The phenomenon of blogging isn’t new as it’s been around for over two decades. However, the number of individuals and companies using blogs today continues to grow.
The reason being, blogs are a great tool for marketing and growth hacking.
According to HubSpot, businesses that utilize blogs are 13 times more likely to experience a positive return on their investment. It presents the business with a chance to inform its audience of news, solutions, and events. But it isn’t limited to just that. Blogs allow a company to establish itself as an authority in its industry while also giving the audience some insights into the workplace culture by connecting with readers on a personal level. That is all without mentioning the impact it has on your SEO.
Once you have the commandments down, you want to employ certain tactics that turn the traffic into leads. The following four tactics will help you do that.
1. Include a call-to-action in your blog
A call-to-action (CTA) is a prompt that guides your readers to take action. You’ve probably noticed many CTAs as you browse the Internet with articles and banners asking you to “click here.” These then direct you to another page altogether.
In a blog, there are many different ways to use a CTA. It can lead visitors to a form, provide more information about a solution, send them to a purchase page, prompt them to download a file, or just take readers to another page. What it does is it directs them to take action and continue to browse, signup, learn more, or purchase on your website. Without a CTA, visitors can just “bounce” off your website without you prompting them with what to do next. This is why CTAs are considered to be a great tool for conversion.
2. Create an area of exclusive, gated content within your blog
Everyone is aware of how blogs are a great tool for sharing information. Businesses are directed to give free information, tips, and guides to visitors to impart knowledge on to them. But that doesn’t mean you hand everything out for free.
For access to exclusive content, in-depth guides, whitepapers, case studies, and other premium content, you can prompt visitors to provide their contact information. In return, they can have access to your premium content.
Gating premium content on your blog will get you more leads. But this is only achieved when the free content appeals to visitors. Which is why it is important you publish articles that capture readers attention and then go with the gated route for more in-depth content.
3. Incorporate a margin banner
Marketers have been leveraging margin banners for years now. You can visit any professional blog and you will notice that there is a banner on the side that is always there. This banner usually ranges from asking visitors to sign up for newsletters or e-mail promotions, to advertising discounts on products. You can consider the banner as an additional CTA within the blog. It offers visitors something in return for their contact information.
A margin banner is important to include on all blog posts. It allows visitors to easily sign up or subscribe to your offerings without having to navigate through your website. Especially if your blog appeals to them.
4. Enable comments on your blog
The comment section of a blog serves two purposes, it lets you engage with your audience while also allowing you to generate qualified leads. Only visitors that are interested in what you have to say would take the time out to engage with you by posting a comment. Whatever the comment is you can reply, answering their queries and adding a CTA to more information on the particular subject.
The Final Word
For any business to survive in the cut-throat market today, it is important that they utilize their marketing efforts to its fullest potential. Blogs are more than just a smart way to build organic traffic or share valuable information. They can be used to take your lead generation strategy to the next level.
Sources:
http://www.stateofinbound.com/?_ga=1.66723238.921863994.1438640305
