Did you miss this week’s #ContentWritingChat? If so, you missed an amazing discussion! There’s no need to worry though. We have a full recap so you can catch up and learn all about how to write for difficult industries.
Do you need proof that Tuesday’s chat was amazing? Take a look at this! We trended at #11!
This week, our guest host was Kathleen Garvin. This was Kathleen’s second time guest hosting our chat and we always love having her share her expertise. As an editor for The Penny Hoarder, she has loads of great advice to share on writing.
Q1: What are some of the craziest/most difficult industries you’ve written for?
To start off the chat, we wanted to see what kind of writing experience our chat participants have had. While some of them haven’t written for any crazy industries, quite a few had. Let’s just say their answers didn’t disappoint!
Kathleen has had to write for an extremely niche healthcare product before, which she found to be pretty crazy. She also said that personal finance was the most difficult for her because she found it boring.
A1: The hardest web copy I ever wrote was for a rock hauling company. (Was writing small biz websites for @hibuUS). #ContentWritingChat
No matter what, you always need to keep the basics in mind. Kathleen said to ensure you have good grammar, correct spelling, and the right information.
A2: Write how people talk (no robot speak?), use images to break up text + interview interesting industry peeps. #ContentWritingChat
Kathleen and Alberto were on the same page with their responses. Remember that you’re writing for people. Write how people talk, not like a robot.
Kathleen also suggests using images to break up the text in your article and interviewing people in the industry you’re writing for.
A2: May be boring to you but useful and informative to the reader. Address their interests and questions. #contentwritingchat
Kathleen said to ask a lot of questions. Figure out what other people within the industry are asking and talking about. She also said to see what industry leaders are covering. Check out reputable publications to gather information.
#ContentWritingChat A3: Ask the client if they have memberships to any industry-specific publications. It can you find important docs.
— New Jupiter Media (@NewJupiterMedia) June 14, 2016
If you need to have a membership to access industry-specific publications, ask your client. They may have a membership already.
A3: Search industry-wide hashtags and influencers to view the type of content your industry is writing about. #ContentWritingChat
Take your research to social media! You can search hashtags that are widely used by the industry you’re writing for in order to see what others are talking about.
A3) Google Alerts gets me started, then I try to include at least two other sources to cite in the work. #ContentWritingChat#SEO
Jenn said Google Alerts help her with her research. Consider setting up Google Alerts for the industries you write for so you’ll be notified of the latest news.
A3: Identify an industry expert (with @BuzzSumo) and do research. Build this into your pricing structure. #ContentWritingChat
Amanda said to gather as much information as you can. Read news articles, case studies, and anything else you can find. Don’t forget to get information from your clients, too.
A3: Get client’s quotes/input – guide you in the right direction & keep them involved. #contentwritingchat
Kathleen knows Google Analytics is a must. She said to get to know your stats, data, and demographics. She also recommends Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush.
Kathleen said to get higher-ups to contribute content. It’s a good idea to get others involved and sharing their expertise. We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing. Follow @ExpWriters to stay updated on our new topics and guests!
Did you miss #ContentWritingChat this week? There’s no need to worry! We have you covered with a recap of Tuesday’s chat, which was filled with great tips to help you come up with your next blog topic.
Let’s dive into the tweets!
#ContentWritingChat June 7 2016 Recap: How to Consistently Find Fresh Blog Topics
This week, Monika Jansen joined us as our guest host. Monika is the founder of Jansen Communications, as well as an experienced online copywriter. She shared key tips on creating “fresh” content for your blog.
Q1: What are ways to come up with new topics for your blog?
The truth is, sometimes it’s hard to come up with interesting topics to write about on your blog. Instead of stressing as you try to come up with ideas, check out these tips:
A1: I always start with FAQs. What are your clients asking you about? #contentwritingchat
Monika suggested starting with your FAQ. Odds are, you’re getting a lot of questions from clients or readers of your blog. Address those questions in a blog post. It’s so simple, but it’s effective because you’re giving your audience exactly what they want.
If you’re still stuck, just ask your audience what they’d like to see from you. They’re the best people to tell you what they’d like to read.
A1) I like to cover topics relevant to a service/product that haven’t been covered yet or not in depth. #contentwritingchat
Kyle knows it’s important to keep your content relevant to your product or service. His tip is to choose topics that haven’t been covered yet or haven’t yet been covered in depth. Ask yourself what could use more coverage in your field and start writing.
Jenn likes to use Google Alerts and also tracks hashtags to see what other people are talking about. This is a great way to alert you to trending topics or questions people in your field may have. Asking your colleagues for ideas is another great tip!
A1 I always start w/ brainstorming sessions the @Affinio content team! Then look at what is resonating w/ our audience #ContentWritingChat
For Hannah, coming up with blog topics starts with a brainstorming session with the team at her job. If you have multiple people on your team, get everyone together to talk about ideas. They just might have some amazing tips you can use.
