There are many ways to get new readers to your blog: catchy titles, retweets from A-list bloggers, a great comment on another blog…
However, getting your new readers to STAY and COME BACK is an entirely different issue.
I’ve been blogging long enough now to realize that whatever niche you are in, there are only 2 cornerstone topics that would keep your readers consistently coming back for more.
What Are the Two Cornerstone Topics?
1. Blog about how to make money.
2. Blog about how to save money.
I know sounds pretty basic, but it’s the truth.
Most people who read internet marketing blogs like Technshare and Traffic Generation Cafe do it with one goal in mind: they want to learn how to build a better online or offline business.
Your Opinion Doesn’t Matter
That’s right.
We are all short on time and attention span. We don’t want to read your big words and unrelated stories. We don’t want to have to dig through 1000+ word posts to find a gem or two.
We want precise, quick, and executable tips on how to make our business better TODAY, right NOW.
We want to come to your blog and see immediately how we can benefit from your blog.
It’s All About Benefits
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the difference between “features” and “benefits“.
Telling your blog reader: “I can teach you how to increase your blog traffic” is a feature.
However, telling your blog reader: “I can teach you how to increase your blog traffic, so that you can make more sales and take your wife on that cruise you always wanted to go to” is a benefit.
Show your readers how reading your blog can get them a step or two closer to their dreams is what will keep your readers coming for more.
Your Copywriting Assignment
Before you start writing your next blog post or better yet pick the topic for your next post, ask yourself these questions:
- Will this post teach my reader how to make money or save money?
- What practical benefit will they get out of reading this post?
- What angle would I choose to approach the topic to give my reader a prospective they never thought of before?
- What tools can I suggest to my readers to make implementing this strategy easier and more efficient? (that’s where YOUR benefit of writing this post lies)
Make This Work for YOUR Niche
“But Ana, I am not in internet marketing niche! I don’t write about how to blog, how to build links, how to generate more traffic… This surely doesn’t apply to my blog!”
Oh, yeah?
Are you in weight-loss market?
Show your readers how by using your revolutionary system they are bound to get the life with increased productivity, more confidence, better job, better income while saving money over similar weight-loss plans.
Are you a plumber?
Show your readers how properly maintained house plumbing system can increase the proceeds of the house sale and how your fabulous copper pipes will save the owner from a lot of headache and a thinner wallet.
Do I think a lot of plumbers are reading this blog? Most likely not.
However, I just showed you how easy it is to find the right angle in any niche just by flexing that God-given muscle in your head called brain.
QUESTION: What is your niche and how would you apply these topics to what you blog about? Comment to show me that you’re alive!
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Tagged as: Blogging, comment.attract, cornerstone, Make Money, topics, traffic
{ 31 comments }
First off, great title! (sorry, titles on my mind after last post LOL) Definitely got me wanting to find out what they were.
I have to kindly agree to disagree though, because although we are in the make money online niche, not all content and posts should be based around how to make money or save money.
Granted these two topics can account for more than 80% of the content and the REASONING behind that content, regardless of the niche, as you pointed out – but to use the plumbing niche as an example, surely there is more advice, tips and tricks that can be given. Yes these tips ultimately lead to the client/customer/visitor saving money, but that is not the basis of the content being created.
Apart from that, I think you make some really valid points, and in typical Ana style, the post is well articulated and easy to grasp.
Nice, thanks Tzarina
Alex@amazon niche sites´s last [type] ..Niche Site Challenge- Update and Traffic Report
I am going to let this one slide, Alex.
I still respectfully stand by my original idea, especially for online marketing niches, as ours are.
If your blog about nothing else, but making money and saving money, you are going to be alright.
Good to see you back voicing your opinion, ma’ dear; wish you quick and full recovery.
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..From Ebay Link Building to Ebay Traffic Generation- Let the Auction Begin
Excellent tips, make it quick, useful and clean.
Extreme John´s last [type] ..EJ Why Would You Tweet That on Twitter
Thanks for the comment John. Glad you came by to read my blog.
Have a great day,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Lead Conversion Strategies – The Missing Puzzle To YOUR Success
Now this is some unique and useful information! I took a handful of your tips to heart and am about to go back to my blog and reread what I’ve got so far (not much yet, just starting out) and make sure they pass a more critical viewpoint with the advice from this post in mind!
Hello Christopher,
That would be a great idea. Those tips can certainly help you.
All the best,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Lead Conversion Strategies – The Missing Puzzle To YOUR Success
well it’s important to show the right path to readers… thanks for the quick tip…
esoftload´s last [type] ..Why To Have A Blog
That’s absolutely right. That will make them come back to read more of your blogs.
Thanks for coming,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Lead Conversion Strategies – The Missing Puzzle To YOUR Success
Ana,
I love to read your ideas! I’m going to get my brain in gear and write a new post using your tip about how to save money by hiring a petsitter.
Julia
Hi Julia,
I think that will work out fine for you. You might have a different niche, but you can definitely apply the tips from here.
All the best,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Blog Audit Friday- This Is How the Strong Become Stronger
LOL….now I will share this with my plumber friends Ana! Really great questions to ask ourselves before we write again. That is what I love most about your posts…you always answer my questions..even before I can ask!
Lisa@friendly blogger´s last [type] ..One Powerful Untapped Opportunity For Linkbuilding
Hi Lisa,
Glad to hear that I was able to answer your concern through this blog. You can absolutely share it with your friends
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Lead Conversion Strategies – The Missing Puzzle To YOUR Success
Blogging about how to make money is common in blogosphere. I think the second is something different.
