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7 Powerful Ways to Get Your Blog Post Noticed

Posted By Guest Blogger 11th of December 2010 Writing Content 0 Comments

Stanford obsesses about how to get passionate people’s blogs noticed and promoted at Pushing Social.

Great posts often get ignored.

It shouldn’t happen. Literary masterpieces should be revered but that just isn’t the case in the blogosphere.

On a blog, a post has a few seconds to capture and pull in a reader. The writer needs to state their idea and immediately begin to persuade, entertain, and motivate.

For many, writing a successful post is a game of chance. They write hundreds of posts only to see a few do well. On the other hand, some seem to have a gift a supernatural ability to publish one blockbuster after another.

What’s their secret?

After spending more hours than I can count analyzing popular posts on top blogs, I’ve been unable to unearth a pattern. I saw that the best writers consistently followed a blueprint for increasing their post’s chance for success.

After studying this blueprint, I found seven factors that can immediately pump more power into your posts. Take a look…

1. “I” focus instead of “you” focus

One unsavory quirk about human beings is that we instinctively focus on ourselves first. This means that your visitors immediately start scouring your blog for posts that mean something to them. If you start your post with:

“I just spent the day washing my kitchen floor.”

…your readers will ignore it. After all, the post is about YOU and YOUR kitchen floor and not about them.

Try this instead: Start your posts with a statement or question that uses the second-person perspective:

“Do you hate washing your kitchen floor? Is a mop the last thing on Earth you want to hold in your hand?”

See what I mean?

2. A focus on solving problems

Human beings are natural-born problem solvers. From the moment we wake-up to when we lay down to sleep we are finding answers to problems. Your readers will adore you if you can solve a problem that has been haunting them. Work hard to find these solutions and offer them often.

On the other hand, if your blog posts are getting ignored, it’s likely that you are solving your own problems and not your readers.

Give this a try: take out a sheet of paper and write down 11 big problems that keep your readers up at night. Now think of five posts that you can write for each of those problems. Sit back and look at your list of 55 blog posts. That looks like a solid editorial calendar for 2011, doesn’t it?

3. One idea per post

Research has shown that most people can’t hold more than one or two ideas in their head at one time. The more ideas you try to stuff in, the more likely you are going to get ignored.

Focusing on one idea is a sure-fire way to immediately boost the punching power of your post. If you have more than one then consider writing a series of posts. But, whatever you do, don’t shoehorn a thesis into your post. That’s a certain recipe for obscurity.

4. Excellent packaging

You know what? Blogging is a visual game. If your post is packaged well, it will get read. I’m sure you’ve found yourself reading a poorly written post wrapped in a great package! So, at least spend a little extra time to clean up look and feel.

A few pointers: use short paragraphs and one-line sentences to make your paragraphs visually interesting. Add mini-headlines throughout your post to help people who skim before they read. Last, find a picture (preferably of people) that grabs attention and helps tell your post’s story.

5. Down-to-earth practicality

Blog readers are a practical bunch. Like you, they want to be able to use what they learn. That means, they absolutely hate Ph.D. dissertations in blog-post clothing. Dense, fact-laden, verbose, diatribes repel readers and get ignored. Save this document for the place where it belongs: in an academic journal.

On the other hand, work to place relevant and practical information in each post. Your goal should be to illustrate your point in simple how-to pieces. Not only will people thank you in the comments, but they will also share your content.

6. Careful research

I’ve made the mistake of thinking that my readers shared my interests. I was wrong. The ghost town around my blog post provided all the proof I needed.

Research is the process of pinpointing what interests your readers. These days, research is pretty simple to do. You can simply ask for topics on Twitter, do a Google search with your topic and the word “help”, hang out in online forums, or survey your own readers.

Once you get the research right, you’ll soon be perceived as the go-to person in your niche. You’ll have the answers and your posts will attract eager readers by the bushel. Trust me. (By the way, if you are competing in a competitive niche, research is the number one way to get an advantage)

7. Rapport

When I started writing professionally, a mentor told me to write as if my reader was sitting on the bar stool beside me. That advice has been worth a fortune to me.

