No matter what industry you’re in, there’s no doubt about it: you need a blog. Without a blog, you’ll quickly fall behind your competition in search engine results pages (SERPs). With that in mind, it isn’t just enough to learn how to start a blog: you also have to learn how to promote it.
Even the best, most established businesses still brainstorm creative ways to promote their blogs and generate reader interest. But with so many businesses and blogs crowding the landscape across every industry, finding unique promotional methods isn’t always easy. Here are five creative ways you can attract new readers to your blog:
Get Involved In the Community
As a business owner and blogger, you should go where your customers go. Start by getting involved in your online community. You may not realize it, but every industry has its own group of forums and boards where users go to share their stories, trade advice, and solicit feedback. All it takes is a little digging. For example, on Reddit alone, you’ll likely find several subreddits relevant to your business, where you can participate in discussions and spread awareness. However, it’s important that you use these forums for engagement purposes only; too much promotion will diminish your credibility and could even result in a ban from the forum moderators.
Use Direct Mail
Direct mail has made a comeback in the world of marketing. For starters, getting started with a direct mail campaign is easier than ever; purchase custom mailing materials from online resources like https://www.envelopesuperstore.com/, use USPS tools to target your ideal market and have a tracking method in place for analyzing data (like using a code on your mailers). The fact is, between 80% to 90% of direct mail gets open, compared to less than 20% of promotional emails.
Answer Quora Questions
If you don’t already know, Quora is a question and answer platform where users can ask questions and receive accurate, insightful answers from professionals and other experienced individuals. Many questions have already been answered, which makes it an evergreen source for users asking similar questions. With the right strategy, you can find success with Quora.
Some of the biggest names in business have turned to Quora to answer questions relevant to them, including billionaire Mark Cuban. Start by creating a Quora profile. Search through questions in your industry and take your time creating detailed, well-researched answers to the questions that are most important to you.
Consider Content Syndication
Content syndication is the process of re-publishing content that you own on third-party sites. By reposting duplicate content, you can expand your reach even further. This is an especially great tactic for newbie business owners with recently-launched blogs. It can be frustrating to spend a substantial amount of time working on content and watch it go unnoticed.
Anytime your article is syndicated on another site, you’ll receive the credit with a byline, as well as a backlink to your site—which ultimately helps boost your SEO as well. Some of the biggest publishers use content syndication on their site, like Business Insider, FOX News, and Entrepreneur. Search for syndication-friendly blogs in your industry that publish content from multiple others. You can also republish on platforms like LinkedIn and Medium, where your content is more likely to get noticed.
Get Involved With Podcasts
Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular. According to Edison Research, 44% of Americans have listened to at least one podcast before, and 26% of Americans listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. No matter what industry or niche you’re in, there’s a podcast that covers it.
There are two ways you can approach podcasts from a promotional perspective: by paying for a paid/promotional podcast, or by being a guest on a podcast. Both tactics work in the same way PR does for traditional publishers: outreach is key. For instance, you may have noticed sponsored stories in magazines. Similarly, many podcasts sell spots on their shows. On the other hand, you can reach out to podcasts you’re interested in, letting them know why you’d make a good guest on their show and how you’re relevant to their listeners.
Build a Roundup Post
A roundup post summarizes expert advice from professionals in a particular field, centered around a particular topic or question. This compilation of answers can offer tremendous value to the reader. But most importantly, it allows you to connect with established individuals in your field. And when you quote them for a roundup piece, chances are they’ll share it—increasing your backlinks and further spreading awareness. This is a great way to capture audiences that are highly relevant to you, without having to do much more.
Start by thinking of a topic or question that’s important in your industry, and then build a list of influencers who can contribute. As you work through the outreach process, be as succinct as possible—too much email copy can get lost in translation, and cause them to lose interest. You can also use the Help a Reporter Out (HARO) tool to attract experts to you.
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