One of the first things you should do once you start a blog is come up with a blog content strategy. Don’t worry, it’s easy and will save you time in the future and help keep you focused. A blog content strategy is basically your blogging plan that will help you make sure that all of your blogging efforts are done with a goal in mind. Your blog is part of your business or will someday be your job and it should be treated so.
Be sure to download your free blog content strategy worksheet at the end of the post!
Now that you know what a blog content strategy is, you must be wondering how to create one. I have put together six questions to ask when creating a blog content strategy.
How often should I post?
It is important to have consistent content. I would say the bare minimum would be once a week. I would try and do around 3 – 5 blog posts if it fits with the style and content of your blog. I have seen blogs do more and I have seen some do less. It really depends on your preference, time and manpower to get the content created. REMEMBER it is more important to have less high-quality content than it is to have more filler content. If you don’t have anything to post, don’t. But I would set up a guideline in your blog content strategy and try to stick to it. Your readers will learn when to expect content from you.
Deciding how often to post on your blog in just one part of your blog content strategy. Click To TweetWhere will I promote each post?
It is not enough to just post content on your blog. You need to promote it on other social media channels. Right now my main focuses are Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, but I am going to add Twitter and Google+ very soon. Promoting on various channels puts your content in front of more eyes.
Will I use images and/or videos? Where will I get them or will I make my own?
Images and videos are a great way to grab the attention of your readers. They help break up large bodies of text making it easier on the eyes. I would suggest having at least one image per post, more if appropriate. Once you make the decision to use images and/or videos you need to figure out where you will get them. I believe in creating your own if you have the time. I currently love Photoshop or Canva to create my graphics, Camtasia to create my screen flow videos, and then I use stock photography for any photographs. Right now all the photos on the blog, including my headers on social media are from Death to the Stock Photo or Pexels.
Will I use photos, videos or both in my blog posts? and other questions you should be asking. Click To TweetWhat topics will I blog about?
This one is really important for all blogs, but even more important for business blogs. You should have a niche, at least for the majority of your content. For example my focus in on helping bloggers learn how to improve the look and feel of their blog through blogging, design, social media and SEO tips. I am not saying I won’t branch out here and there but most of my content will fall into those categories.
Do I want readers to be able to comment on my blog?
Did you know that you can actually turn off comments? Some bloggers choose to go this route. I feel that blogging is about cultivating a community and one of the biggest ways to do so is by allowing comments. It is a great way to communicate with your readers. I have seen some bloggers turn off comments on an individual post as well, so that is an available route if needed.
What do I want visitors to do on my blog?
You have got a reader to your blog, now what is the action you want them to take? Maybe you want them to sign up for your newsletter, then I would make the sign up prominent on the page. Do you want them to read and interact with your content? Then create valuable content with a call to action asking them to comment or give their opinion. Think about what you want your readers to do once they are at your blog, then make sure your calls to action are clear.
I just created a content strategy for my blog. You can too with these questions. Click To TweetWhile it is better to have one from the beginning, don’t worry if you have been blogging for a while and don’t have one. Create one as if you were starting from scratch! It may help you gain clarity for your business blog.
Remember it is never to late to create a blog content strategy for your blog.
Want to go even more IN-DEPTH?
Check out my #ContentCreateHustler series where I show you the simple process I use when creating content. Content creation shouldn’t be hard. And when you have a solid content strategy it really isn’t.
- How to Hone In on Your Purpose, Niche and Audience
- How to Determine Your Content Style and Frequency
- Why Promotion is Just as Important as Creation – If Not More!
- The #1 Tip for Content Creation from 15+ Industry Leaders
Do you have a blog content strategy? How has it helped you focus on your blog? Let me know in the comments below.
Great post! I think we can get so lost in “I have to blog” that we forget *why* or *when* or *how to share.* This is a good reminder.
I am glad you liked it! Having a strategy is super important, especially if you are trying to turn your blog into a business or if it is your business!
Great post! I’d say on top of having a strong blog content strategy, you also need a strong social media strategy. Especially to support your 2nd point, “Where will I promote each post?” You want to make your content work for you. So having a game-plan and knowing WHY you’re posting on each of these platforms is also super helpful.
I love your blog, btw! Excited to keep following and staying connected :)
Definitely! A social media strategy is just as important! I mean, you can write all the content you want, but if no one is going to see it, then what is the point?
I’ve been inconsistent on my blog because I feel like I’m running out of content to post, so this post is super timely and very helpful.
So glad you found this helpful! I love to have a running list of topics so when I feel like I don’t know what to write about I can check the list.
I love this. I need to get back on track with my strategy. Sometimes it’s easy to loose site, but it’s always so good to remember to ask yourself questions so you and your readers are on the same page.