A1 Brainstorm internally- teamwork can garner best ideas! Tools ie @Buzzsumo to research competitors & get inspiration #ContentWritingChat
Don’t forget to read! You want to stay updated with everything that’s going on in your industry. Reading will help you come up with ideas, plus give you amazing content to share with your audience.
Erika said social listening is a great way to come up with content ideas. If you join a few Twitter chats, you’re sure to find people asking questions. Use those ideas to spark new content for your blog.
Monika’s advice is pretty clear: read more often! Find books, articles, etc. in your industry and start diving in.
A2 Google Keyword Planner, checking trends & hashtags, or old-fashioned brainstorming w/ a pen & a notebook #contentwritingchat
— Brittany-dot-Social (@BrittanySocial) June 7, 2016
Brittany likes to use Google Keyword Planner and she also likes to check trends and hashtags. While they’re all helpful, she also knows sometimes you just need to brainstorm with a pen and notebook.
We’re also fans of BuzzSumo here at Express Writers, so we highly recommend it. Check out Feedly to see what other websites are posting about and it might spark some ideas of your own.
Sarah from ThinkSEM knows Twitter is a great place to find ideas. She also turns to articles from industry experts and uses Google Analytics. Don’t forget to check out your analytics to see what people are searching to get to your site and what they’re searing while on your site. It’s the perfect way to discover new ideas!
A2: Brainstorm w/ Google Docs. See what other bloggers in your field are writing & add your creative twist #ContentWritingChat@writingchat
Google Docs is a great place to brainstorm your ideas. TimeTap suggested taking a look at what other bloggers in your field are doing. You don’t want to copy them, but you can still draw inspiration from their content and put your own spin on things.
Q3: How can you ensure you consistently provide great content for your audience?
You want to make sure all of your content is amazing, right? These tips will ensure you’re always publishing your best content:
A3: My number one rule is to write like you talk it’ll keep people engaged and help create a connection. #contentwritingchat
Monika’s advice is to write like you talk. Conversational writing will keep your audience engaged and help them to develop a connection with you. It’s much more personable.
Debi knows it’s important to address the pain points of your customers. What problems are they struggling with and how can you help? Address their biggest issues and answer their questions. It’s the best way to provide value to them.
Make sure you’re paying attention to your analytics. As Erika and Maggie said, you need to know what your audience is actually reading and engaging with. Provide them with the content that resonates with them to keep them coming back for more.
Varun suggested looking at your content through the eyes of your audience. Ask yourself if what you’ve written adds value. You can also ask for feedback, but make sure you actually implement what you’ve learned.
A3: Ask yourself, “Would you find this interesting?” Sometimes that helps. You need content that engages and entertains. #ContentWritingChat
Great advice from Hannah: test, learn, optimize. You need to make sure your audience is actually responding to your content, which means testing is very important.
Just give them what they love! It really is as simple as that. Get to know your audience and figure out what kind of content they enjoy so you can create more of that.
Q4: What makes a blog topic “fresh”?
So, what exactly is a “fresh” blog topic? Here’s what our #ContentWritingChat friends had to say:
A4: Your perspective, your experience, your approach, your tips – YOU keep topics fresh. #contentwritingchat
Monika said it’s all about providing your perspective, your experience, your approach, and your tips. It’s your knowledge and personality that keep content fresh.
A4) It could be covering a current event, a new piece of technology, or have a new POV on an already covered topic. #contentwritingchat
Kyle said a fresh blog topic could cover a current event or a new piece of technology. It could even mean providing a new point of view on a topic that’s already been covered.
As Monika said, you can write about trending topics, but only if it’s relevant to your audience and your brand. Keep that in mind when choosing which ones you write about on your website.
A5: Trending topics are good for your blog content if appropriate to your industry, company, products or services. #contentwritingchat
It seems Ray agrees. If there’s a trending topic you want to write about, ask yourself if it’s the right fit for you. Is it appropriate for your industry or your company? Does it fit with your products or services?
A5) If it’s relevant to your niche, go for it. But don’t jump on the bandwagon w/out considering the impression it gives #ContentWritingChat
When it comes to writing about trending topics, Kyle said to make sure you contribute to it in a meaningful way. You should be able to add value to your audience.
Michael suggested seeing if you can spin trending topics into evergreen content ideas. Evergreen content is always great for your blog and can help bring regular traffic to your site.
Q6: What are some tips for being consistent when it comes to blogging?
How important is consistency as a blogger? It’s pretty important! Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your game:
A6: Use an editorial calendar and focus on a handful of topics – the ones your audience cares about. #contentwritingchat
Fantastic advice from Christoph: never stop blogging. You need to make the time to commit to blogging on a regular basis. Scheduling your posts in advance is definitely helpful for this.
Sarah recommended having an editorial calendar. It’s a great way to keep you organized and you’ll never have to wonder what you should post. She also said to have a few posts ready to go for those slow weeks and months.
