Content Marketing Made Simple

Blog Smarter, Not Harder: 5 Tips For Blogging On A Budget

The blogging world, by virtue of the sheer quantity of words being produced on an hourly-daily-weekly-monthly basis, has grown into something of an unwieldy beast.

In our digital reality, which is already packed with reams of information (some of it great, some of it good, a lot of it, frankly, substandard or not properly researched and honed for its intended audience), creating exceptional blog content is of utmost importance to promoting your business, service or cause.

You might be thinking right about now: Does this mean I have to spend a fortune to obtain or generate exceptional blog content? The answer is a definitive "no." There are tricks to this trade, and if you take the time to learn those tricks you will be well on your way to putting out the best material possible and maximizing the effectiveness of your message without breaking the bank. In fact, you might even save money!

Blogging smarter and not harder, while keeping a close eye on your budget, can be achieved by embracing the following proven techniques for navigating this sometimes confusing world with absolute confidence:

1. Although this article uses numbers to break down and explain five specific tips for blogging on a budget, bullet points are another way to hook your intended audience and capture the attention of your reader through a stringent and precise message that relays its key points quickly and effectively.

However, try not to overdo bullet points; keep them to about 5-10 topics, otherwise your message likely needs to be condensed or reworked. More than 10 bullet points can begin to resemble a PowerPoint presentation; if that is your goal, then you are on target, but otherwise the delivery of concise and informative blog content should be your foremost priority;

2. Make your blog content fresh and original. If you rehash information, your reader will probably go to the original source, leaving you with a missed opportunity for increased traffic and business. For more on this important concept, check out www.wordgrrls.com, where you will learn how to become a "content curator" and in turn set yourself apart from the competition;

3. When you title your blog, be careful to avoid sounding like you are making a blatant sales pitch. Instead, go for the creative, the irresistible, the inspiring, the curious. Try not to over-pitch. In other words, keep it real. Keep it honest. You will be viewed as trustworthy and reliable, and that will bring your readers back time and time again to see what you've got waiting for them in your next blog post. Select a powerful but simple "keyword" that you repeat just enough so that you can maximize your search engine optimization potential;

4. Your blog content should be viewed as much more than words. Indeed, think of your blog as your window to the world, as a gallery of ideas, suggestions and helpful information that expresses your strongest attributes as an individual and/or business or organization.

Demand high-quality articles from the onset and you won't have to spend time and money to rework content that doesn't tell the world exactly who you are--and with panache, to boot. When people click on a link to your blog, they are sending you a powerful message, one that boils down to this: I am a busy person, but I am choosing to give you my attention. Respect and promote that, and you will enjoy loyalty from repeat visitors and a growing audience based on positive feedback of your efforts;

5. Enhance the quality and timeliness of your blog content by staying up-to-date on news that affects you and your present and future readers. If you see a news item that resonates with you and your message, use it to write articles relevant to you. Be careful to remain original; don't copy but do use the media as a stepping stone to current events that are relevant to your blog.

Also, follow other blogs that you admire and note why they are successful; read the comments people post and pay attention to what draws in readers and makes them tell others about their positive experiences. 

Great blog content is a huge marketing opportunity. Enjoy the process as you reap the rewards!