Pin this. Save this. Bookmark this. You’re going to need it for when you finally get around to blogging. Why, you ask? Because blogging is an effective, transparent and straightforward method of interacting with your target market. Simple.
As a Digital Marketing Agency, female run and founded, we pride ourselves on keeping that finger on the pulse on everything new, trending and updated in the marketing world. So, when we say that blogging is important, we ain’t joking. No wool being pulled over your eyes here!
So, when you start going freehand, getting creative and writing, let us help you optimise your blog for the success it (and you) deserves with this bullet-proof checklist.
Is it SEO compliant?
First off. SEO is Search Engine Optimisation. If you want to get into the nitty gritty about SEO, please click here.
Making sure your blog is SEO compliant is the best way to build it up for success – as opposed to failure.
Things to remember include not sticking religiously to the 800 character limit. It’s just not worth it. As we lay out for you here, it’s not about how big it’s what you do with it that matters. Sometimes longer posts (we’re talking 1,900 characters) can typically perform better than shorter posts. Why? Because in the end, quality wins out over quantity.
Have you done your keyword research?
First off, how many keywords you use is entirely up to you. There’s no hard and fast rule. Why? Because when you start writing about one particular keyword or topic, you’re inadvertently going to include other keywords.
Research has also found that high ranking pages will also rank for multiple keywords. So again, if you just start by writing on one topic (and its corresponding keyword), you’re bound to naturally include other appropriate and ranking keywords.
If you’re looking for a free and convenient option as an alternative to Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool, we recommend this SEO Keyword Suggestion Tool.
Make sure it’s not plagiarised!
Now, we’ve all been there. At high school or uni where you have to undertake the plagiarism check. It’s frustrating because you know it’s legit but when it comes to SEO optimisation and ranking, you gotta make Google happy (and obviously not undertake unethical plagiarism).
You can find a plagiarism program that suits your preferences by simply googling “Plagiarism Checker”.
Spell Check!
Honestly, if we could underline this twice we would. As the wise old sage would say, you can never be too careful. Trust us, we know.
One tip we have – from personal experience – is to read things ALOUD. Literally. Read it once. Read it twice. Read to your brother, sister and accommodating neighbour. Get all eyes on it. Because when you see the mistake once it’s live, it honestly feels like a little piece of your soul is drifting away.
Use things like Grammarly or even just good old fashioned Microsoft spell check.
Is there a point?
Before you ask, no, this isn’t a nihilistic rhetorical question. Soz. Instead, what we’re trying to communicate with you is whether you have arrived at the point by the end of your blog. You need to arrive. There’s no point to your blog if it’s just a rant (plus even rants have purpose and direction).
Even TikTok’s Spencewuah’s #dailyworkscream has a point and purpose…
Not sure how to attack this question? Go back and re-read your blog. Do you understand what you’re saying? Seriously though, do you finish your blog and go “damn, I would high-five me for that”? If not, the point isn’t juicy enough.
Maybe you need to re-write, or mould the blog into something more appropriate. Should there be subheadings? How about numbering your tips/pointers? Make the blog a journey for both you and the reader!
How’s the headline?
Last but definitely not least, how’s your heading? Is it keyword worthy? Is it grabbing? If you saw it on a Woolies shelf, would you buy it?
Now, the headline doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. It doesn’t have to be funny. It can quite literally communicate exactly what you want.
It all needs to relate to your target market. Like we experience in all aspects of digital marketing, blogging needs to hit a home run for that niche audience. If you’re looking for guidance on how to write the most effective headline, click here.