A6 Prepare as much evergreen content as possible for slow news days & when writers block strikes #contentwritingchat
— Brittany-dot-Social (@BrittanySocial) June 7, 2016
Like Sarah, Brittany also recommended having evergreen content ready to go for those times when writer’s block strikes.
A6: A schedule! Hold all of your content writers to the schedule. #contentwritingchat
Jenn suggested checking your analytics to see if there are better days to post. If you notice one day is more popular than another, take advantage of it.
Here are some ideas from Julia: create quote visuals for posting on social media, make a SlideShare with great tidbits, or turn your written content into video content.
A7: Turn your blog posts into podcast topics/interviews. Do a blog carnival once a quarter. Do roundups in email news. #contentwritingchat
Kelli knows link building within your site is important. Make sure you’re adding links to your newer posts in those old posts to keep people on your site.
If anyone is still left at #ContentWritingChat, an idea for Q7 is pick a favorite blog post of yours and link to it in your pinned tweet.
Zachary was still sharing ideas even after the chat! He recommended choosing a favorite blog post and saving it as your pinned tweet on Twitter to drive more traffic to it.
Q8: What metrics can you measure to see how effective your blogging is?
How can you determine if your blogging efforts have been successful? Keep an eye on these metrics:
A8: The only metrics that matter are the ones connected to your goals. #contentwritingchat
Are people reading your post, sharing it, and talking about it? What does your bounce rate look like? You want to get people to stay on your site once they land there.
A8: Increasing traffic is important, but ultimately, time on page & bounce rate best show if your audience found value. #contentwritingchat
Molly also knows checking your bounce rate and the amount of time spend on the page are important to measure. This will give you an idea of whether or not your audience found value in your content.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A8. Social engagement, time spent on article, clicks on in-post CTA (if any) and comments on post.
— Pratik Mohapatra (@mohapatrapratik) June 7, 2016
Don’t forget to include a call to action (CTA) within your post. Then, track your results to see if people are responding.
— GhostBloggerForHire (@GhostBlogr4Hire) June 7, 2016
Are you getting return visits to your site? You want to make sure people keep coming back for more. You should also track that important length of time on page, social media shares, CTA results, and email newsletter sign-ups.
A8b) I also like to paste my URL into twitter search to see if it’s being shared. A fun tip that I think I learned at #ContentWritingChat.
Great tip, Jenn! Remember that not everyone will tag you when sharing your content on social media, which means you’ll miss some shares. Search your URL on Twitter to see all the shares from your site.
We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing. Follow @ExpWriters to stay updated on our new topics and guests!
Did you miss #ContentWritingChat this week? Before you hit “send” on your next email newsletter, get caught up with our recap and brush up on your email marketing skills.
#ContentWritingChat May 31 2016 Recap: A Crash Course on Email Marketing & Scheduling
This week, Olivia Dello Buono was our guest host. Olivia is the Social Media Specialist for AWeber. She shared her tips and tricks for writing amazing emails. You won’t want to miss them!
Q1: How important is it for a business to have an email list? What benefits does it provide?
Should every business have an email list? And how important is email marketing? To find out the benefits of having an email list for your business, check out these answers:
A1. It’s crucial. There’s so much noise on the web, and email provides that 1:1 connection with consumers. #ContentWritingChat
As Olivia pointed out, there’s a lot of noise happening online these days. It can be hard to break through all of that and stand out! Your email list provides a good way to push through the noise and connect with your subscribers. And who could argue with that ROI?
A1. Email marketing can get you crazy high ROI. But more importantly, it’s the best way to connect with people! #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 31, 2016
Kristen is a Content Marketing Specialist at AWeber, so it’s no surprise she knows the impact email marketing can have! Not only will your email list get you a high ROI, but it’s also a great way to connect with your audience.
As Sarah from ThinkSEM said, an email list is graet for keeping you in front of your clients. Your email list allows you to stay top of mind for them when they see you pop up in their inbox. What’s the key thing to remember? If you’re going to create an email list, you need to actually USE IT.
A1) #1 benefit is having a list reduces time and effort in communications #contentwritingchat
Scott knows an email list provides a simple, yet effective, way for you to keep in touch with people. You can easily send a mass email out to your list and reach thousands of inboxes.
Varun views an email list as your own personal social media network. That’s a great way to look at it right? It allows you to connect and engage with your audience, while giving you the chance to convert them into loyal customers. That’s a huge plus!
@writingchat A1: Lists are huge! Once you get them built you can start segmenting, targeting, and testing #ContentWritingChat
As Jacob said, once you get your list going, you can segment, target, and test to create the right emails for your audience. This is essential if you want to make sure you’re giving your audience the exact content they’re looking for.
A1 Vital. Otherwise you risk seeing your web traffic slip thru your hands. Huge for communication, building rapport etc #ContentWritingChat
Our CEO, Julia, knows email lists are crucial. Use your list to communicate with your audience and build rapport, which are essential if you want to succeed in business.
Q2: How do you get people to sign-up for your email list?
