Guest Post by Jennifer Brown Banks
When I got word last month that my site had won a “Top
Blog” Award, I was doing the happy dance here. It was the third consecutive
year in a row I had managed to garner professional recognition, for what began
as an experiment of sorts. Not to mention, when it comes to promoting my site
through the social media scene, I admit to being somewhat of a recluse.
But as they say, “three times
is a charm.” With this last one,
there was more than a warm and fuzzy feelin’ and a validating experience. I had
what Oprah often refers to as an “AH-HA” moment! It dawned on me that when it
comes to this blogging business, I might know a thing or two that would
actually be “marketable,“ in terms of helping others to get the recognition
they desire and reap a return for their sweat equity.
Though the path to success
may have varying routes, as it applies to other genres of writing, blogging
tends to be more straight and narrow. Accordingly, I offer the
following checklist for those of you seeking to encounter fewer detours on your
journey.
Is your blog poised for
success? Here’s how to objectively
assess where you stand based upon what advertisers and influencers often look for in a blog.
If you’re on board, let’s look at your blog through different
lenses.
Here are a few factors on
which they‘ll likely focus. The more of these you can
check off, the more you’re on point!
LANDING PAGE
Does your blog have a logo,
slogan, or tag line?
Not only does this enhance
your site’s appearance and establish you as a professional, it helps to
solidify your brand and distinguish you from the crowd.
CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
Do you have an “About Me”
page that identifies who you are and the purpose of your site? Is it written in
first-person, and in a conversational tone? How about a head shot in a
prominent place that reflects who you are?
Does it convey what readers
can expect to “take-away” in exchange for their time? Contrary to popular
opinion, an effective “About Me” page is not really about you; it’s about your
audience.
FOCUS AND EASE OF
NAVIGATION
Can visitors easily determine
your blog’s theme and intended readership? Or do you have topics from art to
zoology addressed in your posts? Do you have tabs and labels for easy
navigation? Or once there, are readers trapped in a virtual maze? Keep in mind
that many times advertisers are trying to strategically target a specific
demographic with their products and services. If they can’t figure out yours in
the first few minutes of visiting your site, you’ve lost them in more ways than
one.
EVIDENCE OF SOCIAL PROOF
Social proof can come in many
forms. It can be written testimonials from satisfied customers, or a gadget on
your site that reveals how many Tweets you have from your “peeps." According to Hubspot.com’s marketing
blog, “Your product or service could be the best in the world, and it's okay to
lay that claim -- it's just that people may not believe you unless they hear it
from other people, too. And that's exactly what social proof does.”
THE ENGAGEMENT FACTOR
Though good writing can
sometimes be subjective, one of the best metrics for blog success is how your
words resonate with readers in the way of feedback. How active is your blog
community? Do readers respond to
your posts through questions, suggestions, ongoing discussions and thoughtful
threads? These are things to consider.
FREQUENCY OF UPDATES
A regularly updated site shows
discipline, commitment, and consideration for your blog followers.
Bloggers who are here today and gone tomorrow confuse readers, come across as amateurs,
and lose the potential opportunity to build a solid platform and a supportive
fan base. Do you blog on a regular schedule? Or is it typically whenever the
mood hits you?
Sporadic blog posting can be
counterproductive, and cause bloggers to work “harder, not smarter.”
If you’re looking to “win
friends and influence people” these factors are crucial for future
blog success. Incorporate them in your strategic efforts to reach new heights
and new goals.
Jennifer Brown Banks is an award-winning blogger, ghost writer, and relationship columnist. For more than a decade, her work has appeared in print and online publications such as: Today's Black Woman Magazine, Honey, Pro Blogger, and Women on Writing.
