When you run a race your goal is to cross the finish line. Then what? It’s time to set another goal. If you just started training, your goal might be a 5K. If you ran a half marathon you might be ready to conquer a marathon. Wherever you are in the process of training you track your progress and set attainable goals along the way. You won’t be able to run those 26.2 miles by sprinting each days You must build your endurance. Blogging is kind of like that. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some internet marketing tips to keep your blogging eye on the finish line.
This is the final post in our series “Blogging: The Lifeline of Your Internet Marketing Strategy.” If you want to get up to speed check out these articles:
Internet Marketing Tips: Don’t Fool Yourself Into Thinking Your Blog is in Shape
How an Internet Marketing Blogging Strategy Works
Internet Marketing Tips for Blog Creation: Flex Your Writing Muscles
Internet Marketing Tips: Basics of a Well-Balanced Blog Article
The Importance of Evaluation
Each time you run a race you are trying for a personal best. If you aren’t happy with your results then you take the time to evaluate your efforts. The same is true for blogging. If you aren’t happy with the results you are getting, then you must take a step back and evaluate what you need to change. The best way to do this is through a tracking software. Most of the common blog platforms have something like this. Some are more sophisticated than others, but they can give you a general idea of which blog posts are performing well.
For example, we use HubSpot here at Half a Bubble Out and through the page performance tool I can see that our top performing blog post was SEO Basics: How to Add Keywords to a Website and that is was sent on a Friday at 2 a.m. Why does this matter? Well, it tells us that it's a popular topic and that we should write more blogs about SEO and keywords. It also tells us that Fridays at 2 a.m. may be an optimal time to send out blog posts. It gives us a point of reference.
Continue to Raise Your Competence Level
If you’re a beginner getting ready to run your first 5K you probably have a decent pair of running shoes and a water bottle. As you run more races and longer distances you get better running shoes and learn new training techniques that make you faster and stronger. You’re increasing your running competence level. The same will be true for your blogging. As you continue to train yourself on how to blog effectively and develop good habits you’ll take your writing competence to the next level.
I can personally attest for this. I really began learning about blogging 2 1/2 years ago. It used to take me half a day to write a blog post. Now I can knock one out in an hour if I need to (depending on the topic of course). Because I’ve developed good habits and continued to learn new techniques, I’ve trained myself to be a better blogger.
Maintain a Healthy Blog
You may not ever reach an actual finish line – because as long as internet marketing is around your blogging efforts will never be done – but you will reach milestones along the way. The key is to maintain a healthy blog by setting achievable goals, writing frequently and consistently, using good keywords, paying attention to technical components that matter to Google and your readers, and evaluate and change course if you need to.
Blogging is the lifeline of your internet marketing strategy. Keep your eye on the finish line and keep writing.
If you’d like more information about developing a holistic internet marketing strategy, download our free offer below.
