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Is Blogging Dead? 

Is Blogging Dead? 

Is blogging dead? This is an inevitable question which comes up time and time again every year but the swift answer is NO! 

Blogging is absolutely still relevant in 2022! 

However, the practice of blogging is everchanging and getting your blogs seen by an audience may be harder than ever. 

Blogging is still a totally viable digital marketing strategy in 2022 and beyond, which is why we are going to share with you our 5 top tips on how to ensure your blog can thrive in 2022… 

Share Your Blogs 

Whilst blogging will primarily occur on your website, other platforms can grow your audience and create more engagement with your blogs. 

Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and others can drastically improve your popularity. Which platform you choose will depend on your content and your audience. If your content is formal and business-focused then LinkedIn will be the spot for you, whereas if you write informal and chatty stories or guides then YouTube could be your friend. 

The best way to share your content to these sites is through repurposing. 

Repurposing is the act of using content you already have and creating something new with it. 

You can repurpose your content by: 

  • Creating a video: This could be of yourself talking about your content or an infographic video showing a how-to guide. 
  • Social media posts: If you have written a blog then you will have lots of written content ready and available. Use a website like Canva to create visually appealing text posts using the most important parts of your content. Use more content to create an appealing caption and link out to your blog. 

If you are not confident appearing visually in person, don’t worry! You can create videos and social media posts anonymously without your face or, if you are posting as a business, you can find another employee who is willing to be involved! 

In 2022, your blog will not be found as easily as in the past therefore you need to make yourself stand out more especially when you are just getting started. 

Create Visual Content 

People love visual content and it is a great addition to your blogs to keep your audience engaged. 

When most people find your blog, they will not have searched for your website specifically and have no prior connection to your blog. This means that you need to keep them interested and engaged from the outset. 

Using videos and images, you can break up your text into more manageable chunks and brighten up your page. 

When including images on your page, you need to include ‘Alt Text’. For those of you who do not know that that is, alt text is the writing which will be displayed in place of an image if the image fails to load or to help visually impaired users. 

Your alt text should describe the image clearly and in detail for your audience. 

Update Old Content 

If you have had a blog for a period of time then it is common to have old content which may now be out of date or in need of a refresh. 

Taking time to update this content can be just as useful as creating new content. As you create blogs, you will learn skills, develop your writing style and the world will change. 

Giving your blogs a (metaphorical) facelift can be all you need, here are a few tips to look out for in your old blogs: 

  • Outdated statistics. If you have outdated statistics from years ago then your audience will presume the rest of the content is outdated. Make sure to update your statistics often even if this means that you need to update the rest of the content of the blog.  
  • Broken links. If your blog links out to other sources, websites, brands or products then you should check that these are all functioning and in use. If any of your links are broken then you should change these. Search for other links that can serve the same purpose to avoid reader disappointment. 
  • Outdated strategies. If your blog is business-related or notes the best practices in an industry then it is important that this is current and accurate information. 

Use Email Marketing to Promote Your Blog 

Once your blog is reaching an audience, you need a way to keep them connected and engaged with your blogs even when they aren’t reading them. 

Creating an email marketing strategy for your readers and attaching a  button/link to your blogs ensures they can be notified every time you post a new blog. 

Using a platform such as Mailerlite allows you to easily create email campaigns with a drag-and-drop editor. This means that you can create your own emails even with no prior experience or knowledge. 

The main items you should include in your emails are: 

  • A catchy title 
  • An intriguing subject line 
  • CTA’s. These can be in the form of links in the text or interactive buttons 
  • High-quality images 

Make Your Website User-Friendly 

So far, all of our tips have been directed towards the content of your blog and sharing it with new audiences however this tip is regarding your website. 

Having amazing content is great however you need your readers to be able to access your blog easily. 

How many times have you been on a website and immediately left because it was taking too long to load? Or because on your mobile phone, the text and images didn’t fit on your screen properly? 

Most readers are now searching on their mobile which means that your blog not only needs to be optimised on desktops, but also for phones. Below are a few things to consider when making your website user-friendly: 

  • Ensure quick loading times 
  • Simple website navigation 
  • Display social media icons 
  • Use a chatbot 
  • Use high-quality images 

So, is blogging dead? No! By using these 5 tips, you can keep your blog relevant and thriving in 2022. 

Do you need help creating your own blog in 2022? Look no further… 

We love creating articles (blogs), posts, quotes, and top-notch content to deliver to your audience through your website, email campaigns, and social media. 

We work with you to develop a content strategy which will also be researched in line with our SEO service to ensure we maximise the reach and engage the right people, your ideal clients. 

Get in touch now to find out how CREATIVE in TiME can help you. 

Blogging with WordPress

Blogging with WordPress

Do you want to start a blog? Blogging with WordPress is great but it can be scary to start especially if you are not technically minded. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone, and many people have the same fear, but it can be so simple. 

