’re talking about? We can help.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 3: Get Your Blog Out There

So you’ve spent the time crafting engaging, informative, error-free blog copy. Now you need to get it in front of the right audience!

Social Triggers’ Derek Halpern insists that you should be following the 80/20 rule. Blog writing should only take 20% of the time; the remaining 80% should be devoted to promoting the blog.

Besides ensuring your blog’s SEO friendly, you should be promoting it on social media in every way possible. Include social media sharing buttons on the bottom of each blog post so that readers can easily share your content with their networks. Start a Facebook page for your business and tweet your new blog posts.

Engaging and interacting in online discussions with other bloggers is another great way to promote your blog. Oftentimes, the author of the blog you comment on will check out your own work – and may even become a subscribed reader.

Every once in a while, send a link to your email list that includes a link to your blog. Include it in your email signature as well!

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 4: Continue to Put in the Effort

When comments are generated on your blog, be sure to respond to them. Whether they’re positive or negative comments, they can help improve your site and provide content that your audience wants to read.

Be sure to blog regularly, too. You have a better chance of developing an audience quicker if you blog frequently using a regular posting schedule.

Building a successful blog that has a lot of followers takes time. But if you put in the work to develop great content and promote it effectively, your hard work should soon pay off.

For more marketing tips for small business owners, be sure to subscribe to our blog by using the link in the sidebar.

5 Questions to Ask a Potential Copywriter

hire sign

So you’ve finally made the leap and have decided to outsource your company’s copywriting needs? Good for you! Not only will this move free up time in your busy schedule, but hiring an expert should bring you more web traffic – and a higher customer conversion rate, too.

However, getting results from your copywriting is only possible if you hire a copywriter who knows what they’re doing. Here are five important questions that will help you hire the best copywriter for your needs.

#1) How Long Have You Been a Copywriter?

Experience matters when it comes to writing copy that will be engaging, informative and accurate. Only experienced copywriters know how to make that happen.

Choose a copywriter who has been in business for at least five years. Doing so means he/she has been around long enough to establish a reputation, plus there should be plenty of work samples.

The world of copywriting – especially SEO copywriting – is constantly evolving. Someone who has been copywriting for a while will know this and should be well versed on current best practices.

#2) What Type of Industry Are You Comfortable Writing About?

As much as we hate to admit it, we’re not good at everything.

And that’s not a bad thing! At Sarah McKenzie Copywriting Services, we are firm believers that we should “do what we do best and outsource the rest” ourselves. (That’s why we don’t do our own accounting!)

The same logic applies to copywriters. Not all writers are familiar – or even interested – in writing about certain industries, so asking this question can quickly screen out unsuitable candidates.

#3) What is Your Schedule Like?

Working with a freelancer can be a challenging relationship if both parties aren’t honest with each other from the beginning.

Since most freelancers are remotely based, there isn’t a chance for many face-to-face meetings. Instead, emails and phone calls are the main communication methods used.

Freelancers likely have multiple clients and competing deadlines. If it sounds like your client already has a lot on their plate, ask how they will be able to accommodate you as a client. For example, we request that our blog clients submit their topic requests to us a minimum of two weeks in advance. Otherwise, they risk not getting their copywriting completed on schedule.

If you’re more of a last-minute person, be upfront to potential copywriters and see if this would work for him/her.

#4) Can I See Samples of Your Work?

More than likely you’ve already checked out a potential copywriter’s website by the time you reach out to them for a consult. But if you haven’t, now’s the time! Seeing for yourself what type of copy they have created in the past can give you an idea if their writing style is suitable for your company.

Asking for testimonials or references from past clients can also provide huge insight into a particular copywriter’s strengths. Getting him/her to complete a test project first (before signing a contract) can provide you with an even deeper understanding of their writing style.

#5) What Can You Tell Me About My Company?

A great copywriter takes the time to research each piece of copy they produce. To find out if your potential copywriter has this skill set, ask them to tell you what they already know about your company. Find out what he/she thinks your target market is and what style of writing should be used throughout your copy.

A copywriter who is able to answer these questions accurately means that he/she has done research prior to your interview and is genuinely interested in getting your business.

Hiring the Best Toronto SEO Copywriter For Your Needs

You’ve decided to outsource copywriting to make your life easier and get more results for your company. That’s why hiring “just any copywriter” won’t do!

If you’re going to outsource your company’s copywriting, make sure you do it right. After you’ve found some potential copywriters using these tips, be sure to ask them the five questions above. And if you’re considering hiring us as your Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington SEO copywriter, then know you’re choosing a company who is highly experienced, professional and affordable.

See for yourself! Contact us today for a free consultation about your blog, web, press release, or other copywriting needs!