Nice article.
Thanks.
Swamykant´s last [type] ..5 Reasons Why You Should Ditch Your Dial-up Connection
Really true Ana. First of all the content was very clear in the article. very nice, thanks for sharing.
Swamykant´s last [type] ..5 Reasons Why You Should Ditch Your Dial-up Connection
Hi Swamykant,
Thanks for coming into my blog. I love sharing tips that I also learned along the the way.
Have a nice day,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Blog Audit Friday- This Is How the Strong Become Stronger
You’re right Ana it does all come down to money. That’s what makes the internet world go round.
I’ve been thinking about why I’m a blogger recently, and although it’s enjoyable I’m also looking for income. So I came up with the “Blogging for Pleasure and Profit” tag line.
I’ve been forgetting the money part recently, and your post is a good reminder to stay focused on the ultimate purpose.
John
John McNally@Blogging for Pleasure and Profit´s last [type] ..TV News and Visual Deception
Hello John,
That’s a nice tag line. It’s like hitting 2 birds with one stone. That is a good one and I believe that blogging must be viewed that way, a fun and enjoyable thing to do and at the same time, something that allows you to earn.
Thanks for the comment,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Lead Conversion Strategies – The Missing Puzzle To YOUR Success
Hey Ana,
Actually blogging about saving money is very underestimated, this is why sometimes If I can I provide coupon codes on my site to help other bloggers save!
Love the Christmas hat!
Dan
Dan Lew @ Affiliate Marketer´s last [type] ..Why Blogging Is No Different Than The TV Show Survivor
I think you are right Dan. Many bloggers are more focused on ways to earn money and totally forget that people also love to know how they can save.
Thanks for coming,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Blog Audit Friday- This Is How the Strong Become Stronger
Hi Ana,
I have to agree with you that money is the thing that has always driven people. Everyone is striving to get a piece of the big pie. So if you really have the knowledge on making those precious bucks, getting a lot of traffic, readers and buyers will probably be an easy task. On the other hand thanks to those naive individuals, searching for a way to make thousands on autopilot, a lot of scammers have made millions. The money making niche will definitely be alive in many years to come – as long as money’s there at least.
Daniel Sharkov@Blogging Tips´s last [type] ..Want a Better Blog Tomorrow Morning – Do These 6 Things Tonight
Hi Daniel,
Yes you are right. This is a topic that people will also search for and as long as money has value, this niche will definitely exist.
Thanks for the comment,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Blog Audit Friday- This Is How the Strong Become Stronger
How to make and save money. This is a good topic to write on, but I think most bloggers have already written it. (Still, I could write for newbie bloggers, but I don’t suppose getting that much traffic unless I have something new). I don’t really agree with you on “Your opinion doesn’t matter” section. I think my opinion matters. (The blog posts and comments I have written are my opinions).
I don’t suppose people will like it if we make article quick and precise. (If we do, our articles would be too short to consider as an article and people wouldn’t be reading it)(I agree that are posts should not be too large). Our opinions make our posts interesting. For example : I can take out many things from your post that is not necessary. (But if I do that, your post wouldn’t be interesting). Opinions make each blog post different, unique.
I agree with all of your other opinions. Anyway, Thanks for the great read !
Jeevan´s last [type] ..Why you should Guest Blog @ FamousBloggers
Hello Jeevan,
About the 2 topics, you are right that maybe most bloggers have already written it, despite that I still recommend them because its a fact that most people are still very much interested on them and continue to search this in the web. As to you other comments, I respect and value them. I appreciate your honesty.
Thanks for coming,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..Blog Audit Friday- This Is How the Strong Become Stronger
Those were really wonderful tips. And thats precisely how I tend to write. Anything which I feel won’t add value to my visitors I don’t click publish on them. Information~Money and thats how I like representing it.
Keshav@Tech Geek Guy´s last [type] ..Overclock your Motorola Backflip 21 Eclair and increase its performance
Hello Keshav,
Thanks for the comment. Glad you find the info here useful. I hope I was able to inspire you.
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..9 Distractions that Kill Your Blogging- and Why I Hate Shopping Malls
Sweet – at least my last post qualifies! Last post was 15 Factors For Pricing Wedding Photography.
Breaking it down – if my readers know what influences the prices of their services, they can make changes to those things and be able to make more doing what they love. Does that sound about right to you?
By the way, another fantastic post! Simple concept, but very relevant. I actually wrote your 2 rules at the top of my list of topics for my blog so I remember to think about making and saving money for my readers.
TJ McDowell@St Louis Photographer´s last [type] ..15 Factors For Pricing Wedding Photography
Hello TJ,
Yes I think that will work.
Thanks for including my 2 rules in your list.
Have a great day,
Ana
Ana´s last [type] ..10 Rules of Social Engagement That Will Make or Break Your Blog Readership
Thank you! Interestingly written, I think to use on your blog and I think that for the growing Russian audience it will also be helpful.
allgin´s last [type] ..Рекламная строчка Nolix – первый опыт
Great Post
Its so tru thats its all about benefits and ur content better be good and engaging if you want to attract readers.
Always think “How can u add value so your reader can benefit”
Thanks
Jack Foley´s last [type] ..How To Get Your MLM Blog Ranked Fast In The Search Engines
Hi,
I have read this article about 5times and yet, I am yet to digest it. It is really very informative and good for some of us that are very new in the blogging world.
Thank you
I fully agree that both the topics are much searched at Internet and therefore can attract lot of traffic. Good idea and thanks for sharing.
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