122: Turning a Sh*t Blog into a Good Blog (part 2)

Summary

The episode focuses on improving blog content by shifting the focus from self-promotion to providing value to readers. Meredith’s husband suggests changing the perspective of a blog from selling services to offering helpful information or personal stories. This approach engages readers, offers practical resources, and builds trust. For website owners, creating blogs that serve as resources rather than direct sales pitches can better attract and engage potential clients.

How to Create Blogs That Help, Not Sell

Creating effective blogs is an essential part of building a strong online presence, but many business owners make the mistake of turning their blogs into sales pitches. While it’s important to promote your services, blogs should focus on providing value to readers first. As discussed in the podcast, blogs that prioritize helping rather than selling are far more engaging and effective in the long run. Let's explore how you can adjust your blogging strategy to create content that serves your audience and drives more meaningful engagement.

Shift the Focus from Selling to Helping

A common pitfall for many business owners is using their blog as a platform to push their services. Meredith’s husband points out that readers don’t want to be sold to when they’re looking for helpful information. Instead of writing a post about why someone should hire you, consider offering advice or tips that can genuinely help them.

For example, instead of writing a blog titled "Why You Should Hire a Children’s Photographer," you could create a post offering practical advice on "How to Prepare Your Child for a Successful Photoshoot" or "What to Wear for Family Photos." This content is not only helpful for your audience but also demonstrates your expertise in a subtle, trust-building way.

The Power of Personal Stories

Personal stories can be a powerful tool to connect with readers on an emotional level. In Meredith's case, shifting her blog to include a personal story about her father’s cherished baby photos of her created an instant connection with the reader. Sharing personal anecdotes allows you to highlight the importance of your services without directly telling people to buy from you.

When readers feel emotionally engaged, they’re more likely to continue reading, share the content, and consider your services when they’re ready. It’s an indirect yet effective way to demonstrate the value of your work through storytelling.

Practical Tips to Enhance Your Blog

In addition to shifting the focus from selling to helping, Meredith’s husband suggests several ways to make your blog more engaging and informative. Here are a few actionable tips you can implement to enhance your blog:

• Change the Perspective: Rewrite the blog from the reader’s point of view rather than your own. How can you offer value to your audience?

• Use Case Studies: Instead of just telling people why they should hire you, provide real-life examples or case studies that showcase the benefits of your services.

• Add Useful Resources: Think about what your readers might be searching for. Can you create a resource that helps them answer common questions, like what to wear for a photoshoot or how to choose the right photographer?

• Include Image Captions and Alt Text: If you feature images in your blog, use relevant captions and alt text. This not only provides context for the images but also improves your blog’s accessibility and SEO.

• Call to Action: While a blog shouldn’t be a hard sales pitch, include a subtle call to action at the end. Instead of pushing for a sale, offer something the reader can do next, like trying a new tip or sharing their favorite photo.

Build Trust Through Value-Driven Content

Your blog is an opportunity to build trust with your audience by showing that you care about their needs. Whether you’re offering tips, sharing a personal story, or providing a useful resource, the goal should always be to help first and sell later. When your blog offers genuine value, readers are more likely to engage with your content, share it, and ultimately choose your services.

By focusing on helping, not selling, you can create a blog that resonates with your audience and builds long-lasting relationships.

Resources

Meredith’s husband mentioned a link to the ultimate blog checklist and a video demonstration for improving blog content. You can find these helpful resources in the "Resources" section below the episode.