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The Truth About Writing Original Blog Content

The Truth About Writing Original Blog Content - Halona Black Freelance Writer & Healthy Brand Expert info@HalonaBlack.comEntrepreneurs often work very long hours — particularly in the beginning stages of their business. You find yourself not only responsible for serving your customers, but all the stuff that goes on in the back office as well. You are doing the marketing, the accounting, you’re going to network events, etc. The work never ends. As a result, you may be thinking about shortcuts that will help you to get more done in less time. Marketing is often one of those things that can be systemized to save you time.

Your blog is a marketing tool that many healthy brands either love or hate. If you’re a prolific writer, blogging may be right up your alley. Non-writers would rather scoop their own eyeballs out with a melon baller than to write something that other people will read.

Blogging is an important marketing activity because it builds credibility and it helps potential paying customers find you during online searches. However, as an entrepreneur building your healthy brand, you may feel like using pre-written content — or PLR (private label rights) content — is the way to go.

What is PLR content?

PLR content is pre-written blog posts or articles that can be sold to business owners to use on their blog. The same content can be bought by anyone who has the money to pay for it. It’s sort of like going to Macy’s to shop for a blouse. You may purchase a blouse you like, however it doesn’t mean you have exclusive rights to that blouse. Others are free to purchase a copy of that same blouse in Macy’s stores all over the world.

Just say no to pre-written content

When it comes to content for your blog, you want to make sure that the content you use is original. Why? For starters, one of the purposes of a blog is to differentiate you from others who may do similar work as you. Second, each blog post you write is another opportunity for search engines to rank you using certain keywords and phrases. The better quality of the content, the higher your chances of being ranked on the first few pages of Google’s search function. How will Google know that your blog posts on liver detoxification are quality if you and 100 other coaches used the exact same blog posts?

If you absolutely need to use PLR content for your blog, you can use it to inspire your own original blog posts. Don’t just copy and paste the material and slap your name on it.

Alternatives to PLR content

My advice is to avoid PLR content for your blog at all costs. If you really want to have a successful blog, you have to make the space blogging in your marketing calendar. Some tips to help you find the time to blog are:

  1. Decide how often you want to blog. Once per week? Five times per week? What matters most is that you are consistent.
  2. Look for guest bloggers. If your blog has a bit of a following, you may be able to attract quality guest bloggers who can write relevant content for you during the times you are too busy to write something for yourself.
  3. Hire someone to write for you. Partner with a profesional writer who knows you and your business.

Have you ever used PLR content on your blog? What would make blogging on a regular basis easier for you?

 

 

 

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3 Keys to Writing Quality Blog Content for Your Healthy Brand

3 Keys to Writing Quality Blog Content for Your Healthy Brand - Halona Black, Healthy Brand Expert info@HalonaBlack.comEvery healthy brand needs a blog to build a relationship with their customers. However you want to make sure you build your blog content strategically. I often peruse the blogs of healthy brands, many of which feel more like ghost towns rather than a place I want to hang out and learn more about your product or services. So how do you get your customers, and future customers, to notice your content in the first place? Here are 3 keys to get your health brand blog content started in the right direction.

#1 Answer your customers’ questions

Are you talking to your customers or clients on a regular basis? If you’re not, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to create new ideas for blog content. What questions do you get over and over again? Chances are that if your customers are asking those questions, there are other potential customers in the world who have the same questions. Do them all a favor by turning their questions into a series of blog posts.

If you care at all about SEO, or search engine optimization, you may have noticed that Google has made yet another update to their search algorithm. The latest Google update called Hummingbird supports searchers with finding the answers to their questions using natural language. This is great for you if you follow this ESSENTIAL TIP to writing a blog post that your customers will read. If you take the time to simply answer your customers questions, you will ALWAYS be in Google’s good graces.

#2 Use effective blog post titles

The titles of your blog posts should give your readers a clue about what the post is about. Why? Think about how much information you scan on a daily basis. This includes your emails, your favorite websites, Facebook posts, your Twitter feed, etc. What do you tend to click on? You are more than likely going to click on the headline that gives you a clue about what the post is about. Take a look at the headline for this post, for example: 3 Keys to Writing Quality Blog Content for Your Healthy Brand. I identified the following information:

  1. What am I giving away? —> 3 tips (simple and easy to digest)
  2. What is the subject of the post? —> writing quality blog content
  3. Who is the audience? —> healthy brands

Make life for your readers a lot easier by being as clear as possible with your titles. If they don’t click on your post right away, they will at the very least share it with others via social media to those who may be part of your target audience as well.

#3 Don’t write to go viral, write for your customers {TWEET THIS!}

New bloggers and brands put way too much pressure on themselves trying to create content marketing campaigns that will go viral. Viral means that your content gets shared across social media thousands, if not millions, of times, in a very short span of time — very similar to how a flu virus spreads. You’ve seen them: wacky wedding proposals, babies that dance, stupid animal stunts, etc. While you definitely want your posts to be seen and read, you want your content to be seen by the right people — namely people who can’t wait to buy your products and services. So do yourself and your customers a favor and write exclusively for your audience.

Do you have questions about writing good blog content for your healthy brand? Write your questions in the comments below.