Having a blog is considered a definite advantage when it comes to keeping your author profile high; many writers use a blog as their author platform, an approach which gives more credence and authority than a few lines on Amazon’s author profile page. It can be difficult to know what to do to make your brand stand out from the rest of the writers who also realise the value of a well-written blog, but there are a few things you can do to make your blog a winner.
When starting your next post, ask yourself this question: How can I include the seven Es?
• ENGAGEMENT
You should always be looking to connect and involve your audience with the subject you are writing about, not only in your blog but also in your mailings out to your list. Adopt a conversational tone to your writing; ask questions of your readers so they feel that you value their opinions and advice. Try to always relate to your audience and make yourself approachable.
• EMOTION
Blogs aren’t the same as informative web pages; if you are a reader of a blog you don’t just want robotically delivered information that offers no connection to the writer; you are more likely looking for a more human voice that offers more than just the facts. Sure, you want the facts about the particular subject which interests you, but you also want a degree of emotion behind the words. If you’re looking for information on writing your first eBook, you can relate far more to the person who is very obviously blogging from a place of passion and emotion. Put yourself in the place of your reader and make the emotional connection.
• EXPERIENCE
As an author, you need to be offering your experience to your audience. Likely they have found your blog because they have been searching for ways to gain the kind of experience you have to offer, so although readers will appreciate the conversational tone you employ, they also want to know what you know. Always include some anecdotal snippets about your own journey and don’t always make the mistake of assuming readers will already know. For example, you could include a line or two about how you found the best WordPress theme for your blog and which plug-ins you use the most. It demonstrates that you have the experience to merit your authority.
• EDUCATION
Obviously the core of why your audience came to you in the first place; they want knowledge. You need to be able to offer educational information which your readers can learn from and use in their own endeavours. It’s quite a daunting task to write in order to educate, particularly when you are painfully aware that you don’t have all the answers yourself. The trick is to remember that for everyone who is on the same journey as you, there will be many people who are ahead of you and many people who are behind you. You are in the perfect position to educate those who want to be where you are now, and your own education can be learnt from those ahead of you. Keep passing that information down the line.
• ENCOURAGEMENT
If you can motivate your audience to take action towards their goals, not only will they be inspired by your words but they will also return again and again for more encouragement. Many writers don’t have much of a support network around them so they turn to like-minded individuals, for example: YOU. Your blog should offer encouragement and support for those trying to walk the same path.
• ENTHUSIASM
If you’re trying to engage your audience you need to have your enthusiasm jumping off the page. If you don’t have a spark of passion, your writing will be stilted. However much you feel you need to go through the motions of writing a blog, you also need to recognise that enthusiasm keeps your writing flowing and alive. Read back through it with a reader’s eye and see if you feel excited or just bored.
• EXCELLENCE
Without excellence you don’t have a blog that readers will return to. You need to produce the best quality articles possible and keep the standard of writing high. Writers will be judged by their writing and if that comes across as mediocre, then your audience will be less inclined to read any more of your work. Let your blog be the best advert for your wider work.
Get into the habit of checking your blog posts for the seven Es before you press ‘Publish’. Taking care to add each of the Es will ensure that you give your readers value with every post you publish, and that will mean a lower bounce rate and a more engaged audience. Good luck!
