Did you miss our #ContentWritingChat this week? If you did, you missed a great chat! However, there’s no need to feel left out because we have a round-up of some of the tweets from Tuesday’s chat. Get caught up on our session and learn more about SEO and great content!
#ContentWritingChat May 10 2016 Recap: How to Kill it in SEO Rankings with Great Content
Q1: What are the basics of SEO every online writer should know?
Many people are intimidated by SEO, but it doesn’t have to be hard. You just need to start with the basics! Here are some things every online writer needs to know when it comes to optimizing content:
A1b) Where are your competitors beating you, and how can you make a play for their rank? Can you? Should you? #ContentWritingChat
Great answers from Jenn! She says you need to know how to research, but you should also keep an eye on your competitors. In what areas are they beating you? How can you improve? Use that to your advantage!
A1: They need to know how to research keywords and how to include them properly in a title and article. #contentwritingchat
A1. How to search for keywords. Long-tail keywords are your friend. #ContentWritingChat
— Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) May 10, 2016
One thing you absolutely need to know: How to research keywords. If you want to optimize your posts, you need to make sure you’re choosing the best keywords for your content. And yes, those long-tail keywords are your friend!
A1: The basics are keyword focus, heading tags, meta descriptions, and relevance. What’s trending? What value is added? #ContentWritingChat
Ryan said you need to know which keywords to focus on, how to use heading tags, and how to include meta descriptions. More importantly, you need to make sure your content and the chosen keywords are relevant. Are you adding value to your audience?
A1) Also – how to prioritise between topics/terms and determine potential value. Learn tools like @semrush & @moz#ContentWritingChat
Amel brings up a great point when it comes to placement of keywords. The days of keyword stuffing are long gone, my friends. (It was never cool anyway!) You should work your keywords into your content in a way that sounds natural, not spammy.
Q2: How can you gain better rankings in Google’s search results through good content?
Optimizing your posts for search engines is about more than just keywords, meta descriptions, etc. You always need to focus on providing good content first and foremost. Google loves good content and so do your readers!
— Eliza David, Author (@elizadwrites) May 10, 2016
Eliza knows how important it is to keep your audience in mind when creating. What do your readers want to see? How can you help them and add value? Your analytics are a great place to see which posts get the most traffic, which keywords your audience is searching, and more. Create more of what they want!
A2: Consistency in you messaging while strategically using words that target KW you want to increase rankings against. #ContentWritingChat
A friendly reminder from these three chatters: If you create good, valuable content, your audience will want to share it! Focus on providing quality content every single time.
Q3: What are some don’ts to avoid when it comes to SEO?
There are some things you should avoid when it comes to SEO, otherwise you risk being penalized by Google and turning off your readers.
Debi and Varun are spot-on with their answers! Write for humans, not search engines. Providing great content for your readers should always be your number one priority.
Sarah said to ditch the tactics that used to rank content 5+ years ago. Things change and you need to keep up with the latest SEO tips. She also said not to buy links or do any kind of keyword stuffing. These things are not okay!
Badal said to make sure it sounds natural. That’s key!
A3. Imagine reading “hiking gear essentials” 30 times in a post. No thanks. #ContentWritingChat
— Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) May 10, 2016
We agree that would be pretty annoying, Brittany!
Q4: How do you choose the right keywords to use in your content?
Choosing the right keywords is essential if you want your content to rank higher in search results. Here are some tips to help you select the right ones:
Odds are, your audience is already using the exact keywords you should incorporate into your content. One great way to find out is by checking your analytics. Which keywords are people searching to find your website? Which keywords are they using when searching keywords while on your site?
A4) Use analytics to know where PPC traffic is coming from. Increase SEO there to shift dollars to other PPC needs. #ContentWritingChat
Sarah suggested figuring out what has already resonated with your audience. Which posts of yours are they sharing and linking to? Which posts are getting them to convert?
A5) Don’t reinvent the wheel. What types of content have you seen success with? Can you direct it toward your SEO goals? #ContentWritingChat
Jenn had the same idea as Sarah. Take a look at your previous content and see what you’ve had success with. A quick look into your analytics will reveal what your most popular posts are in terms of traffic.
A great tip from David: engage with your audience! When you take the time to talk to your audience and get to know them, you can better understand their needs. What are their problems and how can you help through your content?
Another great tip is to answer your audience’s questions with your content. Are you often getting asked the same questions? Address them in a blog post. Keep an eye on the questions they ask through your comments section, emails, and social media.
Amalia suggested using social media as a way to build natural connections with your audience. Make sure you’re taking the time to engage with others and have conversations with them.