The best way to build this type rapport is to write with your natural voice. You know, the voice you use when you talk to yourself in the shower. The voice you use when you want to say something snarky but think better of it. Yep, that voice.

Once you start using it, your posts will stick in the minds of your readers. Lurkers start commenting and people start sharing. Got it?

Can you do this?

Did you put your finger on a few things your can improve in your next post? Which one of these “pitfalls” causes you the most problems? Comment below and we’ll chat about it.

Stanford obsesses about how to get passionate people’s blogs noticed and promoted at Pushing Social… except when he’s fishing for monster bass. Follow him to get the latest about his new ebook “Get Noticed.”

About Guest Blogger
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Comments
  1. This is a good post reminding us of the essential important parts of writing a successful blog post. Wow! I sound like I know what I’m talking about!

    I do most of this stuff naturally, but I do tend to write “I” stuff too much.

    Thanks for the reminders!

    • I loved point carefully research, really we need to do practically research before writing something. I am agree also we should focus on solving problem rather than writing in a better way.

    • Hi Steven,

      You are lucky ! gifted to have be able to write based on the principle found in this post.

      I’ve learn a lot in this one post, I’m lucky to have read this before starting on posting my 4th post. Yeah, i’m a newbie. Well Thanks Problogger,

      This post is going to save my time in writing 55 unattractive post then one blockbuster post.

      Wish me luck guys…:-)

  2. I definitely agree with it. It’s better that when you write you have to actually focus on one topic to be able to actually guarantee your readers that you really know what you are talking about. I guess it’s also one way of not jumping to another subject without explaining well the first topic you chose.

  3. Thanks for this great Post!
    It is awsome for a beginner like me. These type of technique and hints, offer novice like me great insight into methodology of writing good content and compelling blogs that will get noticed.
    Great job pal. More grease to your elbow.

  4. This is one of the most helpful posts! Particularly love #2…in pursuit of problem solving!

  5. I really needed to hear these tips! Glad to know I’m doing some things right and also good to know where I need to improve.

  6. I learned so much from this post.

    The most important lesson for me is to use ‘You’ rather than ‘I’ in my posts. Empathy with the reader is key also, but too much ‘all about me’ isn’t good…

    So much to learn… so little time… but I love it!

  7. Excellent pointers, I use some of them already and will start to employ the rest.

    Dwight Anthony
    Financially Elite Blog dot Com

  8. Thanks for your post. It’s so easy to lose sight of who you are writing for.

    Your point about writing like an academic is so valid. This is one tip that’s going to go to a friend of mine,
    who is doing A PhD and unfortunately writes his blog posts like they were part of his academic papers.

  9. There are very good tips for providing consistently strong posts. Being able to package value in a digestible way is important for building a strong reader base. No one will read if they have trouble understanding what to get from the post. Thanks for the insight. I will use this information as I continue to grow my blog.

  10. I often write in 1st person plural – we. I write about fitness for cancer survivors (& am an almost 10-yr survivor myself). Since I am part of the community I’m writing for, it makes sense to me. I guess it’s kind of a combination of “I” & “You”. – Maybe I’ll try changing the focus to “you” – see what happens.

    These are all great points – thanks for the ideas/reminder.

  11. Great information. I get long winded in my blog sometimes…so much to say but breaking it up makes more sense.

  12. When I first started blogging, I did a lot of “I” and not much problem solving. ;) I’ve made a big shift in those in the last couple months. It has helped. Thanks for reminding me to stick with it. :)

  13. My blog is about writing – the arts – and mental health. I have bipolar disorder and I’m educated in psychology, counselling and mentouring. This means I do share my issues with the readers (though I’m still very new at all this and have few). I also post small pieces of my work (3 so far), and occasionally ask questions and post helpful advise I found useful, myself, etc. I have found all things related to me get mostly ignored,while the questions (asking for advise) and articles giving advise get much more traffic! So to me, this article is proved correct already. Only weeks in and already the evidence is there. Thanks for this advise.
    ;)

  14. I really like the concept of I vs You, it really brings out the real content. Moreover, it keeps readers interest as reading long meaningless lines with crappy text.

