Have you ever wondered why some business blogs generate a regular stream of traffic…while others gather dust?
Well, it’s because that in addition to great writing and outstanding design/layout (nobody likes to squint or experience information overload!), popular and successful business blogs regularly pump out a variety of different kinds of posts.
In part 1 of this series, we looked at 3 great blog post ideas for generating traffic:
- Issues & Insights
- Answers to FAQs
- Lists, Lists and More Lists!
Here in part 2, we’ll explore 3 more that should definitely be included in your blog post playbook:
4. How-To’s
Customers are always looking for quality “how to” information that helps them solve a problem, achieve a goal, clarify an issue, and so on – and your blog is the ideal place to give them what they’re looking for.
Just keep in mind that the “how to” information you share needs to be kept at a fairly high level. If you drill too deep, not only will your blog posts become excessively long, but they won’t be read. If you want to tackle or address a more elaborate problem or issue, then the best route is to provide some general “how to” information in your post, and then invite customers to contact you (or even better, download one of your ebooks!) so they can learn more.
5. Checklists
Checklists are also great blog post ideas, since customers are always looking for practical tools to help them work more intelligent, efficiently and effectively. These tools are also great for establishing your “thought leadership.”
While it’s possible to publish a checklist directly within a blog post – and there are some businesses that take this approach – at Leap Clixx, we suggest that you create checklists as assets (e.g. as graphics file or as a .pdf file with your logo and contact information), which you can then offer to your customers free of charge once they fill out a brief form. The blog post can then be used to summarize the checklist, and tell customers how it will benefit them.
In this way, your customers get a great tool they can use immediately, and you get their name and email address. What’s more, since the checklist will be available as a file vs. a web page, your customers can easily store and share it with their colleagues.
6. Case Studies and Use Cases
Case studies are small, focused “business stories” that highlight how a customer of yours benefited from using your products or services. A use case is similar, but instead of referencing a specific customer, if focuses on how your products or services can be used to achieve key benefits. Both of these make excellent blog post ideas, provided that they aren’t too long, and that they’re valuable, interesting and relevant to your customers.
Also, in some cases it may be beneficial to feature case studies and use cases on a specific page on your website. If so, then you can still highlight these in your blog posts by providing an overview/summary, and then a link.
Stay Tuned for Part 3!
In part 3 of our look at great blog post ideas for generating traffic, we’ll wrap things up with 4 more that you’ll definitely want to add to your rotation. Stay tuned!
Topics: Inbound Marketing
