Creativity is not reserved for artists, musicians and craftspeople - every businessperson needs to have a spark of creativity, we all need to positively engage with our potential customers.
Most business people know that strategic content marketing using a blog is a successful way to bring good quality traffic to your website. However writing a blog can have a much bigger impact on your business than clicks and conversions. Blogging can have a transformative effect on your attitude and the connection you have with your target market and your industry. Your blog also can help to channel and focus creativity that can otherwise dwindle when we are consumed with more mundane aspects of our businesses.
If you are a fan of Wordtracker then I am sure that you understand the core principles of a great content marketing strategy. Researching keywords and creating appealing content on your website for your target market. Your blog becomes the hub of all of your online marketing, drawing people to your website through search and social media, with lots of interesting news, helpful articles and inspiration. The goal of each and every post being to draw traffic and convert visitors to customers or subscribers.
The problem is that often we look at the blog in a purely two-dimensional way, thinking it is entirely about traffic and sales. We can miss the amazing potential a well crafted blog post has for not only boosting traffic and sales but also raising your own profile, connecting you with industry experts and harnessing your creativity.
- When you write a regular column or blog post, you give yourself a reason to maintain a keen focus on industry news. You will always have something interesting to say!
- Researching a blog post can uncover information that is vital to the progression and growth of your business.
- Taking a break from the daily grind and allowing yourself the freedom to share opinions and write about the industry you are passionate about is a great way of letting off steam and sharing your big ideas. (you may need to do some editing before you post!)
- Writing a blog post can give you a reason to connect with an industry influencer - “I wonder if I could get a quote for an article I’m writing for our website?” This can be a great ice breaker when networking on or offline.
- Having a regular post gives you a deadline to finish a certain project. If you want a particular link to go out in this weeks newsletter, you have a great reason to finish a project and get a post written up.
- Blogging can give you a reason to try new things. What could you do next week that would be more interesting for readers? These kind of targets can be great for company morale - even if it’s just you in your home office - get out and meet people, be an active member of your industry!
- Blogging gives you a reason to take photographs and record the interesting and fun aspects of your working day. Instagram/Twitter/Pinterest Boards or Facebook posts can be embedded into blog posts easily, giving you the opportunity for a weekly round up.
- Planning the editorial calendar for your blog can help you identify crucial dates in the year for promotion, in this way your blog becomes your promotional compass.
Creative thinking is vital in order to sustain a popular blog that keeps people within your niche market coming back for more. It is about more than just keywords and ticking all the SEO boxes, you need to learn to enjoy the process of writing and sharing. This enthusiasm will ultimately shine through in your writing and it will have a positive effect, improving your attitude and motivation.
For me a huge part of blogging and content marketing is consistent and planned time for research. This is what sparks my creativity and gives me ideas for posts for my clients. When you don’t have your own interesting stories and images it’s important to have access to great resources that you can share and write about. Build up niche Twitter lists, Google+ Circles and highly organised RSS Feeds so you always have access to juicy content to share.
Think broadly about what your potential customers might be interested in, what compliments your products or services? Content marketing research can take you on many fun journeys. The important thing is to take notes, bookmark posts or add to Pinterest boards, add new bloggers you find to Twitter lists and RSS Feeds and allow yourself to be inspired and motivated. If you enjoy a blog post you find when researching, take the two minutes needed to track down the author and tweet them a thank you. These connections, if nurtured, can lead to opportunities on and offline which will help establish you as an expert within your industry.
Your weekly time slot for blog planning and research will soon become one of your most eagerly anticipated appointments!
I’d love to hear how you have found that blogging has helped you to channel your creativity!