A7: Social media plays a huge part. The more shares, eyes, traffic & backlinks, the better SEO results. #ContentWritingChat
And don’t forget those Twitter chats! They’re a great place to learn, right? 😉
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 this week’s #ContentWritingChat, no need to worry! We’ve rounded up some of the tweets from this week’s chat so you can get caught up. Check it out and learn all about creating and promoting shareworthy content!
There were so many great tips shared: you’ll want to start implementing them today to grow your online presence.
ContentWritingChat May 3 2016 Recap: How to Create & Promote Shareworthy Content
For this week’s chat, Grant Simmons joined as our guest host. Grant is the VP of Search Marketing at Homes.com, a speaker, author, and a frequent Twitter chatter and social media expert. He shared his insights with us on creating and promoting content that will get shared across the web.
Q1: What are the key features of a shareworthy piece of content?
What makes content shareworthy? How do you create something that you know your audience will love and share online? Check out these tips from the chat:
Grant kicked things off by sharing what “worthy” means. It’s important to ask yourself if your content entertains, educates, informs, enlightens, or inspires. These are great characteristics of a shareworthy piece of content!
Sarah from ThinkSEM knows the importance of considering your audience. Before you start creating content, always ask yourself if what you’re writing will resonate with them.
A1: Shareworthy content is: scannable, inclusive of visuals, and gets to the point quickly! #ContentWritingChat
Don’t ramble on in your blog posts! Tara says your content should get to the point quickly. Remember to make sure it’s scannable, which ensures it’s easy for your readers to digest. Visuals are a must, too!
A1: I think a key feature of shareworthy content is that it stirs some emotion (joy, fear, sympathy, etc.) w/ audience #contentwritingchat
To put it simply, shareworthy content is relevant, informative, and helpful for your audience. A little humor can be great too if it suits your brand and readers! Spot on, Varun!
As Grant said, we all have different ideas of what constitutes shareworthy content. One thing that always remains the same is value. You should always add value for your audience. Aim to solve their problems and provide them with the information they want and need.
Q2: Discuss strategies to discover and tune into your matching audience.
How can you figure out who your audience is and how do you reach them with your content? Here are some great answers:
Grant’s answers were spot on for Q2. His first piece of advice: LISTEN! If you want to get to know your audience, you need to listen to them. Find them on social media and see what they’re talking about.
Also, you want to be tuned in to what’s resonating with your audience. Which pieces of content are they clicking on? What are they sharing and engaging with? When you understand what your audience enjoys, you can provide more of the same.
A2: You really need to be part of your audience’s community. If your passion for the topic is genuine, it helps! #ContentWritingChat
Varun knows the importance of social listening! Tune into your audience via social media to see what they’re talking about and what they’re sharing. You can perform A/B testing to see what they respond to. If you’re still struggling, just ask them!
A2: Nothing beats personal interaction w/ your audience. Be involved in relevant convos & know your topic. #contentwritingchat
Sarah said to figure out where your audience spends their time online. You want to invest your time in those platforms! Read articles, check hashtags, etc. to find your people.
A2: Any question your company receives is an opportunity to discover your audience since others probably have the same q #contentwritingchat
Brittany likes to use Twitter Analytics and Google Analytics to get to know her audience. Both tools will help you see which pieces of content they’re reading.
A2) Use analytics to identify, then talk to them and let them tell you what they want. It’s an #H2H World after all. #ContentWritingChat
Jeff also suggested digging around in your analytics. Your analytics can show you which posts are the most popular, which is very beneficial. Colleen knows it might not be the most fun task, but it’s a must!
A2: Competitor research is an obvious (but underutilized) strategy. Track competitor tactics to uncover new audiences #contentwritingchat
Andrew and Amel recommend doing a little competitor research to discover new audiences. Figure out what your competitors are doing and how their audience is responding. Use this as an opportunity to do better!
Before you create any kind of content, ask yourself if it’s bringing value to your audience. Grant says you also need to know the who, what, where, and why of your content.
A3: First, you must know who your audience is. What does your audience want to see/read? #contentwritingchat
Great advice from Kevin: figure out what their problems and questions are. Use your content to provide your audience with exactly what they’re looking for.
Both Kristen and Dagmar agree: have a goal for your content. What action do you want people to take after? What do you want them to feel? Having a goal allows you to create content that gets a specific result.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A3. The platform. User intent. And goal of the content. What you expect to get out of it.
Content is consumed differently on each platform, so consider where you will be posting something. You need to adapt your content to the platform and your audience there.