Once you’ve started your list, it’s time to get those subscribers! How do you do it? Start implementing these tips:
A2. I’m a firm believer in incentives. Offering valuable content in exchange for an email address always wins. #ContentWritingChat
The inbox has become a sacred place for many. Not everyone is quick to hand over their email address, so you better give them something good in return. Olivia recommends providing an incentive for signing up. If you can give your audience high-value content in exchange for their email, you’re golden.
A2: By providing valuable content, like webinars, guides, email courses, etc. #contentwritingchat
Focus on adding value if you want to snag those subscribers! Liz (also a Content Marketing Specialist at AWeber) suggests offering a webinar, a guide, or even an email course to increase sign-ups.
#ContentWritingChat A2: Give them something of value that solves their problems, but be original – no 1 needs 10 eBooks on basics of #SMM
— New Jupiter Media (@NewJupiterMedia) May 31, 2016
Get creative with your opt-in incentive! There are so many things you can offer to people who subscribe to your list. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and test a few things to see what converts the best.
Q3: What are some tips for writing great email subject lines?
When it comes to email subject lines, you want to make sure they’re great in order to encourage people to open. How do you do that? Check out these tips:
A3. Short, sweet and to the point. Your subject line should be relevant, while leaving a little to the imagination. #ContentWritingChat
Jane recommends keeping your subject titles consistent with the voice you typically write in. You might want to consider adding an emoji, too! It’s an easy way to help your email stand out in a crowded inbox.
Alberto said to play with your audience’s curiosity. Use your subject line to intrigue them and make them want to open your email. A question is always a nice way to do this.
A3) Keep it simple. Allude to something they want to know more about. #contentwritingchat
What’s Kyle’s advice? Keep it simple! Use your subject line to refer to something your audience wants to know more about. It helps if you have a good understanding of exactly who your audience is, which is why you really need to get to know them.
A3. Keep it precise. Data suggests that 40-50 characters works best for an ideal email subject line. #ContentWritingChat
Jacob knows testing is key. What works for your audience might not work for someone else’s audience. Don’t be afraid to change it up and test different subject lines to see which ones get the most opens. A/B split testing is extremely helpful for this.
A3) Don’t think you have to be perfect. Use variations so you can test several and use the best. #ContentWritingChat
Great answer, Scott! Before you hit that send button, ask yourself if you would open the email with your chosen subject line. If the answer is no, odds are your subscribers won’t open it either.
A3: NEVER mislead your subscribers with your subject lines. They don’t want to be tricked into opening the email. #ContentWritingChat
One final thing to keep in mind: never mislead your subscribers. Don’t title your email subject something that’s unrelated to the content of your email. It’s tricking your subscribers. They won’t stick around long if you keep that up.
Q4: What kind of content should you send to your email subscribers?
You’ve got the subscribers, but what should you send them? Here’s what some participants from Tuesday’s chat had to say:
A4. Depends on your goal. But always make sure the content you send is aligned with what you promised subscribers. #ContentWritingChat
Olivia said to keep in mind the goals you have for your email list. Make sure you’re delivering exactly what you promised your subscribers when they signed up.
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 31, 2016
Kristen recommends sending some of your best evergreen content from your blog. The great thing about evergreen content is that it never gets outdated. It’s always relevant to your audience. Repurpose your best blog posts by turning them into emails.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A4. Content that’s engaging, highly relevant, and rewarding. The reward could be a learning, or giveaway.
— Pratik Mohapatra (@mohapatrapratik) May 31, 2016
Pratik said to send content that’s engaging, highly relevant, and rewarding. Great answer!
To put it simply, you need to know your audience. Your emails should contain the type of content your audience is looking for. Give them what they want consistently and they’ll be happy to stick around. Spot on, Sarah!
If you’re struggling to figure out what your audience wants, all you have to do is ask. They’re the best ones to tell you what they’d like to see in your emails. Create a survey, send it to them, and watch the responses roll in. Just make sure you act on those responses when you receive them.
A4) What did you promise them when they signed up? That’s one box you may not want to think too far outside of. #ContentWritingChat
As Jenn said, make sure you deliver on whatever it was you promised to your audience when they subscribed. If you send unrelated content, you’ll be sure to see a lot of unsubscribes.
Another thing to consider is how far along a subscriber is on their customer journey. For example, if someone just joined your list, it’s not a good time to pitch your latest product. Keep that in mind when sending out your emails.
As Erika said, it’s a privilege to have access to someone’s inbox in this way. Make sure you’re giving your subscribers amazing content to give them a reason to stick around.
Q5: When are the best times to send an email? How often should you send them?
Before you send out your next email blast, you might want to consider the date and time on which you’re sending it and how often you’re emailing subscribers. Take a look at these tips from Tuesday’s chat:
A5. This is a FAQ. There is no best time to send – it goes back to what your subscribers respond to. Test, test, test. #ContentWritingChat
A5. Totally depends on your audience, so testing different days/times is key, #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 31, 2016
As our AWeber friends said, it really depends on your audience. Run some tests to see which dates/times perform best for your audience. What works for your subscribers might not work for someone else’s subscribers.
