3 Tips for Writing Better Blog Posts
3 Tips for Writing Better Blog Posts
Would it help you, if you had three tips for writing better blog posts? I have decided to tackle this issue after reading so many blog posts that disappoint me!
Have you ever started reading a blog post and had to stop half way through? I know that I have. Blog posts sometimes suffer from 1) misspelled words, 2) blatant selling, or 3) lack of organization. If it is a really bad blog post it has all three problems.
When these problems occur your personal branding and professionalism suffer. So, let's talk about how to address these problems in blog posts. When you solve these problems with your writing you will get more readers.
So, today I am writing about three common problems with blog posts and provide three tips for writing better blog posts.
I. Misspelled Words
Misspelled words in blog posts are a real pet peeve for me. I must confess that I have been known to misspell a few words myself. Oops, just had to correct a misspelled word!
My concern is about blog posts where there are 5 misspelled word in a 5 sentence paragraph. Please do your readers a service by using spell check. This kind of error could have been caught by simply proof reading your article before publishing.
Remember to check your spelling. That is the first tip for writing better blog posts.
II. Blatant Selling
Blog posts that blatantly sell products or services are another turnoff for me. If they bother me, it probably bothers your readers also. I understand that you are in business to sell. But those of us that take time to read for information want you to at least try to share something helpful.
So, please leave the blatant selling to your sales copy. Let your blog posts be places of problem solving.
III. Lack of Organization
Blog posts that lack an organizing principle are confusing to read. Some posts are just a huge blob of print. These types of posts do not use 1) headings; 2) paragraphs; or 3) bullet points. It is very difficult to follow the narrative of the posts without some basic cues about the topic.
Master blogger and bestselling author Michael Hyatt in “Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World” also discusses the need for clear cues in your writing as you move from one topic to the next.
Conclusion/Call to Action
If you want to increase the number of people reading your blog, then follow these three tips for writing better blog posts.
Hopefully your blog will not suffer from the following problems:
- Misspelled words
- Blatant selling
- Lack of organization
When a post contains two or three of these problems it is often impossible to read.
To address these issues, remember to:
- Use spell check and proof read
- Save the selling for your sales page
- Remember to provide visual cues in your posts such as paragraphs, heading, and bullet points
In the digital age, all of your content is always available. It hurts your personal branding to produce sloppy work.
Let us hear from about your pet peeves in this era of digital marketing.
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Strategic Pathway to Success Program™. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, providing results-oriented solutions that help you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
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Podcast: Be Authentic to Increase Your Authority Status Episode 8:2
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Be Authentic: Don't Be A Fake
Be Authentic: Increase Your Authority Status
The word “authentic” is defined in the dictionary as meaning,” worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.” As an entrepreneur you want be seen as worthy of trust, reliance, or belief. Otherwise, potential clients, customers, or partners will likely not want to work with you. You want to be real. You want to be humble. In this podcast we explain why it is so important to be authentic as you build your authority status. We also give you several tips on how to be authentic and transparent.
Different Types of Authority Figures
There are generally two types of authority figures. The first type may hit it big for a while. They tend to being shooting stars. They have 15 minutes of fame and then it is all over. You never hear from them again.
Then there are other type of authority figures who build their authority status over time. They retain that status over the long term. This type of authority figure is well-respected within their industry. As you build your business you want to be the second type of authority figure. You want longevity. One of the key ways to build longevity, is to be authentic. That means being 100% yourself. You present a consistent face the world.
Be Authentic and Transparent with Potential Clients and Partners
Being authentic means that you connect with your potential clients and partners in a way that is truthful and honest. When you are pretending or being fake, other people can pick up on your awkwardness and discomfort. It is often difficult to maintain a fake persona for too long. Then when people find out how you really are, you quickly lose credibility. All of the goodwill and authority that you have built is gone.
Being transparent means that you are honest about who you are and what you know. If you do not know the answer to a question, then admit it. Don't pretend to have knowledge that you don't. My experience after giving hundreds of speeches, presentations, and court room arguments, is that is best to admit it when you don't know the answer. You have more credibility with the audience. Let them know that you will find the answer for them. Then follow-up.
By being authentic and transparent, you are able to brand your personality. You can embrace what is truly unique about yourself. You can offer your client what no one else can. Don't be a clone or an imitator of what everyone else is doing. There are more benefits and opportunities when you share your real self with your potential clients.
As you present your authentic self to the world, you build your credibility and authority. You increase your status as a recognized expert.
Let us know about your experiences when you have not been truly authentic. What were the consequences?
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Personal Branding Builds Your Authority
Personal Branding Builds Your Authority!