A3. May I state the obvious? Grammar rules. Know them. Love them. Good content gets lost in bad grammar. #contentwritingchat
Tara said to make sure you’re considering the guidelines if you’re creating content for another publication. You want to make sure you have tailored your content to their website.
A3 Don’ create for the creation’s sake. Create with a purpose. Don’t add tot he noise, strive to add value 2 ppl’s lives #ContentWritingChat
Great tips from Grant! First, make sure your content is easy to share. If it’s a hassle to share your content to social media, your audience won’t be bothered. But most importantly, make it worthy of being shared.
A4: Start w/something worth sharing. “Would I share this?” Don’t expect others to share something you don’t/wouldn’t do. #contentwritingchat
Kevin agrees! It all starts with content that is worth sharing. After you’ve created that blog post, ask yourself if it’s something YOU would share. If the answer is yes, you’re good to go!
Kyle and Andrew agree it helps to get your audience involved in your content. Kyle suggested asking your audience for the opinion and allowing them the opportunity to share their voice. Andrew said quoting your audience members within your content is a good way to increase shares.
A4: Make your content interesting and easy to share. Utilize CTAs, social sharing, and always remember to engage! #contentwritingchat
Dagmar is spot on with her answer! Make sure you’re connecting with your audience on a regular basis. When you form a relationship with them, they’ll want to support you and they’ll be happy to share your work.
A4: Give your audience what they want and you won’t have to encourage them to share it. They will WANT to share it. #contentwritingchat
As Kevin said, make sure you’re sharing the work of others in your field. If you’re sharing their work, they’ll be more likely to share yours! Do YOU retweet?
Q5: What are some creative ways to promote your content on social media?
If you want your content to stand out on social media, you need to get creative! Here are some awesome tips for promoting your work:
Julia said to make sure you’re matching your content to the platform. Each social media platform is different and you want to make sure you’re sharing the right type of content for each one.
A5: Twitter’s 30-second videos are great for recording a short “promo” for your content. Pitch the value #ContentWritingChat
A5. Make a quick, funny, and engaging video to promote your content. Video content is trending now. #contentwritingchat
— Village Print&Media (@village_print) May 3, 2016
It seems video is a popular answer to this question! Not everyone is utilizing video to its fullest potential. Create an awesome video to promote your content and it’s sure to help you get noticed.
A5. Instagram contests let your users promote your content/product/services for you. #ContentWritingChat
Brittany said storytelling shares your journey and invites your audience along with you. Get them involved with your story and build that connection with them.
A6. Storytelling build anticipation and keeps the reader’s attention. #contentwritingchat
— Village Print&Media (@village_print) May 3, 2016
Storytelling can help build anticipation and keep the attention of your audience.
A6: Feel all the feels. Storytelling grabs peoples attention and conveys feelings. #contentwritingchat
Sarah said you should tell the story of how your customers are better with your product. How can you incorporate your customer and the benefits of your product/service into your story?
@writingchat A6: A story has to ~be engaging, be told through human so others can relate, motivate others to share… #ContentWritingChat
Q7: How can we create great visuals that are truly shareworthy?
When it comes to creating content, you can’t forget about the visuals that go along with your written posts. They’re just as important. Here are some tips for designing shareworthy visuals:
A7. Relevant. Relatable. Remarkable.
Images that are none of the above don’t deserve to be shared.#ContentWritingChat
Even more amazing brands from Jim and Julia. If you haven’t check them out, you definitely should! 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 #ContentWritingChat this week? There’s no need to worry, my friend! I’ve rounded-up some of the tweets from Tuesday’s chat so you can get caught up. Dive into our recap and learn more about the wonderful world of copywriting!
#ContentWritingChat April 26 2016 Recap: Creative Copywriting Tactics 101
This week, we were joined by Nicole Story, the Vice President of Creative at Poo~Pourri. We are huge fans of Poo~Pourri here at Express Writers because they are consistently creative and amazing with their brand’s copywriting. If you want to learn how they do it all, you’re in luck because Nicole shared some of her top tips with us!
Q1: How important is online storytelling and creative writing to brands today?
In case you weren’t convinced that both online storytelling and creative writing are important to brands, just check out these tweets from Tuesday’s chat:
As Nicole from Poo~Pourri said, storytelling is the human factor in online engagement. A relatable story will truly resonate with your audience and attract them to your brand.
A1: Online storytelling is basically marketing in 2016 so it’s extremely important. It can make or break a brand #ContentWritingChat
Searcy knows the importance of storytelling. She says it can make or break a brand these days! It’s a good reminder to think about your brand’s story. What story are you telling with your brand? Is it resonating with your audience?
