Posts tagged web writing
4 Steps for Selecting Topics for Blogs and Articles
One of the most critical components of publishing blogs and other articles online for marketing purposes is the proper selection of topics. Topics are such a vital factor in online article marketing because they play such an important role in attracting the right kind of traffic to your website and business.
Traffic is the primary source of potential revenue for any online business. The need to attract quality traffic through web content writing is the key reason why you need to publish useful and beneficial information for your target audience.
The attractiveness of your topics determines the volume of traffic – and thus revenue – they will generate, which are the real measures of success for your online marketing campaigns. So you should select them wisely.
Here are four quick steps of for choosing article and blog post topics that will catch the attention of your target audiences:
1. Identify Need
The main purpose of selecting a great topic is to give your audience what they are looking for. If you can correctly identify their wants and needs, you are on the right path to offering content that they just can’t refuse. One simple way to identify what your target market wants is by researching the most popular keywords they utilize when searching for information using Google and other search engines. One handy way to do this is with the help of a keyword suggestion tools, such as Google’s Adwords Keyword Tool.
Almost everyone now runs to the web for answers to all of their questions, potential solutions to their problems, and lists, tips and procedures for doing something properly. Give them what they want and they will give you their attention.
2. Topics Need to be Related to Your Business
Writing web content to promote your business online will give you a chance to showcase your knowledge and expertise on that niche. Your articles should be directly related to what product or service you sell. This establishes you as “the expert” on your subject or in your field. This can also help build your company’s credibility and win the trust of your readers. These are critically important elements of any business relationship.
3. Research Fresh Issues Related to Your Niche
People are naturally curious, and they will always want to be the “first to know” new and interesting information. This is why fresh, relevant information is so attractive to readers. Take advantage of this by starting a routine of researching the latest issues, trends and developments in your industry or field. Authoritative sites are often your best sources of these, and you should check them out regularly in order to become one of the very first to relay the info to people who share your interest.
4. If You Run Out of Topics, Write a “Tips” List
Tips and “Top 10” lists and how-to guides are still the easiest and most attractive types of articles and blog posts to write if you run out of other fresh topics. People love these types of articles because of their usefulness and power to assist people in doing things on their own. This post itself is one good example of this style of web content writing. And if you need additional ideas, or help sticking to a publishing schedule there are resources that can help you, with Hat Trick Associates just one of your many options.
SEO is Most Important Marketing Method For Any Website
The importance of good SEO (search engine ranking) for your website – built upon a foundation of well-written, high quality content – can’t be overstated or overlooked by your company if you want to be found when customers Google search for a business just like yours…
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Web Content 102
As you have heard us say before, there are millions upon millions of online blogs and other informational websites, but what makes for great web content?
Clear and Concise
Being vague is one of the biggest mistakes a web content writer can commit, as it can compel your audience to instantly evaporate. No one wants to stay a second on something they find too complex or vague to understand. The mark of an expert lies in his ability to make complicated things clear and simple. Don’t use 200 words to say something that could easily be written with 50; people don’t have that kind of time these days.
Know Your Audience and Be Compelling
Know what your customers or general readers care about. If you think that your content can catch people’s attention because YOU are really passionate about the subject, you’re falling into the trap of assuming visitors will care because you care. Most people won’t spend a second on topics they don’t care about.
(…now it certainly does help to have a strong attachment to your topic, but you need more than just that!)
And “compelling” means that your web content not only grabs attention, but has purpose. Typically this is a sales conversion, but not always – especially on news-based blogs. Know what the end goal of your online copy truly is.
Accurate and Complete
The very first step is to create content that is accurate and complete. You need to ascertain that what you tell the world is correct. Information online is easily accessible today, but readers can easily spot posts or articles that were rushed and not fact checked pretty easily. If you don’t have the time to fully research your facts, like many business owners and others responsible for web content, find someone who does.
You also need to fully develop your ideas, or link to follow up information or action steps that make sense (such as a purchase option, if your content is made as a teaser).
And a good example is:
If you found this information helpful and would like to talk about ways to make your web content more compelling, contact us to learn more!