If you want to start a blog, then we would recommend using WordPress. No scary coding or jargon here. Whether you are a beginner or a blogging aficionado looking for a new platform, WordPress can be as simple or complicated as you would like to make it. 

Keep reading to find out more about WordPress, tips on how to write a blog and how to upload your very own blog! 

What is WordPress? 

WordPress is the simplest, most popular way to create your own website or blog! 

Yes, really! In fact, WordPress powers over 43.3% of all the websites on the Internet. That means that more than one in four websites that you visit are likely powered by WordPress. 

The best thing about it is that WordPress makes building a website accessible to anyone – even people who aren’t developers. 

You can use WordPress to make all kinds of websites and blogs. You may primarily want to start blogging with WordPress, but if you are a business owner then you can also create:  

  • Business websites 
  • eCommerce stores 
  • Blogs 
  • Portfolios 
  • Social networks 
  • Membership sites 
  • …and pretty much anything else you are looking for! 

There are two forms of WordPress which you need to know the difference between. 

  • WordPress.org, which is commonly called self-hosted WordPress, is the free, open-source WordPress software that you can install on your own web host to create a website that’s 100% yours. 
  • WordPress.com is a for-profit, paid service that is powered by the WordPress.org software. It’s simple to use, but you don’t have as much flexibility in comparison.  

When discussing WordPress, people usually refer to the self-hosted WordPress and if you would like to truly own your own website then it will be the best option for you. 

Setting Up Your Blog 

Firstly, before you can start blogging, you need to set up your blogging platform. We recommend using WordPress.org for your blog. 

All you need to set up your blog is a domain name and web hosting! 

A domain name is what people type to get to your website. It’s your website’s address on the internet. Think google.com or creativeintime.com 

Web hosting is where your website files live. It’s like you’re a house for your website on the internet. Every website NEEDS web hosting. 

We would recommend using Bluehost as your hosting provider as it is one of the oldest web hosting companies on the internet and is recommended by WordPress itself! Let us explain how to set up your Bluehost: 

  1. Open up Bluehost in another tab 
  1. Click the ‘Host Your Site’ button 
  1. Choose your plan (we would recommend the basic plan if you only need one site and are a beginner) 
  1. Enter your domain name 
  1. Fill in required information to create your account 
  1. Confirm how long you want your hosting to be 
  1. Continue to payment 
  1. And done! 

To connect your Bluehost to WordPress, you need to click the tab called ‘marketplace’ and follow it to one-click installs. You need to click install on the WordPress product and select your site name and tagline, and then select your domain name. 

Once WordPress has been installed, you’ll be notified by BlueHost, along with your installation details, username, password, and the option to login to your new WordPress website straight away. Go login to see what your website looks like so far. 

When you have logged in, WordPress will ask if you need help setting up your website, you can select yes or no depending on if you need help. Regardless of your choice, once you are ready to launch your website, simply select ‘Bluehost’ from your navigation bar and click ‘launch’. 

How To Write a Blog 

Blogging is a great way to spread information and there are a few components which you need: 

  • Title: Tell the reader WHAT they are going to read. Avoid clickbait or vague titles as these will cause your readers to bounce off your content, sending bad signals to Google. 
  • Introduction: Introduce the blog, what is it about? What can readers expect to learn? Don’t be afraid to show your personality! 
  • Background Information: Include/explain any information that may be needed before answering the question. Imagine your mum is reading your content, would she understand what you are talking about without any context? Use this section of a blog to explain the details as if this is the first time your reader is hearing about this topic (which it very well could be!). 
  • Answer the Question: Answer the question clearly and honestly. You can voice an opinion however present the facts clearly and without bias.  
  • Outro: Include links to any relevant products, to your shop, your social media accounts or to other related blogs. ALWAYS link to something. Explain what your blog/business is about and why people should keep up to date with your latest content. 

We recommend blogging weekly to build up traction and get ranking on Google. Blogging is a sure-fire way to keep your website fresh and inviting, it keeps your website active and keeps people on your website for longer. A quality blog gives other sites a reason to link back to your site which can build trust. 

Uploading Your Blog 

Once you have written a blog, you need to get it live on your website. To write a blog post, click on ‘Posts’ and then ‘Add New’ on your WordPress dashboard. 

You will see an editor area where you can write your first blog post! 

You need to transfer your blog information onto WordPress and then there are many extras which you can add in such as: 

  • Subheadings 
  • Images 
  • Bullet points 
  • Links 
  • Categories 

And more! 

Once you are done, you can click the preview button at the top right to see how your blog will look and then click publish when you are ready for it to go LIVE! 

And just like that, you have a blog live! Keep posting and marketing your blogs to get readers and rank higher on Google. 

If you think blogging will benefit your business (which it totally would) but you aren’t sure that you can write quality blogs then get in touch now. Everyone knows content is king. From Blogging with WordPress to Infographics and Case Studies, we will get your business noticed. 