A1. Not a matter of importance, but one of relevance. Storytelling is the new marketing. Content > CTAs #ContentWritingChat@ExpWriters
When telling your brand’s story it helps to share the benefits you can provide in relation to your audience’s pain points. It’s one of the best ways to reach them and really pull them in.
Q2: What do you need to know before you create online copy?
Before you start writing copy for your brand, there are a few things you should know! Keep these tips in mind:
@ExpWriters A2: WHO are we talking to. WHAT are we talking to them about. And WHY the crap should they care? #ContentWritingChat
Questions you need to have the answers to: Who are you talking to? What are you talking to them about? Why should they care? Knowing why is so crucial!
Also, know what action you want someone to take next. Include a call to action so you can tell your audience what the next step is.
A2 Why you’re writing? Who you’re writing for? What do you want readers to do once they’ve read content? #ContentWritingChat
It may be obvious, but it’s important! As Brittany said, you need to know who your audience is. What do they care about? Where are they engaging with you? When you take the time to truly get to know your audience, you can create tailor-made content just for them.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A2. Every copywriter first needs to know the details – Who, What, Why, When, Where and How.
What are your goals with the content you’re creating? You should have your end goal in mind so you can create the exact content that will help you achieve the results you want.
A2) Your first move should be to look from the customer’s perspective and ask the question, “Would I care about this?” #contentwritingchat
A great tip from Brittany: don’t forget to proofread! Before you hit that publish button make sure you have double-checked for proper grammar, correct spelling, etc.
Q4: What is your process for coming up with brand copywriting?
We all have our own processes for creating amazing copy, but here’s what works for some of the people in Tuesday’s chat:
@ExpWriters A4: Step one: channel your inner potty mouth. We’re the well-educated woman with a well-versed potty mouth. #ContentWritingChat
Once you know your brand’s voice, start researching your audience. Get to know them and see what they like. This will help you choose the right format for your content. Then, as Vivek says, just go for it!
A4 a) brainstorm w/ the team on skype, dump ideas in google docs b) research audience, top shared content w/ @buzzsumo.. #ContentWritingChat
At Express Writers, we do a lot of research via BuzzSumo. BuzzSumo allows us to check out what the top shared content is at any given time. Very helpful!
Don’t be afraid to be yourself and stand out! You have to be willing to put yourself out there. Make sure the end result is providing a value for your audience.
On one hand, it’s okay to study your competition. Check out what they’re doing and see what resonates with their audience. Don’t copy their style, but you can use it for inspiration and to do something even better for your brand.
A5) It should always stand apart if you are writing for your consumers through the voice of your brand. Both are unique. #contentwritingchat
Don’t sound like a robot! These days, your audience wants to feel a real, human connection with a brand. As Searcy, Kristen, and Varun said: be human. You need to be yourself if you want to form a genuine connection.
A6) Sharing personal experiences about something they are concerned/worried about or interested in. #contentwritingchat
Kyle said you shouldn’t be afraid to share your personal experiences with your audience. Odds are, someone has been where you were and they’ll find your story relatable.
A5b. Use feedback information to connect with your audience and build a rapport with them. #contentwritingchat
Brittany and Jeff are spot on with their answers! Make sure your visuals complement one another. If your copy has a specific vibe, your visuals should have that same vibe as well. And you should use visuals to enhance your words, not replace them.
A7. They should all work together to produce an on-brand “feeling.” You’ll know it when you have it! #contentwritingchat
It’s always a great idea to get the whole team involved when creating copy and visuals. You don’t want to miss out on some amazing ideas from your team!
A7. Visuals are always win. Infographics,Slideshares,Gifographics,etc are effective techniques of content marketing. #ContentWritingChat
Nicole said that at Poo~Pourri they love to use YouTube for web sales and Instagram for organic engagement. However, they find Facebook can be hit or miss.
We always have so much fun in our Twitter chats. This last time, we had no less than 700 participants! It’s time you be a part of the #ContentWritingChat bomb.com, if you’re not already!
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? Well, there’s no need to worry because you can catch up with our full recap of the chat. Tuesday’s chat was all about guest blogging. If you’re looking to introduce guest blogging into your growth strategy or want to take your guest posts to the next level, you’ll want to read through these amazing tweets!
#ContentWritingChat April 19 2016 Recap: Strategies for Successful Guest Blogging From an Editor
Our guest host for the week was Kathleen Garvin. Kathleen is the Editor over at The Penny Hoarder and previously worked at SEMrush. She’s experienced in SEO, blogging and digital marketing, as well as guest blogging. We enjoyed having her expertise over on our Twitter chat at #ContentWritingChat.