A5. Depends on the industry and ur audience. Test to see what time works for U. Data suggests Monday & Friday work best. #ContentWritingChat
Are you noticing a pattern yet? Test, test, test! Some data suggests Monday and Friday are great days for sending emails, yet some tests might say otherwise. Figure out what works for your unique audience.
A5 Depends on TA & industry, talking to your customers – engage, keep them in the loop. Let them enjoy emails received ? #ContentWritingChat
If you want to give your subscribers some more control, allow them to select how often they’d like to receive emails from you. You can also let them choose email topics they’re most interested in.
— Sir Leprechaunrabbit (@leprchaunrabbit) May 31, 2016
One or two emails per week is definitely a good goal to have. You want to stay relevant to your subscribers without overwhelming them. Consider their needs when creating email content.
Scott recommends having a sign-up box below each of your blog posts and a pop-up that shows when someone tries to leave your website. Don’t be afraid to try a few different locations, pop-ups, etc. to see what converts the best for you.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A6. Pop-ups (one on scrolling 50% and another on exit intent) and in-content subscribe field work best.
— Pratik Mohapatra (@mohapatrapratik) May 31, 2016
Pratik also recommends using a pop-up. Another great option is to have your pop-up show after someone has scrolled halfway down the page. It’s less intrusive than a pop-up that shows immediately upon arriving to your site.
Varun suggests using a lead generation tool on social media such as Twitter Cards. It’s a great way to promote your email list to get a boost in subscribers.
Q7: What are the best practices for maintaining a healthy email list?
If you want to keep your email list healthy and succeed at email marketing, here’s what you need to do:
A7. Always remove inactive subscribers, as they can skew your stats/hurt your deliverability. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 31, 2016
Olivia and Kristen know it’s important to keep your list tidy. When was the last time you cleaned up your email list? Delete the people who never open your emails. They’re just costing you money in the end.
Give your subscribers the content they’re looking for and email them regularly. Don’t create an email list, only to forget all about it. Build a “warm” list by staying in touch.
A7: Flush out any kick-backs and learn what days/times work best for open rates #ContentWritingChat
Have you found that a lot of people aren’t engaging with your emails? Jenn suggested running a re-engagement campaign. If they still don’t respond, it’s time to cut them from your list.
Having a double opt-in is a great way to ensure you have people on your list who are genuinely interested in your content. Requiring that extra step ensures they aren’t spammers.
A7 Reach out to subscribers personally. Ask them if they like what they’re reading/how you can change for them. #ContentWritingChat
Whatever you do, do not flood the inboxes of your subscribers. You don’t need to send a ton of emails within a short period of time, unless you’re launching a new product or service.
Q8: What do you see for the future of email marketing?
What’s ahead for email marketing? Check out what some chat participants had to say:
A8. Interactive email. The inbox used to be thought of as boring/static. We’re seeing brands step outside the inbox. #ContentWritingChat
Olivia said emails are going to become more interactive. There’s no reason for email marketing to be boring, right? Make it fun and exciting!
A8. Relevancy + context. One-size-fits-all email content won’t cut it in the future. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 31, 2016
Kristen said the one-size-fits-all email marketing strategy is not going to cut it anymore. Start thinking about how you can cater to the individuals in your audience.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A8. Future: Highly personalized, multi-device adaptive emails, which keep evolving from behavior learning.
— Pratik Mohapatra (@mohapatrapratik) May 31, 2016
Pratik also sees emails getting more personal. Due to the variety of mobile devices today, ensuring your emails look great across all of them will be even more important.
Erika knows email is going to continue to be effective into the future. Make sure you’re sending relevant and targeted content to your subscribers. Give them a reason to stay on your list.
A8) Marketing is about real-time personalisation. Tools need to be created for real-time connection with their clients #contentwritingchat
Emails are hyper-targeted, uber-relevant, amazing vehicles for delivering content. A definite yes to this! We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing.
Did you miss this week’s #ContentWritingChat? There’s no need to worry, friends! Dive into our recap of Tuesday’s chat and learn all about successful content marketing.
#ContentWritingChat May 24 2016 Recap: How to Adapt to & Succeed in Content Marketing
As Sujan said, content marketing is the most effective way to do SEO and to build your audience and brand. Content marketing can also help you generate leads. Just look at the results Sujan has had with his personal website!
A1: Content is king. If you don’t have the correct content, you’ll never produce the correct community for your brand. #ContentWritingChat
Sujan knows it all starts with getting to know your target audience. What do they need and want? What are their struggles? What makes them happy, sad, angry? Then, conduct some keyword research to find the top keywords for your content. And don’t forget guest posting! It’s a powerful way to get in front of a new audience.
A2: Knowing your audience is the first step. If you don’t, you won’t know what kind of content they want to read. #contentwritingchat
Netvantage Marketing and Elexicon agree: get to know your audience. When you understand the needs of your audience, you can create exactly the content they’re looking for.