Personal Branding Builds Your Authority
Personal branding happens with every action that you take as you engage with your audience. Every email, every post, every tweet says something about you as a person. It makes an impression! What impression are you making? If you allow your personality to come through it can help brand you and your business. This article discusses several ways that you can allow your personality to shine and why it is so important to developing your personal brand.
Your Photo is Part of Your Brand
You may not realize it, but your photo is part of your brand. The professional headshot or photograph of you that you use on your website says a lot about your personality. By using your own picture, rather than a carton or icon, people get to connect with you as person and as an authority figure.
Remember to use the same photo or one that is similar in all your marketing. This provides consistency for your brand. You do not want your audience guessing whether it is you or not. We like to use our photo on all our information products. It helps to gain familiarity and to build the authority of our brand. Research has shown that humans respond emotionally to faces. So put a smile on your face and let your audience know that you are an authority.
Use Audio and Video to Build Your Personal Brand
There are so many opportunities available now for your audience to hear your voice and see you in action. The growth of video marketing is astounding. So many people have become famous from YouTube videos that we have stopped counting. So do you have a YouTube channel where you showcase your personality? Video gives you the opportunity to share both your voice and your image with your potential clients. That is very powerful! Live streaming on Periscope and Facebook are also available. A recent newspaper article stated that most Face Book posts will be video in a few years. Currently video posts get the most engagement.
Another outlet for your personality is an audio podcast. While a podcast doesn't allow you the advantage of sharing your authoritative face, you can share your voice. The sound of your voice and its intonations allow your audience to feel more connected to you. How you speak can have a huge impact on how your audience views you. So consider starting a podcast to boost your visibility and authority. Try the Special Report and Training Guide: The Podcasting Power Playbook to help you produce an impactful podcast series.
Personal Branding Helps You to Stand Out in a Crowd
In a world filled with so much information competing for our attention, as an entrepreneur you must look for ways to be different. Personal branding is the difference. There is no one exactly like you! Allow your audience to get to know you and understand how you can be of service. As you brand yourself with your content, pictures, posts, and videos you build up your authority status.
Connie Ragen Green said in a recent post on the topic of personal branding:
“Not only will potential clients remember you better, it’ll also be easier for them to tell others about you. Then you’ll be viewed as an authority in your field, all because you took the time to work on your branding.
But this is only the beginning. As you become more well-known, your ideal clients will become more attracted to you. You won’t have to spend as much time marketing because your customers will naturally flock to you. When this began to happen in my business I was overjoyed and my confidence soared.”
We could not agree more that by using personal branding to build your authority your business will grow. Your ideal clients will find you through word of mouth referrals based on the strength of your authority.
Conclusion
As an entrepreneur building your business, remember that your personality is part of your brand. Whenever you communicate with your prospective clients your personality shows. What does your communication say about you? Make sure that your writing, photos, audios, and videos showcase your personality in the best possible light. Each of these communications can boost your authority and build your business.
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, online business strategist, and speaker, providing you result-oriented solutions to help you to achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Pamela Montgomery
Be Professional: Make a Good First Impression
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Being Professional Matters!
Be Professional: Make a Good First Impression
In today's episode of My Biz Dream Team: Episode Wednesday Training Series we discuss how you should present yourself in a professional manner. We discuss specific steps that you should take to be sure that you will be seen in the best possible light. What kind of an impression are you making? As an entrepreneur you want to be seen as the expert in your market. People are drawn to those in authority. Your professionalism will help you attract new clients and grow your business. You may want to read our recent blog post How to be a Recognized Expert to get more information on the topic.
What Does it Mean to Present Yourself in a Professional Manner?
It means that you set high standards for your business. What standards have you set for your business? If you set low standards, you will not be in business long. You don't need to be perfect. No one is perfect. But people want to do business with people who know what they are doing. It means that you have to look and sound like an expert. You can do this in a number of ways.
(1) Your social media posts should be professional and business related. There is a real danger of over-sharing. The danger is that your potential clients may get an unfavorable impression of you. So be careful of what you post on social media. Your photos and images should portray you in the best possible light. This is the case even on personal sites. Nothing is private on the internet.
(2) Your written and spoken language should be consistent with the image that you want to portray in your business. It is better not to use slang, tech talk, or jargon. Make sure that you are clearly understood by potential clients. You may want to hire an editor to help you with writing books or marketing materials.
(3) You want to seen as someone who is a problem solver. Be friendly and approachable. You will attract more clients by putting yourself in situations where you can continue to grow and learn. Become known as someone who helps others.
You are probably already doing many of the things we suggest. But you can always use reminders.
Leave a comment to let us know how you are using social media and marketing to make a good first impression on your potential clients.
