27.07.10  Christine Online: 5 tips to make your blog pop   |   Christine da Silva of AlterSage shares her top 5 tips to blog better. Blogging forms part of social media and is a great way to build a personal brand and your reputation as a thought-leader. Read the article here for tips to make your blog "pop"!

I know that the expression “make it pop” is loathed by freelancers the world over, mostly because it doesn’t really mean anything. So let me explain that, in this context, when I say “pop”, what I mean is “stand out” from the crowd. 

A blog is an easy way to communicate less formally with potential clients and to establish yourself as an authority or thought-leader amongst your peers. Blogs are regarded as a component of social media because it’s easy for individuals to publish content, and the community is encouraged to comment on and engage with posts.

What makes a successful blog?

Generally, blogs that are popular are informative, opinionated and/or entertaining. These are the types of blogs which generate a lot of comments and feedback from their readers. Usually, what readers enjoy is a specific blog’s “personality” or style. Bloggers who interact with their readers in their comments or posts also benefit from these exchanges.

Here are five basic guidelines to help ensure your blog makes the most impact:

1: Write about what you care about.

The most successful blogs are written by people who are passionate about their subject matter. If what you are writing about excites you, this will show in your posts and will encourage others to engage with you.

2: Feel free to express your opinions.

People like a blog because they like (or hate) the personality behind the writing. Your blog should have a personal touch.  This isn’t to say it can’t be professional, but there’s little point in repeating news that can be found elsewhere. Rather, unpack or give your opinion on the latest industry-related news. This is a great way to spark debate.

3: Keep things informal.

Because this isn’t a State of the Nation Address or an academic essay, it’s ok to keep things more informal. In fact, it’s recommended that you do. Once again, think about who you’re writing for and why they’re coming to your blog in the first place. To keep your blog’s “voice” authentic, try to write like you would speak.  This also makes your posts more accessible to your readers, who don’t necessarily want to wade through War and Peace as they catch up on their RSS feed during their lunch break.

4: Make it scannable.

Use punchy headings and subheadings and make use of formatting like lists, bolding and italics to make your posts easier to scan and quicker to read. Posts do not need to be super long either, once again, these aren’t theses! If you can make your point quickly, your posts will “pop”.

5: Link, but do it carefully.

Linking is obviously the best way to direct your readers to more information and it plays an important part in SEO if done correctly. Also, linking properly can enhance your credibility as an authority on your subject based on where you link and who links to you. However, too many links can compromise readability and can start to look spammy. So, the best advice here is to link where necessary, but don’t overdo it.

Writing regular posts and commenting on other blogs is a good way to ensure that your voice is heard online. A well-written blog is also an important part of your online C.V., and this can go a long way towards landing you that next contract. Whether it’s part of a portfolio or just a soapbox, a blog can be a worthwhile part of building your personal brand.

Would you like to comment on this article? Pop over to our Facebook discussion board.

About the author:

Christine da Silva is a professional and well-experienced Online Marketing Strategist specialising in Search Engine Optimisation. She has an enviable depth of experience and knowledge of the Online Marketing industry and her reputation has secured her company, AlterSage, clients from around the globe.