Always set goals and keep them in mind as you work. When you have a clear idea of what your goals are, you can create a plan to help you achieve them. Nice answer, Sarah!
A2: Connect, connect, connect! If you want people to follow your Twitter, blog, FB page, whatever. Start participating. #contentwritingchat
— Chris Christensen (@christensen143) May 24, 2016
Chris knows the importance of engaging with your audience. If you want to see results, start connecting with people. Building relationships makes a huge difference.
A2. Research your platforms, target markets, and trending topics. #contentwritingchat
— Village Print&Media (@village_print) May 24, 2016
Research the platforms you’ll use, get to know your audience, and be aware of trending topics. These things are so important in a successful content marketing strategy.
A2 1) know your why 2) know ur TA 3) align their needs and your “offerings” 4) make a plan 5) baby steps = process #ContentWritingChat
Cheryl said to get to know your audience. Know what they’re looking for and where they spend their time online. You want to create the content they’re looking for and share it across the platforms they’re actively using.
A2 Research WHO you’re talking to and WHAT they want to hear. @Buzzsumo is a wonderful tool to help you discover #ContentWritingChat
Julia knows the importance of research. Get to know your audience and figure out what they want to hear. At Express Writers, we love to use BuzzSumo for this.
A2: Find target audience, set SMART goals, create valuable info on schedule, measure progress & do more of what works! #ContentWritingChat
We love this answer from FreshSparks! You want to make sure you set SMART goals, create valuable content, and measure your progress. Measuring your results is so important so you can see what’s working and what’s not.
Q3: How can you determine what will resonate with your audience?
To determine what kind of content will resonate with your audience, you’re going to have to do some research! Check out these tips:
A3) Ask them! If you want to know what someone is interested in, talk to them. Use social media, email & start a convo #ContentWritingChat
Don’t be afraid to just ask! Start conversations via social media, email, etc. It’s a simple, but effective, way to get to know your audience. After all, they’re the best ones to tell you what they want.
A3: Look at the bounce rate. Likes/Comments/Shares only tell you so much. Did your audience actually read the content? #contentwritingchat
Take a look at the bounce rate in your analytics. It’ll give you a good idea whether or not your content is actually being read and if people are staying on your website.
Varun knows that social listening can yield some great results. Tune into what your audience is saying via social media. What are they talking about? What do they need help with?
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your content. Alberto said to try different formats, media, publishing days and times, etc. See what works the best.
A3: Address your audience’s pain points/problems. Answer their questions. Teach, guide, consult through your content. #ContentWritingChat
Kavita knows research is key! You won’t learn anything about your audience if you don’t put in the time and effort for research.
Q4: How can you use your content to establish yourself as an authority figure in your niche?
If you want to establish yourself as an authority figure in your niche, make sure you’re consistently publishing great content. And implement these tips as well:
A4 If you teach people everything people will remember where they (or who) learned it from…that’s authority 🙂
Providing valuable, quality content is so important. When you offer quality content that solves a problem for your audience, they’ll want to keep coming back for more.
Great answer, Maureen! Create content that refers to external expertise. It can add credibility, which is essential.
A4: Sharing content is not enough. You have to participate in the conversation. Create conversations, answer questions. #contentwritingchat
— Chris Christensen (@christensen143) May 24, 2016
Don’t just share your content. Chris said you should be part of the conversation with your audience! Start talking to them on social media and get to know them better.
A4. Host discussions about controversial topics, build an engaging community, & keep up with trending topics. #contentwritingchat
— Village Print&Media (@village_print) May 24, 2016
Host discussions and talk about the hot topics. It’s a great way to engage your audience and build a community.
A4: Getting published weekly within your niche is a genius tactic to remain consistent and raise brand awareness #contentwritingchat
Strive to get published on other websites to get noticed by a whole new audience. Guest posting is a fantastic way to grow your audience, but it also helps build your credibility and can establish you as an authority figure.
Q5: What content formats should you incorporate into your content marketing strategy?
What content formats should you be using? Check out what our chat participants had to say:
A5: My favs are video, images & and obviously written content. Downloadable content always works well (content upgrades) #ContentWritingChat
Sujan’s favorites include video, images, and written content. Content upgrade downloads are great as well. Make the time to test and see what’s actually working for your audience. Don’t forget to repurpose your content in other formats.
A5: You should incorporate the types of content formats that you audience consumes. #ContentWritingChat
Maureen and Kavita agree on this one. Figure out what your audience enjoys and produce more of that! Do they like long blog posts? Are they into podcasts? Create the content they’re craving.
A5) I’ve got to say, short, snappy videos are definitely a good way to go! #ContentWritingChat
Tim suggested using short, snappy videos. Video content is always a great way to engage your audience. If you keep it short and sweet, they’re sure to tune in.
A5. Videos, infographics, good articles. Depends of your audience and the moment #ContentWritingChat
No matter which content formats you choose, Jim said to include visuals. A great visual will catch the eye of your audience and get them to pay attention. Visuals are also highly shareable.
