If you are responsible for creating content for the company website, you will be oh-so familiar with the challenge of writing regular blog posts.

You may start the week with good intentions, but things don’t always go according to plan.

Time constraints, a lack of original ideas and frustration at the time it takes to write anything of value, can hamper efforts to produce quality content that adds value for the reader.

Perhaps it’s reached a stage where you are living in fear of your manager noticing that the blog has not been updated since Jan 2023, or worse still, Jan 2022!

Don’t despair, help is on hand…

If you are someone who doesn’t naturally enjoy writing or you are constantly pushed for time, here are our top seven hacks for blogging success:

1. Get yourself organised

This might sound obvious, but the key to success is all in the prep.

Creating a structure to work from is all important and there are plenty of free blog planners available online to help with that.

Set time aside to plan ahead and determine things like key topics for the next six months; brainstorm ideas with colleagues from across the business; identify significant dates; set goals; and decide how to promote the blog via other platforms. It will soon pay off with a focus for moving forward and more control over the outcome.

2. Refreshing existing content

It’s not always necessary to write fresh content from scratch each time a new post is needed. It’s worth looking back through the archives to find material that can be updated and reused.

For example, are there any new developments or advice on a topic you’ve already written about?

Use new images or videos, additional quotes from key personnel and updated project info to refresh the material and create a new angle or hook so the post can be republished.

3. Repurposing materials

Another way to make the job easier is to present existing material in a new format, thereby expanding its reach and lifespan.

Let’s be clear. We’re not talking about copying and pasting material from one platform to the next. Content must be tailored for different channels as each platform has its own audience and what works on one may not be appropriate for another.

It’s likely, for example, that a script created for a video or podcast which follows a logical structure can be turned into a blog post without too much editing.

Or a white paper or ‘ think piece’ written for a conference or infographic created for social media can be distilled down into bite size content for a blog.

4. Re-think the format

The prospect of pulling together at least 500-750 words for a SEO friendly blog post can seem quite daunting when up against the clock. So why not approach it in another way.

Think about the alternatives to long form copy such as lists, Q&As, FAQs, short news items which still provide benefit and fill a gap in the blogging calendar as long as the content adds value for the reader.

5. For days when you are on a roll…

Do you get days when the words just seem to flow? You’re on a roll and nothing can stop you?

That’s the time to knuckle down and pull a few posts together to store on file to use as and when you need them. Make it easier by researching a chosen topic and creating several posts, each one focusing on a different angle. These can be linked together as part of a series and will help market positioning over time.

6. Invite guest bloggers

Take the pressure off and add a new perspective by inviting guest authors to contribute to your blog. Choose credible experts, industry names, key customers or suppliers etc who are well
known in the sector.

Pick a topic or let the contributor choose their own and provide some guidelines such as deadline, word count, preferred images, or video clips etc. to simplify the process.

7. Use external help

If all else fails seek external help!

Why not let Wordbox manage the blogging for you?

We have over 20 years of experience in the food and drink industry, so we have a lot of knowledge to draw on. We offer various blog packages for SMEs, with differing price points according to the volume of content provided.

Call today to find out how we can help get your blogging back on track