Your blog is updated frequently and according to your publishing schedule, yet engagement and traffic are on a steady decline. What could be the reason? Your topics are well within the interests of your target audience and your tone of voice has not changed over time. Could it be that your blog posts are too similar in format and approach and they have become a little boring?
This is one valid explanation for the fact that many business blogs decline in popularity and fail to keep readers engaged and interested over time. The problem is that once marketers and business owners hit on a success formula for blogging, they keep using it again and again. The problem is, you CAN have too much of a good thing and people soon will stop feeling their initial excitement.
The solution to this is simple: add variety to your content mix. Surprise your readers once in a while with something different and find out from their reactions what else you need to add to your success formula. Here are some of the most popular types of blog ideas to revive your readers’ interest.
- Lists
Lists are highly appreciated because they give people many alternative solutions and answers to a common problem. This specific format is adequate for quick browsing on mobile phones and allows you to create useful content starting from the information you find on the internet.
The most popular types of lists are online resources, books, forums and other digital assets people can quickly access by clicking on the anchor text included in your article.
- Behind the Scenes
Your customers are curious to know how you work, and how you develop your ideas and products. They can be inspired to improve their own way of working and managing their time. Every once in a while, virtually invite your readers in your office or workshop, take them on a tour of your facilities and let them meet your top employees who help you grow your business.
- In-Depth Article
Some topics deserve to be explained and analysed in detail. Current events and ongoing problems affecting your customers’ lives are such topics. Instead of glossing over it in a few paragraphs, take the time to delve into it, present all the aspects and the pros and cons, and give your readers all the information they need to form their own opinion or to act accordingly.
- Infographics
Big data is abstract. Numbers and percentages are hard to grasp and may remain meaningless to your readers. If you want them to understand why they should really care about a change in taxes, about the rise of a new trend in shopping, or home insulation and energy efficiency, you should present these numbers and percentages visually. Infographics are ideal for this purpose. The clever combination of shapes, colours and copy allows people to understand and remember the information easily. In the future they will always favour your blog because they know that you explain abstract information in a friendly and facile way.
- The Experts’ Opinion
Contact various thought leaders and influencers in your industry and ask them a relevant question for your audience. Their answers are usually thought-provoking and clarifying in ways which you may not have achieved. Plus, it will grow your reputation among your readers once they realise that you have access to these leaders and they validate your business by agreeing to share their ideas with you.
Finally, do not forget that your own readers are a valuable source of topics for your blog. Their questions and comments will show you what they really want to know, what worries them and what interests them. Using their questions as the source of a FAQ article once in a while will also show them that you really listen to them and are trying to be helpful.