Why do some blog instantly become hits, while others languish without a reader to be found? Although the subject matter can play a big role in popularity, a lack of readership can be attributed to a lack of style in the blog. Since there is so much competition out there, you’ve got to work on creating a special hook that will keep your reader’s interested. This is the key to developing a corporate blog that will get noticed. Here are some tips on how to pick the right style hook for your blog.

1. The Funny Hook –

If you are a naturally humorous person, don’t be afraid to let your sense of humor shine through your posts. Granted, this is not the place to share off color jokes, but if you have a talent for wry, dry or witty writing, your blog can be a great outlet. If you can make people laugh while they are reading a corporate blog, that is a big accomplishment. Readers remember funny blogs right off the bat and they’ll want to return often to make sure they get their daily dose of funny. However, if you do not have a flare for comedy, this is not the best hook to use. The key is knowing whether or not you have the talent for being truly humorous. If not, there are plenty of other hooks that you can use.

2. The Newsy Hook –

This is the perfect hook for those that may have a drier writing style or for those that don’t feel comfortable cracking jokes all the time. If you have the time to spend monitoring news and breaking it on your corporate blog, you can develop a very devoted readership. It’s best to stick with news that is related to your corporate sector, but there may be times when you can push the envelope a little bit. Many blogs have taken off after they covered one item that was very popular. The readers will stick around if they like your style and the information you cover.

3. The Controversial Hook –

This hook should be used with care and only by those that are masters of PR and capable of handling controversy. The blogs that use this hook are probably the most popular, but there is a fine line to walk here. If you are worried about your company getting dragged through the mud, or if you have a board that you have to please, it’s best not to use this hook.

These are just a few examples of hooks that you can use to start creating that relationship with your readers. If none of them fit, then just let your personality shine through your posts. Being friendly and open can be a hook on its own and may actually create better results than all three of the above hooks combined. The secret is finding what works for you and your readers. Once you’ve got that down, the sky is the limit.

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Originally posted 2008-09-03 05:20:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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When you first start your corporate blog, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of coming across a new marketing medium. You suddenly have access to millions of readers that are just dying to know about your products, right? Wrong! Your readers are out there, but they don’t just want to read about what you have to sell. They want to read content that enriches them, makes them laugh, makes them think or simply informs them.

There is a fine line to walk when you are corporate blogging for marketing purposes, and with practice, you can become a pro. There will a few bumps along the road, there always are, but with time, you can develop a solid method of marketing that works on your corporate blog. The key is knowing what to do, and what not to do.

Do: Provide your readers with a resource that will enrich them in some way
Don’t: Post endless commercials about your products that provide no actual value to a reader.

Do: Find ways to integrate your products into posts that readers enjoy.
Don’t: Spam your readers with endless product pitches and hard sells.

Do: Develop a balance of selling products, telling a story, and reporting news
Don’t: Ignore the fact that no one likes a blog that is nothing more than an endless commercial.

There is a trend that is obvious right off the bat with these do’s and don’ts. First, the key is knowing how to market to your audience. Second, you have to find a way to quietly market your products while still providing interesting content. Third, you have to avoid coming off like you are actually marketing your products – even if that is precisely what you are doing.

It can take some time to develop that balance, and there are a few ways to know when you are striking the right chord. Watch your site analytics, pay attention to comments and feedback. If your traffic goes down, or your comments drop off, chances are you are either selling too hard, or not providing your readers with what they want to hear.

Another don’t that bears mentioning is writing your blog solely for the purpose of search engine optimization. Yes, SEO is vital. Yes, SEO will benefit your site, increase traffic and has the potential to increase your sales.

What SEO cannot do is force people to buy your products. Search engines don’t have wallets. Search engines will not buy your products – but people will. You need to write for them – not for the search engines. Find ways to enrich your content with keywords, but keep it readable by human beings. Avoid practices like keyword stuffing, auto generated content, and gibberish. It may take a little longer to get that ranking you want, but along the way you will be appealing to humans, not machines, and it is the humans that you need to reach first and foremost.

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Originally posted 2008-11-03 05:50:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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