  15. I need to reread this post at least once a month. Thanks for the great information and concise writing. Liked your comment about the “ghost town” around your blog. I so relate.

  16. Just posted this on my Gmail business calendar for year’s end.
    Making changes in the whole approach…especially number 2!!!
    What a great post…everyone should read your posts daily!
    Thanks!

  17. Excellent information. Focus on what others want, and solve thier problem.

  18. Excellent post. I wish I could copy it, study it and read it every time I do a blog post. Thank you for sharing.

  19. I really like this post..From my point of view.. I would say write from your bottom of your heart fully dedicate your heart and mind for writing..and see the result..I really love writing..I write mostly technical blogs but its really amazing experience..really..thank you!!!

  20. If you give solutions, then it is easy to persist. Beside this, I think telling good inspiring stories can also bring in a lot of readers.

  21. Thanks for the great reminder. You are so right, its about offering practical easy to do solutions to the problems of others!

  22. Worth reading over & over!

    Especially the packaging part…if I can’t read it easily, I’m gone!

  23. All are excellent but I love the #2 as most of us coming here to get our problems resolved :-)

  24. I know what you mean. I think writing blog posts in a conversational style is actually much easier than wasting time trying to be all formal.

  25. Great post! I think getting ideas on what to post that will drive traffic is something that many people struggle with! Twitter is a great source to find popular topics or upcoming topics to create a blog post about. Thanks for sharing!

  26. Will try this for sure ! I know this is the right time for me to start, Chrome OS just launched ..

  27. Thank you for the advice. I just started my own blog recently regarding self-development advice for professionals and I really enjoy writing the posts. That said, the ego part of me can’t help but wondering if life will flash-forward a year and I will still be spending a few hours each night to write posts that will never even be read let alone commented on. I just want the site to be a community for people searching for some suggestions to tackling common problems or to unwind/vent about the issues they face in their jobs, life, meeting expectations of themselves/others, etc but sometimes I doubt it will ever even be found by anyone. I think it is tougher for me also because I have to keep my website/name private because of my career, so I cannot even tell friends/family that I have the blog and to go read it. I feel like a really lame superhero. I do know that the day I get just one comment back on an article it is going to feel like christmas day all over again. Best of luck with everything, very practical advice and very helpful to someone starting out.

  28. Wow, I can certainly use all 7 tips to better my blog. I especially appreciate 5 and 7! With experience in psych research, I tend to lean toward being too technical. I’ll being trying to fix that. :)

  29. This was priceless! I just did the questions that my readers have, and already I have tons of posts that I could write. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Awesome.

    I’m ashamed to say I’m guilty of making a lot of these mistakes, sharing too many ideas, and writing dissertations and not including “you” in my posts have meant a lot of really great posts have gotten ignored. But this is good, I’m learning.

  30. I agree. It’s better when you write you have to actually focus on one topic to be able to actually guarantee your readers that you really know what you are talking about. I guess it’s also one way of not jumping to another subject without explaining well the first topic you chose.

  31. Sometime not only problem solving can bring lot of visitors. Even you are the one who face the problem with others also enable other visitors to share the same experiences with you. Use famous or sensitive issues blog usually capture lot of people to comment.

  32. You are so right, if you can solve problems for your readers they will love you for life. Using natural language is a must. Love the post great job

  33. Thanks,

    Those are excellent way’s to get noticed, focussing on the readers by writing ‘you’ instead of ‘I’ is defenitely something that I did wrong in the past. One idea per post is also something
    that I should work on.

    Anyway,

    Than an other thing…., You…., yeah Y O U.

    Pssssst….,

    O.K. Listen, do you hear the humming of your computer…?
    Lean over a little to your screen and look carefully at the words I have typed here, partly cover the words with your hands so that nobody else can read them….,

    O.K. here it comes…….,

    I have no idea what else to write in this comment
    but please don’t tell anyone about it
    O.K.???