Q6: How does storytelling play a role in content marketing?
Take a look at some of the storytelling tips we received during Tuesday’s chat:
A6: The short answer: STORYTELLING works!! it helps people resonate with you or your brand on a personal level #ContentWritingChat
To put it simply, storytelling works! Sujan said it helps people resonate with you/your brand on a personal level. It’s all about forming that connection.
As Kavita said, stories are memorable and can help get the point across to your audience. You should definitely make sure storytelling is part of your content marketing.
A6) People want to know HOW you got here – and WHY it wasn’t a straight line. Tell your story & be detail oriented. #ContentWritingChat
Great answer from Zala! Telling a story to your audience is like reading/writing a great book that draws you in. Grab their attention and keep it the entire time.
A6: Storytelling allows you to show your audience the personality and uniqueness of your brand. #ContentWritingChat
Sujan said to measure traffic, mentions/links, leads, email opt-ins, and search volume. You also want to measure the money and leads coming your way. As he said, it’ll take some time to see those results rolling in.
A7: Success is upward movement in website traffic, opt-ins, engagement, inquiries, sales. Set your goals first! #ContentWritingChat
FreshSparks suggested keeping an eye on website traffic, opt-ins, engagement, inquires, and sales. Make sure you set your goals first so you know what kind of results you want to see.
Measure the conversation your content has sparked, but don’t forget to measure conversions as well. Great answer, Varun! Keeping an eye on the conversations that come up as a result of your content is very important.
As Tim said, you should track how many people moved to the next stage of the buyer journey. Are they signing up to your email list, getting in touch, etc.?
A7. measure your engagements; likes, shares, conversation, emails, etc #contentwritingchat
— Village Print&Media (@village_print) May 24, 2016
Engagement is always important to measure. Is your content receiving likes and shares? Is it generating conversations?
Referring back to last week’s chat: measure conversions right down to leads, customers, and income.
A7. If you’ve inspired people to take action, think differently or solve a problem & they tell you so…that’s success. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 24, 2016
Kristen is thinking outside metrics. She said if you inspired someone to take action, think differently, or solved a problem, that’s a success. We agree!
Q8: Where do you think the future of content marketing is headed?
What’s in store for the future of content marketing? Here’s what some of our chat participants had to say:
Julia thinks we will see an increase in innovative content types. There will be more video and live interactions, which are great ways to connect with your audience.
A8. I think it’s going to be much more personal, nuanced, targeted & effective as audience insights and tech develop. #ContentWritingChat
— Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) May 24, 2016
Brittany said content marketing will become more personal, nuances, targeted, and effective. We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing.
If you missed #ContentWritingChat this week, grab a snack and catch up with the recap of our latest chat. We talked all about how to promote your content online for more exposure: there’s a lot to learn!
#ContentWritingChat May 17 2016 Recap: Key Ways to Promote Your Content After You Hit Publish
This week, our guest host was Sid Bharath. Sid is a writer, contributor to Content Marketing Institute, and the VP of Growth at Thinkific. To check out his insights on content promotion, keep reading for loads of great tips from the chat!
Q1: How can you encourage your audience to share your newly published posts?
So, you’ve written a brand new blog post and you’re pretty proud of it. Now the question remains: how do you get your audience to share it?
David is spot-on with his answer! If you want people to share your content, you need to write shareworthy content in the first place. Don’t forget to promote your own work through various channels including social media, emails, and forums.
A1 Start by sharing it yourself! On all platforms w/ a great visual. Email a list who signed up to get your blog updates #ContentWritingChat
Our CEO, Julia, was on the same page as David. She also mentioned sharing your content yourself. After all, how can you expect someone to find your work if you aren’t sharing it?
Tara knows the importance of engagement! It makes a huge difference when you take the time to just talk to your audience. Once you’ve developed a relationship with them, asking them to share becomes so much easier.
First and foremost, you need to focus on providing value to your audience through your content. As Sarah from Think SEM said, if you’re publishing great content, your audience will want to share it.
A1: It starts with learning about your audience. Find out what they want to read and then they will want to share it. #ContentWritingChat
To ensure you’re providing your audience with great content, you need to get the know them. Who are you writing for? What are they interested in? How can you help them and solve their problems with your content? When you give your audience the content they want, they’ll certainly want to spread the word.
A1. Producing great content in the first place. But a little “please share” doesn’t hurt. #ContentWritingChat
— Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) May 17, 2016
Brittany knows that asking your audience to share your content never hurts. Saying “please” helps too, right?
A1b) Make it easy to share! Share buttons and “Tweet this” functionality is a must! #ContentWritingChat
Don’t forget! If you want your audience to share your newest blog post, you need to make it easy for them to share. It should never be a hassle for someone to share your post to Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. Include social sharing buttons on your blog posts and even the Click to Tweet plugin. You’re sure to see an increase in shares!