Q1: Why is guest blogging essential to brands and writers with a presence online?
Why is guest blogging a must and how can help build your online presence? Check out what some of the participants from Tuesday’s chat had to say:
As Kathleen said, guest blogging helps to give you a voice and also gets you more exposure for your brand. When you guest post on another site, your content gets featured in front of a whole new audience. It doesn’t get much better than that!
A1: #GuestBlogging establishes authority, esp. within a niche; also credibility as other publications accept your work. #ContentWritingChat
Tara mentioned that guest blogging could establish you as an authority figure within your niche. She and Sarah from Think SEM both agreed that you also gain credibility when other publications feature your work. That’s huge!
A1: Guest blogging provides a platform with new readers exposed to your brand. A chance to build new relationships. #ContentWritingChat.
As Ryan said, guest blogging exposes your brand to a new audience who hasn’t heard of you before. Both he and Eliza agreed it’s also a great way to build relationships. When you guest post, you not only start forming a relationship with the website, but also their readers.
A1 HUGE. It’s massive content exposure potential online for free – the cost of your time writing & making the connection #ContentWritingChat
Kathleen said to look to the high-quality blogs in your field. Don’t forget to consider your goals. What are you trying to achieve with your guest post? Are you trying to grow your traffic, generate awareness for your brand, gain more sales? This could play a factor in choosing which sites to guest post on.
A2: Relevance and audience engagement (you can look at the comments section) are big factors to consider #contentwritingchat
As Andrew said, make sure you’re choosing sites that are relevant to your brand. Also, does the site receive a lot of engagement from their audience? That’s key!
Like Kristen said, never be afraid to reach out. The worst you could hear is no. If there’s a site you want to post on, send over a pitch. You never know how it could work out!
Q3: How do pick topics guest bloggers can’t resist?
The next step in guest blogging is coming up with an amazing topic. No matter what site you’re writing for or what topic you’re writing on, providing value is always a must. Here are some more tips for choosing topics:
A3: If you’re pitching, do your homework + read the publication/blog. See what’s been covered, bring value. #ContentWritingChat
A great tip from Kathleen: do your homework! Don’t blindly pitch a website your ideas. Do some research first by reading their blog to see which topics they’re covering. You want to make sure you choose topics that fit.
A3: Guest bloggers should always have a new or unique angle on a topic that is trending or popular. What can you offer? #ContentWritingChat
Tara and Sarah both agree: be unique! You need to put your own spin on the topics you’re writing about. Don’t write the same thing everyone else is already writing.
Peter said to make sure your content is solving a problem people need the answers to. This is a great way to provide value to an audience. When you consistently provide quality content that helps your audience, they’ll want to keep coming back to your site for more.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A3. First eliminate the topics that’s not your forte. Then look for the trending ones in your authority
Pratik said to steer clear of topics that aren’t your forte. It’s best to write what you know. When you have a full understanding of the topic you’re writing about, it shows through in your writing and you’ll be more confident in your work.
Q4: What should you include/not include in a pitch email? When should you follow-up?
When preparing your pitch email, there are a few things you should (and shouldn’t) include. And how do you know when to follow-up? These tips will help:
A4: Include: Personalized greeting, short intro, pitch idea, past clips #ContentWritingChat
Kathleen recommends including a personalized greeting, a short intro, then pitching your idea and adding links to previous work. However, if you are linking to some of your past work and you were a ghostwriter, inform the person of that ahead of time!
A4: Well first off, make sure you actually read their guidelines to ensure you include what they ask for (1/2) #contentwritingchat
If there are guidelines published on the website regarding pitches, Andrew suggest looking at them before you send your pitch over. Make sure you follow them if they do! If they don’t, it’s a good idea to pitch a couple topic options just in case your first idea gets rejected. It’s helpful to briefly mention why each piece would be beneficial to their audience.
A4) I hate saying this, but please write the damn thing. Templates are so easy to spot and it’s super lazy. #contentwritingchat
Kyle says to ditch the templates! Personalize your pitch email instead. He said it helps to reference something specific about the site you’re pitching to or say how you found the site.
A4: Pitch your idea, a brief synopsis, explain how it will add value for both sides. Show links of past work for trust. #ContentWritingChat
Ryan recommends pitching your idea with a brief synopsis and explanation of how it will add value. When they can see the value your post will bring, it could increase the likelihood it might be published.