    All the Best,
    To your Happy – Blogging – Inspiration, :)
    HP

  34. Well I was just in the middle of writing a long blog post about my experience with spirituality in entrepreneurship … how many rules does that one break!! ;) Thank you SO MUCH for saving me from myself on this one … it would definitely have been one of those “I’ll read it if I have time later” type of posts that hang around in someone’s In Box for a bit and then get deleted!!
    I’m going to scrap it and write something clear and concise that helps solve a problem my readers are having.
    YEY!!

  35. Years ago, a commenter on an old blog of mine suggested that I “lighten up” my writings. From that comment I gained these insights, that I was to stiff, to analytical (my personality type), and to boring. :-) But I have not forgotten that unsolicited, but much needed, advice. Ever since then, I try harder to let the lighter side of my personality shine through my posts. I do a better job, but based on these tips, I can stand another fine tuning! Great tips – thanks for sharing.

  36. I appreciate your post. Though each point is a good reminder, the suggestion of one idea per post is probably the one that speaks to me most. Thanks,

  37. Very good points indeed. I’ve fallen short of quite a few of the items. I’ll be working on them.

  38. I’m happy to find out that not talking about me all the time isn’t a problem. Some people advise bloggers to be very personal, but I’m not fond of me-me-me blogs or people!

  39. THIS IS OH-SO-COOL! Though I am guilty on several points. No, make it GUILTY on all counts. The concept is fixed, it’s the actions and details that somehow need to be re-focused toward the “solve problems” of people. Right now I’d just like to see how blogging goes, and along the way collect really helpful and notable articles that would HELP readers.

    Thanks, dude. Will turn to you for more ideas. Definitely!

  40. I like the one idea and building rapport with the prospect because it is the same thing as having a dialogue with your prospect. Since it is online we have to pay even more attention to our mindset because they are of course not sitting next to us in the same room.

    Lawrence Bergfeld

  41. We must illustrate content in story form. That way our prospect will want to read on and come back to see your next post.

    Lawrence Bergfeld

  42. This is great information and want to say thank you for sharing this. I think that I would like to share this with some of my good friends that are just getting started with Blogging and even some that have been doing it for a while.

  43. I always appreciate it when tips and techniques focus more on the heart of what’s involved in blogging, rather than formulas. Thanks for helping the rest of us get at the heart of what’s really needed.

  44. Great tips Gary. I’m still trying to figure out why I’d need a blog. The thoughts in my brain are so many and quickly-changing, I think I ought to keep them where they belong! Maybe one day I’ll have the patience to sit down and write. Until then, you can find my blog at twitter.com/volkswatson !

  45. All great tips that really hadn’t crossed my mind until reading. While all very simple I think these are all things that are easily overlooked because of their simplicity.

  46. Thanks for posting this! And yeah, I really believe in good packaging. I myself love reading blogs with good photos and text that’s easy to read.

    Thanks for the reminder! Happy New Year!

  47. I think I can start do some adjustment to my blog base on this article. It is true people read blog to find out what can they practice after read the blog not to read what do you do today, unless you are a celebrity.
    Thanks for the tips.

  48. Corasus says: 01/09/2011 at 10:41 am

    Great tips dude. Very useful, i’m new to bloging so i spend my time surfing the net for tips and ways to begin, make the first step in this area and this things are a great insight.

    Thanks for posting it.

  49. Have always enjoyed your posts. As my goal for 2001 is to improve my blog and to truly make a contribution through it, this post is a fantastic reminder of what we all should be doing when writing our posts. As a healthy lifestyle writer your words ‘ big problems that keep your readers up at night’ have shown me where my blog needs to be going. Thank you!

  50. I was reminded by someone who recently mentioned it in a post. Thanks for the great info.

    The bar stool advice is an awesome idea to keep in mind when writing. I appreciate your insights.

    Rich

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