This post is one in a series of five guest posts authored by the super star bloggers pictured below. As part of a celebration of National Small Business Week we are asking readers to match all five guests posts up with the contributing blogger to be entered for a chance to win an iPad2. Read all five posts in today’s series and come back each day this week for five new posts in this great educational series and another chance to win.
Janine Popick
Janine Popick is the CEO and co-founder of VerticalResponse (Inc. 5000 2006-2010), a leading self-service direct marketing provider to over 100,000 small businesses. Janine is VerticalResponse’s CEB (Chief Executive Blogger). She is a columnist for Inc.com “Women in Business” and has been published in DM News as well featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, ClickZ, and B2B Magazine.
Okay, I’m Creating Content How Do I Get Someone to Read It 2
Make It Good
Here’s what makes great content:
- Humorous stuff
- Behind the scenes stories
- Controversial, political & religious
- New happenings
- Tips & tricks, hints, lists, how-tos
- Reviews
That’s the type of content that can draw readers in and engage them, especially if it’s relevant.
Plus, snappy headlines or email subject lines are a must! And don’t make your content too long, don’t use great big paragraphs, have easy to read fonts and bullets are key. Also, break up thoughts and subjects with subheads so your reader can scan. This goes for anything online!
Get People TO Your Content
If you’re writing a great email newsletter and you’ve lured them in with your snappy subject line, good for you! We’ve had success when we give a “taste” of the content in the newsletter, then drive them to a site or blog for the rest of the story. This way you potentially get them to look at other content you’ve written as well.
When you create your content whether it’s in an email, blog or website, let the world know! Publish it to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And submit it to StumbleUpon and Digg at the very least.
One more thing, include the keywords that you optimize your site for. When potential readers are using search engines, you’re going to want your content as high in the rankings as possible.
Get Readers to Know YOU
The first thing I do when I get to a blog is research who the writer is. I want to know that the person behind the words has credibility and is passionate about what they write. So make sure you publish your bio somewhere on your site so your readers get to know you.
Another great way to get people to know you is to comment on other blogs. Not only will your comment and your information be displayed, but the blogger you’re commenting on may end up following and commenting on your blog too. And if you like something you see on Twitter follow them and retweet (RT) their content. If you find content on Facebook interesting, click the Like link.
Finally, write the way you speak. Your readers want to read what you have to say so just say it and let your personality shine through!