Q2: What are key ways to engage with people who are sharing your posts on social media?
Do you take the time to respond to the people sharing your content on social media? You should! Here’s what you should do:
If someone shares your content, say thanks! Sid also recommends following-up to ask what that person thought of your content. It’s a great way to spark a conversation and get their thoughts.
A2. Say thanks! And return the favor by sharing their content too. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 17, 2016
A2) Gratitude goes a long way. Be sure to thank them for sharing & reciprocate by sharing their content. #contentwritingchat
A simple “thank you” goes a long way to show someone you appreciate the share. Even better? Share their content too if it’s great and fits with your audience’s interests.
Sarah and Erika agree in sending over a quick thanks to anyone who shares your content. To encourage a conversation, ask the person who shared your content what he/she liked the most about it. It’s a great way to get direct feedback from your audience.
A2. I’ve always like a simple “Thanks for sharing!” tweet or comment. It’s a good start to building the relationship. #ContentWritingChat
— Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) May 17, 2016
As Brittany said, that quick “thank you” is a good way to start building a relationship with your audience. Let them know you’re grateful for the share.
A2) Thanking people for sharing is a great ice-breaker. Use it as an opportunity to present a human face #ContentWritingChat
This is one process you don’t want to automate! Take the time to check in on social media to favorite any posts sharing your content and to say thanks.
Q3: Should you ask influencers to share your content? If so, how do you approach them?
Should you ever reach out to influencers to share your content? And how in the world do you ask them for a share? Here are some tips you need to know before you start contacting people:
A3b: Right way – Do something for the influencer, build a relationship, then ask for a share #ContentWritingChat@writingchat
As Sarah said, ditch the “cold call” style when it comes to reaching out to influencers. You need to work on building a relationship with them before you ask for a favor.
A3) I would work backwards on this, build relationship first, then ask for shares #ContentWritingChat
David agrees about the importance of building a relationship first. You can’t ask someone you don’t even know to share your work!
A3. Only when your content is relevant to their audience/fits in with what they usually share. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 17, 2016
Kristen recommends only reaching out if your content is relevant to their audience. If your content isn’t something their audience would be interested in, they might be less likely to share it.
A3: If they are quoted in your work, then yes ask them! Give credit where credit is due. #ContentWritingChat
Consider what resonates with your audience. Give them what they enjoy! If you don’t know what they prefer, test out a few options and see how they respond. Or you could always ask!
As Sarah and Varun said, make sure you’re keeping your old content updated. Check in on old posts that are getting a lot of traffic and update with recent material if needed. Interlink blog posts as well to send traffic to posts within your archives.
A5. Repurpose older content in an email series so your new subscribers can access your best work. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) May 17, 2016
Kristen recommends repurposing your older content into an email series for new subscribers. Great idea!
A5: Share it! Does it fit into a current trending topic, then share it! Content shouldn’t die after one share. #ContentWritingChat
Another great tip? Build your presence on Pinterest. Make sure you’re sharing your blog posts there because it’s an amazing way to send traffic back to your site.
Q6: Should you track shares after you’ve published a blog post? Why?
Just how important are social media shares? Should you be tracking them for each of your blog posts? Our chat participants weighed in…
Sid had a different answer from most of the people in Tuesday’s chat and it was great to hear his perspective. After all, what good are those social media shares if people aren’t actually clicking the links and visiting your website?
A6: Always track your content to see how well your audience is eng. with it to figure out what you’re doing right/wrong. #ContentWritingChat
On the other end of the spectrum, Fiona only tracks her social media shares once a month. She said it helps her to see what her audience enjoys. She also brings up a great point about not getting too fixated on numbers. They can drive you crazy if they’re not where you want them to be.
Blog comments are also great to track because you want to encourage your audience to share their thoughts. It’s the best way to start a conversation with your readers.
A7 I track time on site, user journey, exit pages, CTA’s, lead generated. Plus LOADS more in a monthly report 🙂 #contentwritingchat
It sounds like Gina keeps a pretty detailed (and helpful) monthly report for her website. She tracks time on site, user journey, exit pages, CTAs, leads generated, and more.
A7: You should track whatever information will bring you closer to achieving your goals. That info could vary. #ContentWritingChat
A great tip from Zachary: track the metrics that will bring you closer to achieving your goals. Are you trying to increase pageviews? Keep an eye on traffic. Are you trying to increase the amount of comments you receive? Find ways to encourage people to leave their thoughts. It all depends on your needs.
Q8: What are a few key features of worthwhile, shareworthy content?
To wrap up the chat, we asked what makes content worthwhile and shareworthy. Here’s what some of you said:
Always create content with your audience in mind. When you provide your audience with the content they want, they’ll enjoy it and will be happy to share.
A8 a) Audience-targeted usefulness. Will it resonate w/ & be of use to YOUR audience? b) great writing! c) solid visuals #ContentWritingChat
Erika said the best content teaches her something new or shares a new perspective. Keep that in mind when you’re creating content for your audience!
We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing.