A4. It helps to have a well thought-out pitch. Use bullets & get to the point. (Don’t write a novel!) #contentwritingchat
If you haven’t gotten a response and you feel like you should follow-up, remember this: Give them time to respond. Don’t wait one day and start sending follow-up emails. Editors are busy and need time to respond to your email. Following up one week later is a great idea. Remember to be polite, too!
Q5: What makes up a great guest post author bio? What links should you include?
What should you include when writing your author bio for your guest posts? Here are some tips from Tuesday’s chat:
You just might want to steal Kathleen’s format for author bios! She includes her current position and company, her past role, any related passion projects, and social media links.
A5: A great bio will explain who you are & what you want the readers to know about you. #contentwritingchat
Consider linking to a landing page with an opt-in form for your email list to encourage people to sign-up and boost subscribers. Great tip, Michael!
Q6: Should guest posting be part of your growth strategy? If so, how often should you guest post?
We know the benefits of guest blogging, but should it be part of your growth strategy? And how often should you guest post? Take a look at these tips from the chat:
A6: Yes! Guest posting is a great way to grow your brand + connect with others in a field. #ContentWritingChat
Kathleen recommends making guest posting a part of your growth strategy. It grows your brand and helps you connect with others. However, make sure you are more focused on quality posts, as opposed to a quantity of posts.
A6: When I am busy I try to guest post once per month. How often depends upon your rate of growth/niche/strategy. #ContentWritingChat
Tara said how often you guest post should depend upon your rate of growth, your niche, and your strategy. If you’re focused on growing your audience, step up your guest posts!
A6: Yes. Guest posting is great for building authority & exposure, & helps you build important relationships/connections #contentwritingchat
Andrew also agreed that guest posting is fantastic for building authority and gaining exposure, while also helping your build relationships. Much like Tara, he suggested the frequency of guest posting should depend on your goals. Every post should serve a purpose!
A6 It’s HUGE for me building up @ExpWriters presence. So, yes 😉 We guest blog at 10-12 pubs, 15-20 posts /month. #ContentWritingChat
If you’re just starting out, Kyle recommends making guest posting more of a priority. It’s a great way to start building your audience when you’re still in the beginning phase.
Dagmar also suggests guest blogging regularly. She said it helps you connect with a new audience, gets you backlinks, and increases your domain authority and your online visibility.
A6 It’s a good start to put yourself out there. And to jump into the water. To share your expertise with a unique view #ContentWritingChat
Kyle said to share the guest post on social media, your email newsletter, and even email it to friends. You want to make sure you get the word out about your content.
A7b) Share your blog posts with your email list who may share on their social media for greater reach. #contentwritingchat
As Kavita said, make sure you respond to the comments people leave on the post. It shows you’re listening and that you’re interested in what they have to say. Starting a conversation with them makes a huge difference!
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A7. Consider writing a couple of sister posts on your blog, for the guest post. It helps audience land.
You may want to consider writing some related posts for further reading on your own website. It’ll be great for when people visit your site via the guest post. Great tip, Pratik!
A7: Promote your post like it’s a film release. People pick up on that excitement and want to know more. #ContentWritingChat
Q8: How can you track the results of your guest post?
You want to make sure you have a goal you’re trying to achieve with your guest posts, whether it’s growing your audience, makes sales, building relationships, etc. How can you measure that goal after the post goes live?
A8: Referral traffic in Google Analytics, email newsletter signups, social follows #ContentWritingChat
Kathleen says to keep an eye on referral traffic in Google Analytics, email newsletter sign-ups, and social media follows. If you didn’t get the results you wanted in relation to your goals, make changes and try again!
Don’t forget that people may forget to tag you when sharing on social media. As Jeff said, a quick search of the URL on Twitter will show you who has been sharing your post.
@writingchat see how many views you have & compare it to a previous date, more followers, more likes, more change! #ContentWritingChat
Track how many pageviews you received as a result of the guest post. Did you gain more followers, more likes, etc.?
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, then you missed an amazing conversation all about online video creation and marketing techniques. Video content continues to grow in popularity online, with more brands joining YouTube or using live streaming apps. If you want to learn how to best utilize video content for your brand, read on for a full recap of this week’s chat!
#ContentWritingChat April 12 2016 Recap: How to Create Your Most Engaging Brand Videos
Award winning broadcaster and video expert, Michael Kinney, joined us as our guest host this week. Michael has been a regular at #ContentWritingChat and we were thrilled to have him share his expertise with us. He has over 25 years of professional television production experience and he shared some fantastic insight throughout the chat.
Q1: How can you tell your brand’s story through video?
