Reading in a Different Niche
Content Marketing – Reading in a Different Niche
I do quite a bit of reading online and as you may imagine much of this reading is reading a blog. I am always looking for new ideas so I read blogs not necessarily in my area of expertise.
This results in me seeing some creative work and a different approach and style from what I see from the people writing in my niche.
I have been noticing some good blogging work and will highlight some observations in this post.
I hope that it will provide you with some insights and some ideas on how to create delightful content for your readers. Remember – to delight with your content is always the objective.
Here are some types of blogs that I have seen with great content.
Informative Blogs: We commend the time it must take to research and write informative blogs. Some cover topics in history or current events; others relate detailed information on hobbies, techniques or procedures. An information-based blog if done well adds some real value. Also, how-to articles are a great way to increase readership.
Company Blogs: Companies are beginning to see the benefit of projecting a more “human” or “approachable” content on their website. If you can educate and do so in an informal manner then your readers will appreciate the approach. We are sometimes tasked when we visit a company website to do some heavy reading. A blog is more informal and can bring forth the personalities of real company employees.
Explain a problem, present a solution and add some personality – now that’s content marketing value!
Cultural Introspectives: Some people are using their blogs to help others understand their culture, history and social views, in a hope that understanding will inspire improved global relations and altruistic action. If you service people from multiple countries (and the Internet makes this very possible) then consider the perspective of people from other countries and use this in your blogging. Your reader from outside your country will certainly appreciate this and your in-country readers will also appreciate the new perspective.
Pioneering Ideas: Use your blog to get a new idea out in front of people. You can use your readers as test cases for new ideas and new products. Your regular readers will appreciate the advance notice and appreciate you getting them involved. You can do some important test marketing by doing this. You might even be able to get a bit of a buzz going about your new idea.
Creative Rants: From time to time I read a rant. There are enough of them out there. They best ones make a point and are entertaining at the same time. You can add value with a rant if you also take some time to make it funny. Do not bog down your readers with some heavy complaint. You can rant and be humorous at the same time with a little extra effort.
Niche Blogging: This is one of my favorite blog types. Blogs are inexpensive to set up. They are readily available. A modern search engine is so good that they will be able to find a blog on a niche or even obscure topic. This means that a niche or obscure blog will find readers. The good thing about writing on a niche topic is that niche readers are also very passionate about the topic. You may build a nice niche following! Niche content is very appealing to the targeted niche. It often delights them.
Family Blogs: Staying in touch is hard and there are always schedule conflicts. Some families use a blog to share family news and pictures and the blog is available to the entire family anytime of day. This may not have commercial value but it is a great idea for a family that is not in close proximity.
Creative Writing: Getting published is hard; publishing a book takes a long time and comes with challenges. Some writers are skipping the traditional publishing route and just writing. Blogs can get a writers work out to the world in a fast and hassle free manner. I have found many well–composed and well written blog posts from some enjoyable and writers. Now that’s great content!
As a special note and as a head’s up look in to the new ranking that Google may soon implement. It is called author rank. If you are a writer then you will probably want to get this set up. I will post something on this soon.
Content Marketing – Blogging
I hope that you venture out a bit more from your normal reading sources and see what’s out there. You will find some materials that are not so good for sure but I am also certain that you will find some delightful content that will help you or entertain you.
If you want to get started with your own blog then I invite you to download our Blog Initiation Questionnaire. It will help you to get started thinking about your blog and the wonderful high-quality content that you can create. Give some thought to how you can delight your visitors with some great content marketing.
About Gary Horsman