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Blogging requires constant change and improvement. It’s a rapid-fire industry that evolves with not only reader interests, but also technology. SEO has changed how readers find blog posts. In order to succeed, you must appease both SEO and the reader. We’ve put together a list of five tips that will help you win over both.
Pay Attention to Length
In the age of SEO, length matters more than ever. Find an approximate length that works well for readers and search engines alike and stick to it. The most popular lengths are 500-600 words, 700-800 words, and 1000 words. Naturally, there are many other options, including 2000+ word posts. A little variety is fine, but having a set length will help you spot appropriate topics and organize your content more reliably.
Choose Images Carefully
A picture is worth a thousand words, but if you choose the wrong image, your readers won’t be able to link the picture and the text. Just because something is flashy doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for your article. The best images are usually bright, simple, and communicate an idea directly connected to your title. Blogging has plenty of room for creativity, but don’t let your picture steal the show.
Change Up Your Content
If you eat your favorite meal every day, it will soon cease to be your favorite meal. If readers see the same type of content over and over, they’ll wander away from your blog. Keeping things fresh with format changes is a great way to draw more attention to your blog posts. For instance, a list post offers a nice change from basic DIY articles. An interview can add zest to a series of blog posts that rely solely on the voice of the writer. There are plenty of ways to introduce various kinds of media to your posts as well. Images are great, but don’t be afraid of pulling in an occasional video or gif.
Mix Scheduled and Last Minute Blog Posts
Bloggers face two frustrating principles. First of all, bloggers know that fresh, relevant content has the most chance of gathering views. Second, bloggers also know that working ahead is the only sure way to prevent a rainy day from destroying a regular posting schedule. Both principles are important, and balancing them is a delicate act few manage to pull off. The best way to beat the system is to work ahead as much as possible with topics that are not time sensitive. Keep these in reserve for up to a month at a time and then try to write fresh articles every week. If the fresh articles fall through, you have a back up, but fresh articles should always be the priority.
Use Subheadings
Subheadings give you two blessings. First of all, they make reading vastly easier for your audience. Like section names in a text book, they inform readers of what to expect from each section. It improves retention and makes your blog look vastly more professional. The second benefit comes from SEO. SEO uses Heading2, which you ought to use for your subheadings, as a key search criteria. Use your keyword in a subheading, and you will boost your SEO score substantially.
Individual blog posts don’t seem like much. They are, however, what drives your blog. Improving them one at a time will build your readership through both content and search engine ranking.