Telling your brand story is the best way to connect with your audience and allow them to get to know you and what you do. But how can you tell your story more effectively through video? Check out these tips:
A1: Do video interviews with people behind the brand to discover their WHY, their motivations, beyond profit. #ContentWritingChat
Michael suggests doing video interviews with the people behind the brand. This gives your audience the opportunity to get to know you better and also help them understand WHY you do what you do. Be sure to show how your brand is impacting customers and fans. Case studies, profiles, and testimonials are great for this.
A1. Give people an inside look at you/your team and show them how passionate you are! #contentwritingchat
One important thing to remember about videos, as Pratik mentioned: Establish a strong emotional connection. Build that connection with your audience and they’ll be sure to stick around.
A1. Know it well, tell it better. Clear communication of your message is key. Touch hearts, not wallets. #ContentWritingChat@ExpWriters
Co-op Social said it best: Touch hearts, not wallets.
Q2: What are best practices for writing/developing engaging, outstanding video scripts?
When it comes to video content, you need to make sure you’re grabbing the attention of your audience right off the bat. Creating a script ahead of time can really help with this. Here’s how to engage your audience with amazing video:
A2: Write for the ear, not the eye. Use simple, concrete, active, conversational language. #ContentWritingChat
Kyle said to keep it concise when considering your content and the length of your video. Your audience will not stick around for a video where you’re rambling on. Stay focused and get to the point!
A2. Speak your audience’s language, get to the point and let the visuals do the legwork. #contentwritingchat
Laura says to ditch the jargon and corporate-speak. This all goes back to knowing and understanding your audience. You need to speak in a way they will understand.
A1b) Captions/subtitles in video. Not all will want or be able to hear your video with the sound (i.e. in an office) #ContentWritingChat
A great tip from Jim: Don’t forget to include captions/subtitles in your videos. Keep in mind that some people may not be able to listen due to their location. Having subtitles allows them to get your content without hearing the sound. Also, this helps you cater to hearing-impaired audiences as well.
Q3: What are the ideal video formats and lengths for your audience?
When you’re creating video content you need to consider the format and the length. How do you know what will work for your audience?
A3: “Formats” can also mean the way you deliver your video: live-action, on-camera, PPT, Screencast #ContentWritingChat
As Michael knows, video formats can vary. You can go for live-action, screencast, vlogs, interviews, documentaries, etc. There are so many ideas you can turn into a great video.
A3: Video length: as long as it takes to concisely deliver the “take-away” value of your video. #ContentWritingChat
When it comes to video length, Michael says that a video should be as long as necessary to “concisely deliver the ‘take-away’ value of your video.” Focus on providing value to your audience and make your videos as long as they need to be in order to get your point across, no longer. If you start rambling on, your audience will tune out.
A3: Depends on who you’re marketing too. Millennials like shorter vids while Gen X/Baby Boomers will watch longer vids #ContentWritingChat
Keep in mind the audience you’re marketing to when creating videos. As Searcy pointed out, some will prefer shorter videos, while others are more willing to tune into long videos. Clair said to consider how much you want to share, but also how long your audience is likely to tune in.
Jeff said to consider mobile consumption when creating videos. We consume so much content via our mobile devices today and you want to make sure you keep that in mind.
A3. Test short videos (less than 2min) and longer-form ones to see which holds your audience’s attention. #contentwritingchat
If you aren’t sure what length of videos your audience prefers, test different options! Kristen suggested creating short videos and longer videos to see what your audience responds to.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A3. An ideal video length depends on a. type of content b. platform of video c. goal of the video
Pratik said to consider the type of content you’re sharing, the platform you’re sharing it on, and what the goal of your video is when trying to choose the right length.
A3) Keep your video as long as the content is engaging, no more. Bear in mind you’ve got about 3 seconds to hook ’em in. #ContentWritingChat
Your videos should be as long as the content is engaging. Don’t let your videos drag on. And as Jim said, you don’t have long to hook them!
Q4: What are some ways to get your video seen on social media? On your site?
Now that you’ve created some amazing video content, how do you make sure it gets seen? Check out these tips for promoting your video on social media and your own website:
A4: Keyword-rich video titles, descriptions, and summaries help boost organic search. #ContentWritingChat
Michael said to make sure you write keyword-rich video titles, descriptions, and summaries. This will help boost your organic search results. Don’t forget to include a transcript of your video content as well!
A4: Don’t forget the often-overlooked email signature as a spot for video links. #ContentWritingChat
Another great tip from Michael: Include your video link in your email signature. Email signatures are often overlooked, but can be a great place for promotion.
