You know how important it is to keep your blog current and keep your readers interested. It can be challenging to come up with blog posts that won't bore your visitors and is interesting enough to keep them coming back.
It doesn't matter whether you are blogging for fun or blogging to make money, if visitors are your goal then here are eight types of blog posts that you can use to keep your blog interesting, promote sharing, increase followers and encourage comments.
Type 1 - The 'QUICK TIPS' Blog Post.
These quick tips make great "in-between" posts. These are usually between 100-250 words. If you have ideas that you want to share with your readers but it doesn't justify a full blog post, posting quick tips are ideal. The tip should be focused on one key area of your niche. For example, "How to eat less when eating out" is a perfect 'quick tip' for a dieting blog.
Type 2, The 'HOW to' Blog Post
Let's expand on the quick tips blog article and look at the "how to" posts. These posts provide more in-depth information for your readers about how to accomplish specific tasks related to your niche, such as specific examples or step-by-step instructions. These posts could be divided into one or more parts.
You can find ideas for 'how-to' posts on niche forums and related blogs. These forums are great places to look for answers to questions others have about specific tasks. A well-written, informative and detailed 'how-to' post can be very popular and help you to be recognized as an Parents For Occupy Wall St authority in your field.
Type 3 - The 'REVIEW' Blog Post
Readers find product or service reviews extremely useful because they help them make a decision about buying. This is a great way for you to monetize your blog. This is particularly beneficial to affiliate marketers. This gives you an opportunity to earn a commission on every sale you make by reviewing a product and including your affiliate link.
The key to writing a credible 'review' blog post is not to simply go over the major benefits and highlights of the product, but to also mention things about the product that could be improved. This gives your readers a balanced review and enables them to see the product from a different perspective. Your blog visitors will appreciate you candid honesty and be more inclined to trust your recommendation.
Type 4 - The RESOURCE Blog Post
Many of the most popular blogs use resource list. Lists are a favorite among blog readers because they allow them to quickly scan the information and concentrate on the content that interests them.
If you write a post about the "10 ways to lose weight quickly", a resource list will mention posts from other blogs that have similar information. This gives your reader a much broader view of ideas and tips available to them.
By doing this you will also find that readers will look to you as a useful resource for finding as much well-rounded information as possible on the topic at hand.
Type 5, The INTERVIEW Blog.
Interviews are a great way to share your knowledge with others, especially if you're able to do it with someone you admire and like. Try interviewing someone in your niche and sharing the results of the interview with your blog readers. This is also a powerful traffic generator as the person you interview will most likely post the interview on their blog and around the web, bringing more traffic back to you!
Typ 6 - The "BEST OF" Blog Post
These are great end of the year or end of season posts. For example, if you do a lot of reading, you might list the 'best of' articles, books or guides that you read during the past year. Additionally, you could also create a post highlighting your most popular blog posts of the year. Whatever your niche, have a look back at the items, events or ideas that were the year's best and create a post around them. This can be fun, especially for nostalgic readers.
Type 7 - The PERSONAL STORY' Blog Post
Everyone loves a personal story. Anyone that follows you or your blog would be interested in a personal event or happening related to your niche. Did you attend a seminar? Did you buy a new product? Did you have a mishap that could be made an example of? Without getting too personal or overly detailed, writing a blog post on you personal achievements or activities almost always draws interest and feedback.
Type 8 - The 'NEWS' Blog Post
Every niche has some news related items or happenings. Keep your eyes and ears open to what's going on, then find a newsworthy item and write your personal comments. This post is easy to make and quick, but it encourages readers' feedback. Include a link to the post in your comments.