Exactly! I know I have lost track of the bigger picture at times too. It is always good to make sure you revisit your strategy.
They are great tips, thank you. I also think continuity is important as well as sticking to your schedule for a while. And promo is of course important. Thanks x
Yes! It is important to be consistent and promote your content or else no one will know it exists.
EVERY BLOGGER SHOULD DO THIS! I am still kicking myself for not doing this from the beginning.
This was the first blog that i actually did that for. Well, for the relaunch anyways!
It’s so important to have a strategy that works for you and your schedule .When I started I was trying to publish every day like a madwoman lol Now I post 2 times a week (Took it down to one fore the summer while I focused on my e-course.) Also how am I getting this out, I have to find my visitors they don’t have to find me! Great post!
Thank you so much! When I first started my lifestyle blog a few years ago, there were times I post 2-3 times a day! Not sustainable!
As a new blogger, this post was so helpful! Thank you so much for your great advice and tips! Xx http://thecarlycollective.wixsite.com/mysite
So happy you found it helpful! And welcome to the blogging world!
I love the, “What do I want visitors to do?” question — this isn’t something I think about and sometimes the answer isn’t just reading a blog post!
It is something I try to remember at the end of every blog post!
Great tips! I used to use Photoshop for all of my editing but I’ve switched over to PowerPoint now because it’s great for the layers.
I love Photoshop and InDesign. I am a designer though and have been using them for years. But I know a few people who use PowerPoint :)
Great tips. I will be referring back to this!
So glad to hear!
This is such a great worksheet! These are all so important for having a consistent and successful blog. Thank you for sharing!
xo // http://www.thematerialgirl.co
Thank you so much! It is something I wish I would have had when I first started!
Such great tips, I think about these things a lot to keep on track!!! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, they are so important to come back to often!
These are just what I wanted to know right now! Thanks for the write-up!
So happy to hear!
I’ve been trying to get more into promo since that’s not really my strong suit. Thanks for the tips! x
I have been stepping up my promo game too!
Yay thanks for this list! Great ideas!
So glad you liked it!
Love the info! Thanks for putting it out there! :)
Thank you so much! The worksheet goes into even more detail!
These tips are awesome! I’ve been trying to be a bit more serious about blogging lately and these tips definitely help to accomplish that!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
So glad! I hope you downloaded the worksheet! It goes into WAY more detail, I need to update the post a bit to go more with the worksheet.
Awesome tips! Helpful content for all bloggers,
Thank you so much!
Great tips! These are things I think about every few months just to keep on track!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Yes! So important to check in on this every once in awhile to make sure you are still on track! It is okay if things evolve and change too!
I need to come up with a strategy for my blog. Right now it seems to be all over the place. I wanting to get serious about making my blogger better. I am ready to step up and start improving.
I hope you download the worksheet! It walks you through the process. Having a plan really steps up your blogging game.
Great tips on making a blog successful. I find it hard for myself to stay consistent on keeping a posting schedule, but I know how important this is for the success of my blog and my readers happiness,
Marly
http://www.GirlyLove.org
It is something I still struggle with! I am getting better though. I need to be more consistent, put my content strategy to work!
Such important topics for being a successful blogger!! :-)
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Yes! It is something I wish I had done sooner.
I worry about posting content too frequently when I have a ton of ideas and then having no content when I don’t have any ideas at all. Do you think you get into a groove finding topics you enjoy writing about?
I definitely get in a groove! I need to remember to schedule posts rather than just consistently post right when I finish one. It is hard though because you don’t know how long your streak will last. I don’t know about you, but I get really excited after I finish a post and just want to make it live immediately. I need to work on that. :)
These are all awesome tips! Thanks for sharing! Wish I’d seen this when I started!
Thank you! I tried to create something I wish I had when I first started!
These are really great tips, especially if you are just starting out with your blog. Sending this to a girlfriend!
Oh thank you so much!!
Good questions. All of them are very important to ask if you want a successful blog.
Yes! They help you treat your blog like a business.
Love that you say if you don’t have anything to say, then don’t post at all. Meaningless posts come across as just that. AND if you start to write something but don’t love it, then your readers probably won’t either.
I can definitely tell when some one isn’t passionate about what they are writing. It is hard for me to enjoy those posts. I think it is much better to just not post!
Finding the best content for an audience and knowing its something you love to share and write about is so important! I love fashion, lifestyle, and travel and I knew thats what I wanted my blog to be about!
That is why I love lifestyle blogging! You can choose a few things that might not seem related, but the common thread is you!
Great tips! These are such important things to consider if you want your blog to grow and succeed!
Rachel | http://www.theconfusedmillennial.com
Thank you so much! Blogging definitely goes much smoother with a plan!