A4 Social: Paid advertising. I’ve seen just $10 get a huge boost of traffic, eyeballs and interaction w/ one FB post/vid #ContentWritingChat
Our CEO, Julia, knows that paid advertising works. Don’t write off paid advertising on platforms like Facebook. A small amount of money can work wonders to get more views and engagement on your videos.
.@ExpWriters#ContentWritingChat A4. Start getting user attention before the video is releases – i.e. with teasers, posters, etc.
If you have a video coming out that you know your audience will love, give them a little teaser beforehand. Pratik knows this is a great way to get their attention and get them excited about what is coming up.
As Alberto said, don’t forget to embed your videos onto your webpage, your blog posts, and your social media platforms. This is a must for increasing views!
A4) Upload video 2 YT, then embed on site. Optimize video title, description w/ keywords. Use transcript for mini blurbs #contentwritingchat
A great answer from Dagmar: Upload your video to YouTube (or the platform of your choosing) and embed it on your site. Optimize your video title and description with accurate keywords.
Q5: Which video platforms are key to be on in 2016?
From YouTube to Vimeo to live streaming apps such as Periscope and Blab, there are so many video platforms available today. How do you know which ones are worth your time this year?
A5: Strategically, have a platform to host your longer-form video content: YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia. #ContentWritingChat
Michael said to make sure you choose a platform for hosting your longer-form video content. You can go with a platform such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia.
He also said he feels the best video strategy is a combination of content-rich, produced videos and live-streaming videos. It’s definitely worth trying out for your brand!
A5) It depends on your demographic. Older demos skew toward FB, Instagram and Snapchat for younger demos. #contentwritingchat
Pratik and Clair know that platforms such as Periscope and Blab are great options for live streaming. Don’t forget Facebook Live, which has been growing in popularity lately.
A5: Snapchat is making waves for video stories especially for brands targeting millennials #ContentWritingChat
YouTube is great for helping you to rank in search results, while Facebook is good for internal searching. Blab is a fantastic platform for live streaming Q&As, as it enables you to have multiple guest hosts on your broadcast. Snapchat helps you connect with your audience in a new, fun way. Great answer, Dagmar!
Q6: What video metrics for engagement should you be measuring?
You want to make sure you’re keeping an eye on your metrics so you can see how well your content is performing. These are the metrics for engagement you should watch:
A6: Depending on hosting platform, look closely at shares and if they watched the video all the way through. #ContentWritingChat
Michael said to consider how many people are watching the video in its entirety. You want to make sure people are watching the full video instead of dropping off halfway through.
As Kristen pointed out, the drop off point in your video tells you about your audience’s attention span.
A6: Average % completion, unique views and engagement (shares, comments & likes) #ContentWritingChat
Don’t forget to keep an eye on user actions within your videos. Also, are people subscribing? Are they sharing? Are they leaving comments?
Q7: What are some tools or apps for creating great video?
Creating great video doesn’t have to be hard as long as you have some tools and apps to help you out along the way! Be sure to try out these suggestions from the chat:
A7: So much to choose from, but if you have a current smartphone that shoots HD, you’re pretty much covered. #ContentWritingChat
You don’t necessarily need to have a fancy camera to record an amazing video. As Michael said, if your smartphone shoots HD video, it can be a great tool to use for filming.
A7: Make sure to get a good external microphone, like the Rode smartLav+, especially for your Periscope sessions. #ContentWritingChat
Michael also suggested getting an external microphone so you can ensure the sound quality is great. A tripod and tripod mount for your smartphone is helpful as well so you don’t have to worry about unsteady video.
For editing on a Mac, iMovie is a great tool to use!
A7) Most of what you really need is a good phone camera and decent audio conditions (i.e. – not outside). #contentwritingchat
For more editing options on your computer, check out Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas Pro, or Adobe Premier Pro.
Q8: Where do you see the future of video content going?
It’s obvious that video content is here to stay, but how will it change in the future? Here’s what some of the participants of Tuesday’s chat had to say:
A8: Video is going to become the standard method to attract, engage, educate, and persuade your prospects. #ContentWritingChat
Michael said video is going to become the standard for attract, engaging, educating, and persuading your audience. If that isn’t enough to get you filming video for your brand, I don’t know what is!
A8) Cisco predicts that consumer internet video traffic will go from 64 percent in 2014 to surpass 80 percent by 2019 #ContentWritingChat
Brittany, Searcy, and Rachel know the popularity of live streaming video apps isn’t dying down anytime soon. It only means we’ll be seeing more and more video content.
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 😉