Strategies for Content Marketing in 2023

Strategies for Content Marketing in 2023

Picture this, you have a business (old or new), and you are ready to smash your target market but have you considered your content marketing strategy? 

Your strategy, which worked in 2020, may have been successful then, but the likelihood is that it will not be successful in 2023. Traditional marketing methods of the past are becoming less desirable, irrelevant paid ads are a great example of this.  

People want to search for solutions as and when they need to. This is where content marketing is king, and creating an effective strategy can leave you victorious. 

So, what is content marketing and why does your business need an effective strategy? 

What is Content Marketing? 

Content marketing is a form of marketing that involves creating and sharing online content such as blogs. The objective of content marketing is not to explicitly promote your brand but to pique interest in your services/products and build your authority on the topic. 

When people consistently notice your content being informative and worthwhile, your business will be at the top of their minds when they need to buy what you sell. 

Now, you may be thinking, “Great!” but still be wondering what content marketing actually entails. 

Different Types of Content Marketing 

There are many forms of content marketing but that does not mean your business needs to utilise every single one to be effective. You need to know which forms of content marketing are appropriate for your business, audience and products. 

To help you along this journey, let’s look at the most common and effective forms of content marketing which you may wish to implement for your business. 

Blogging  

When you think of content marketing, I’m sure the first thing that came to mind was blogging, and for good reason, blog posts are the most popular form of content marketing and the easiest to start with. 

All you need to create blog posts is a website and content. 

Blogging is an ever-growing market and the need for information from the internet is constantly increasing. There are currently over 600 million blogs in the world! 

Well-written blogs are key for both your business and your users. For you, they provide more traffic to your website, increased lead generation and build site authority. For your users, they provide useful information, create trust and become a source of information in the future. 

The main reason businesses avoid blogging is because they don’t know where or how to start. If you want to find out how to start blogging in 2023, just click here

Video content 

Video content is the up-and-coming new kid on the block in terms of content marketing. It has swiftly become one of the most popular forms of content marketing, and that is down to one platform, YouTube. 

Where blog posts can often lack creativity and engagement, videos soar and thrive on their interactivity and ease of distributing information.  

Some of the best ways to use video in content marketing are: 

  • Behind-the-scenes videos: people love seeing the people behind the brand. It allows for a human connection and shows authenticity. Customers get to experience your brand and may view it in a new light, especially if you are a small business. 
  • Demonstrations: whether your product is simple or complicated, has two steps or 20, you can bet someone out there needs help using it for the first time! These should be descriptive, informative and clear- imagine you are explaining it to your mum. Would she understand it? 
  • Customer Testimonials: never underestimate the power of a review. Videos of customers are high-quality pieces of content marketing that you can use on all platforms. 

Podcasts 

Following the use of video, another form of content marketing is podcasts. 

Podcasts have the opposite pull than videos as they are solely focused on audio instead of visible information. 

A podcast is the most convenient form of content marketing, all you need to do is press play and listen! This allows your listeners to multi-task whilst listening especially since 69% of podcast listeners use a mobile device to listen. This can be especially important if you are marketing your product to another business, busy people need accessible information otherwise they won’t listen. 

Podcasts are also a vital way in which you can become a thought leader in your industry and build credibility in your business. If you are providing valuable content which helps or educates your listeners, then they will begin to think of you and your business as an expert in the field. 

Try answering customer questions, problem-solving, discussing how the product is made, any industry news which could be relevant, having guests on your podcast to bring in new listeners, and making sure your podcast is engaging and entertaining. 

Infographics 

Infographics are another engaging form of content marketing due to their eye-catching and fun nature. 

This makes them great to use in all forms of content such as the previously mentioned blogs and videos. Being able to repurpose your content is key to success, spreading it to all platforms is vital to reaching the widest audience. 

Infographics have another benefit…they make you look smart! Sharing content that is both colourful, valuable and informative is a sure-fire way to gain interest from other people in your industry, especially on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. 

They are also a great way to show tangible data in a digestible way that people can understand without technical knowledge. Similarly, they can be a game-changer in niches that could be called “boring” as they capture and retain user attention. 

Why is Content Marketing Important? 

We have just explained to you the most prominent forms of content marketing to begin your journey, but why is it important? 

Content marketing is a vital form of marketing, did you know that 70% of marketers actively invest in content marketing? This is because, in comparison to other forms of digital marketing, it has a greater return on investment (ROI) in the long run, exactly what you want to hear! 

Content marketing has many benefits for you and your customers, let us tell you some now: 

  • Improve ranking in search engine results (SEO) 
  • Builds a community 
  • Builds customer relationships 
  • Helps with lead conversion 
  • Raises brand awareness 

So, does content marketing sound like it could benefit your business? Depending on your business, you may wish to implement one of these forms of content marketing or all of them! There is no right or wrong amount as long as they are relevant to your business. 

If you want to start but need some expert help to get you off on the right foot, get in touch now!