We've all been there. We start out writing posts on our blogs, and we think we're doing something right, but after a few months, we look at our Google Analytics and see that nobody has read anything we've written. Why does this happen?
There are many reasons why your blog may not be reaching the heights you want it to, but there are also some steps you can take to fix these problems and make your blog more successful. Read on to learn the 10 things that will help you improve your blog and make it a roaring success with your growing readership.
One of the main reasons your blog might suck is because it doesn't have a purpose or focus. Without a clear sense, your blog will lack direction and be all over the place. This can confuse readers and turn them off from reading your blog.
"...when writing, take some time to think about what people may search on Google to find your content.."
Make sure you have a clear focus to know what you are writing about at any time. Also, when writing, take some time to think about what people may search on Google to find your content.
A cluttered design can be overwhelming for readers and make your blog look unprofessional. To fix this, try simplifying your design by removing unnecessary elements and focusing on typography and whitespace. You should also consider limiting the number of colors you use to reduce the overall complexity of your design.
"...try simplifying your design by removing unnecessary elements."
People can't read it, don't understand it, and will never come back for more. Keep in mind that writing is like a conversation with the reader. They need to know what you're saying without being bored or confused by all the fluff.
"...writing is like a conversation with the reader."
Make the content understandable and exciting. To do this, break up long sentences into shorter ones; use bullet points; and use graphs, images, videos, or other visuals where appropriate.
If your blog isn't driving the results you want, it might be because your calls-to-action (CTAs) are weak or duplicated. They don't clearly state what you want the reader to do, or there are too many CTAs competing for attention.
"You need just one clear CTA per blog post."
You need just one clear CTA per blog post. Think about what you want people to do next. For example, if you're trying to get people to buy a product, make sure that in addition to mentioning the product in your blog post, you have a link directing readers straight back to the page where they can purchase it.
If you're focused on selling rather than engaging, your blog will suck. Engagement is key to a successful blog - without it, you're just talking to yourself. To increase engagement, try asking questions in the comment sections of your posts and then responding to the comments.
"If you're focused on selling rather than engaging, your blog will suck."
If you're not periodically creating high-quality content, it's no wonder your blog sucks. Content is the bread and butter of any successful blog. Make sure you're putting out great stuff regularly. Don't make excuses for not doing so - write about what interests you and be passionate about it.
"Make sure you're putting out great stuff regularly."
If you're not updating your blog regularly, it will suck. Period. Why? Because people lose interest quickly, and if there's nothing new to read, they're not going to stick around. You need to post at least once a week, if not more, to keep people coming back for more.
"You need to post at least once a week..."
If you're not generating enough traffic to your blog, it's likely because you're not doing enough to acquire new readers. One of the best ways to do this is through guest blogging.
"By writing articles for other blogs in your industry, you can reach a whole new audience..."
By writing articles for other blogs in your industry, you can reach a whole new audience and introduce them to your site. Guest blogging is an excellent way to grow your website without breaking the bank. All you need are some connections and a willingness to put in the work!
Your blog might suck because it's not optimised for SEO/SEM. If you're not using the right keywords, you will lose your blog in the sea of the internet. Optimising your blog for SEO/SEM is essential if you want people to find it. Here are a few tips:
If you're not optimising your blog for social media platforms, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to reach more people. You're limiting its reach by not making it easy for people to share your content. And if you're not using social media to promote your blog, you're missing out on a valuable tool that can help you grow your audience. Optimise your blog for social media platforms using hashtags, links, and share buttons.
"You're limiting its reach by not making it easy for people to share your content..."
If you're not happy with your blog, don't give up! You can turn things around with a little effort and start seeing the results you want.
PS: Are you receiving FREE publicity opportunities, straight into your inbox?
No?!! (Wha?)