Building a blog and enjoy successful blogging might seem, at times, like a Mission Impossible.

There are so many blogs being created daily that the blogosphere is a crowded space online. The opportunities to win and keep profitable audience attention are dwindling.

But hope is not lost – and creating a successful blog is quite straightforward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the crucial considerations in maintaining a winning blog presence as part of your social media strategy is that of posts.

Uploading consistent blog content as part of an integrated social media strategy is vital – but not as vital as the type of blog posts you’re writing for your audience.

As with everything, successful blogging demands a solid, strong and structured approach for long-term social media engagement. This extends to the types of blog posts you create, too.

Give variety, vivacity and verve in your blogging. Show experience, give industry tips and niche expertise. And do it freely.

For me, the five main types of blog posts are:

* Informative

An effective blog post always gives information, of some kind or another. This might be a comment or opinion on a topic. It might be insight based upon your area of commercial expertise. It might be ways to find useful sources for saving money or time. But, ultimately, a good blog post must contain useful information, packaged in an accessible way – like this example.

* Narrative

An effective blog post type could be a narrative-based one. This shares an experience, in a story-type form, taking the reader through the journey with you. They share your experience and learn valuable lessons from it. A narrative blog post can be incredibly effective in garnishing social media engagement – as this example clearly highlights.

* Instructive

An effective blog post type can be an instructive, or ‘How To’ blog. These are usually well-received, and well-shared, by audiences. Effective business blogging is all about opening up, sharing information, providing a useful consistent online resource. Let them step inside your way of delivering business. How To blog posts like this one are a must for successful blogging.

* Emotive

An effective blog post type can let the readers into your thoughts, feelings, opinions and emotions. Showing your human side via blogging is critically important – audiences want to connect, to empathise, to feel a part of a shared experience. Our basic human need is that of connection. Here’s a good example of an emotive blog post type which was positively received online.

* Number five – it’s all about you

An effective blog post should be personal, based on your unique experiences, opinions and – basically – full of your voice. Not a carbon copy of your biggest commercial competitor. Your voice, your style, your blog. I always keep it really simple: blog it as I’d say it. A good example of this type of blog post is here.