Monday 13 July 2015
Decimal has Blogger Brain
"Because a great blogwriter, in the end, is someone you want to be friends with."
South Africa’s online advertising industry is worth R319 000 000, and still growing.
Online retail generates R688 000 000 in sales.
There are roughly 26 000 South African blogs, read by over 600 000 people.
Money? Blogging? See the connection here…?
Frequent blogging seems quite easy, inexpensive and really effective in attracting more customers to your business. However, this inbound marketing device is more than just a quick money-making strategy, and can cause quite a brain-drain if not done properly.
Unlike other forms of writing, blogging creates a very personal relationship with your consumers. You are inviting an audience to comment, share, analyse and judge what you are saying, and how you are saying it. It is because of this immensely personal relationship that you need to be a blogging-genius to get the results you want.
Jared Kisten, Social Media Manager at Decimal Agency, believes that you don’t focus on having a great blog; you focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.
So what makes a good blog?
1. A Brain-doused Content Plan: Your blog says a lot about your ability to plan, and random blog posts will show how little effort you’ve put into communicating with your consumers. You need to follow a strict content plan, based on long- and short-term social media goals.
“Have a single focus about a topic you really enjoy, and put a little of yourself into it,” says Kevin Donahue, co-creator of Fanblogs.com
2. A Sense of Purpose: Think about the problems your consumers may have, and consider the questions they might ask. Now, answer them.The more practical and informative, the better. Solve their problems.
“A problem is a chance for you to sell a solution.” Jared Kisten, Social Media Manager at Decimal Agency
3. Something to Say: It is important to develop a clear, confident voice that speaks with personality. Put yourself into your writing, speak to your consumers and make it personal. Write as if you’re talking to them. Sure, they’re not talking back, but only for the moment. Soon they will. So talk as if you’ve got their ear, and as if they’re listening but just chomping at the bit, waiting for their chance to respond.
“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.” Neil Gaiman
4. Unique Selling Point: Just like your brand, your post has to be a unique, individual and entertaining. Amuse your readers, tell them stories. There are thousands of blog posts on the internet: give your consumers a reason to choose yours
“What is genius but the power of expressing a new individuality?” Elizabeth Barrett Browning
5. A Clue: You have to know what you are doing, why you are doing it and how it needs to be done. Online advertising changes on a daily basis. If you aren’t familiar with the technical terms of blogging, you are probably spending valuable resources on a dead ROI. I fyou don’t know what Google is, you better Google it soon.
“You have to constantly be up to date with the latest trends, otherwise you will lag behind and become completely irrelevant.” Says Kisten.
Jared Kisten, our Social Media Manager here at Decimal Agency, has over 5 years experience in Online Marketing and Social Media, with over 5 leading brands, including Mimmos, Drimac, Hi-Fi Corp, Incredible Connection and Soviet Denim. Jared takes care of everything from online strategies, Social Media performance to blog and website maintenance for top brands. As part of a full-service agency, Decimal Agency can offer a complete Blogging package based on expertise and know-how. Our digital solutions produce tangible results that gets your brand on the tips of everybody’s fingers.
