Your Blog: 7 Tips to Stand out from the Crowd

By: | September 20, 2016 | Tags: , , |

 Your Blog Can Beat the Competition and Stand Out

By Samantha Brannon

There are a lot of blogs out there.

In fact, there are many millions of posts put up every day. That’s a lot of competition.

And so, if you want to make yourself stand out and get over 100,000 followers, you’re going to have to take steps to make sure you don’t just stick head and shoulders above the rest, but preferably a torso as well.

But how do you do that?

Content isn’t king

Oh yes, you’re right, it’s vitally important. Without good content, you’ll not get any people to stick around. The thing is, great content doesn’t pull anybody in either because nobody will be aware of what is out there.

And so, content isn’t king, but more like a kingdom. And though it’s beautiful, if nobody visits it, you won’t get very far.

For that, you’ve got to market. And for that reason, when you’ve written up your post, you’re not done. You’ve got to find the right platforms to push the post, you’ve got to make certain people hear about it and you’ve got to keep pushing it for weeks and months afterward.

Don’t follow

Yeah, you can get a bit of a following rehashing what everybody else is saying, but you’ll never get really far. Instead, you’ve got to have your own opinions. Don’t take this to mean that you’ve got to be controversial. That will only last you so long until people realize that you’re just saying stuff for the sake of saying it.

Instead, you’ve got to follow the data, like Study Hacks does. Here the site doesn’t have a problem arguing against public opinion, as long as it has the numbers to back it up.

Pick your niche well

Sure, creativity helps when you’re choosing what you’re going to blog about as the risk with writing about something everybody else writes about is that there is far more competition. That said, you don’t want to be too creative. After all, it’s very possible that the reason people don’t write in a particular niche is because nobody is actually interested in reading about it!

So, for example, you might have the only blog about cross-dressing North Koreans who write subversive poetry about the Kim dynasty, but you might find it tough to find a large readership. Mainly this is because there aren’t that many people out there who are interested in that kind of thing, but also because you’re going to have trouble reaching the few people that do.

Something mainstream with a twist

Instead, try taking something that is popular and then giving it a small twist away from the mainstream. That way you’ll be able to offer up something unique, while at the same time creating a much greater likelihood that people are actually interested.

Take this nerd fitness site, which pushes fitness into a new arena. Then there’s this site about how to freelance from the road, which combines remote working and travel. Or Skepchick, which is about atheism, secularism, and feminism – which seem like three things you could combine well, but nobody actually does.

Mix it up

Don’t just write stories. Yeah sure, some of your audience will enjoy it, but most of us aren’t just word oriented. We like visuals, movies, and more. And so, unless you want to leave the vast majority of your potential fans out in the cold, make certain that you’ve got other content.

This can be the occasional podcast, videos or slideshow of photos about something that is directly relevant to what you’re doing. Try different things and see what sticks.

Another great advantage of using different formats is that it will allow you to rehash a post that was previously successful in another format. So if you have a blog post that did well, try discussing it in a podcast, or creating an infographic about it.

Connect

Find other people that are close to your niche and begin a relationship with them. Perhaps you even want to create a share for share system, where they put up your stuff and you return the favor.

This simple strategy can be win-win, in that it exposes you to their fan base (and your fan base to their site, of course) and also allows you to fill more of your schedule with good content without having to go out of your way to look for it, which will give you more time for other things.

Reach out

Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are experts in your field. The best thing you can do is interview them for stories you’re doing – even if it’s just one quote. Then be sure to let them know that you’ve included their quote when the post goes up. If you’re lucky they’ll share your story with their network giving you immediate access to a lot of potential fans.

It also makes your story seem that much more authoritative, which is, of course, a great extra bonus.

Work at it

And finally, make sure you work at it. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Most people, however, seem to think that blogs are things that either succeed or don’t in the first few months. That isn’t even close to the truth. There’s a good chance you won’t see any physical returns during the first year. That doesn’t mean the landscape isn’t changing in your favor, as more and more people hit your blog and you create brand recognition.

So don’t give up. Keep hammering away at it. As long as you’re growing, you’ve got a reason to continue.

About the author: Samantha Brannon is an entrepreneur and freelancer. She is also a co-founder and writing editor at Trust Essays writing service. Samantha loves self-education and rock music. Connect with her via Twitter.

Admin Blogger’s Commentary: Readers, too many bloggers consider abandoning their blogs. Please share, so they understand these tips can help them stand out in the blogosphere, beat the competition for readers, and get noticed.

How do you get noticed in this virtual jungle called the blogosphere? Do you have any advice for newer bloggers overwhelmed by the competition for readers? I look forward to your views in the comment section.

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How to Create Better Blog Content That Will Bring You an Enormous Audience

7 Secrets That Will Turn You Into a SuperHero Blogger in 2016 and Beyond

  1. Cathy Chester

    Thanks for the great tips. I’d love to try a video or slideshow but, well, a little hesitant about it from….fear Any suggestions on how to learn how to do one? Thanks!

    • Nena

      Hi, Cathy!

      I would say just go for it! You can even start by using your phone (make sure to have good lighting) and just reviewing it for yourself afterward. Ask for opinions from loved ones or anyone else you trust and make adjustments from there. The big step is really in just doing it! It will all go well:)

  2. Andria Perry

    Excellent tips! I love this article and its for all to read and learn, what not to do!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Andria!
      I love your supportive comments about my articles. I’m glad you enjoyed Tuesday’s post. Thanks for writing to tell me.
      Janice

  3. Melinda Mitchell

    Shannon, this is too funny! “only blog about cross-dressing North Koreans who write subversive poetry about the Kim dynasty, ”
    BBFFJ, quality content as always! You are the best use-of-your-time blogger I know!!
    BBFFM

    • Janice Wald

      Hi BBFFM,
      Thanks for writing to comment on Tuesday’s article. Great to hear from you.
      Best-use-of-time blogger– funny! I just wish sleeping was in the schedule.
      Janice

  4. GiGi Eats

    I love your tip of NOT following – I couldn’t agree more! You have to be YOUR OWN LEADER and do your own thing… That way you can carve out a NICHE FOR YOURSELF that you’re comfortable and happy with!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Gigi!
      Great to hear from you! Thanks for commenting on Tuesday’s blog post.
      You are a leader in your niche who has carved out a name for yourself! So Impressive!
      Janice

  5. Mama Munchkin

    These are great tips! I agree it is hard to stand out in the crowd… I have worked long and hard trying to create a strategy and brand around my own strengths but seems to be working finally. Love your tip about reaching out- it has been a HUGE part of my success.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Mama!
      Thank you for commenting on Tuesday’s blog post. I agree with you about “reaching out”. I quote experts in the blogging niche so often someone once teased me about it! Thanks for writing me and for the visit.
      Janice

  6. Sarah Harris

    I especially love this line: Content isn’t king, but more like a kingdom. And though it’s beautiful, if nobody visits it, you won’t get very far. You always have wonderful advice!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Sarah,
      Thanks for writing me on Tuesday and commenting on my post. The article was contributed by a freelancer named Samantha. I agree she had a wonderful quote– content is a kingdom. Thanks for the nice words about the article and the visit on Tuesday.
      Janice

  7. Nena

    Amazing tips as always! It is truly encouraging because blogging, although fun, can also be tough. Thank you for the motivation!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Nena,
      Thank you so much for your compliments on my tips. I am always happy to help. Speaking of helping, thank you for helping Cathy with your excellent idea about strong lighting when making videos.
      Thanks for the visit!
      Janice

  8. John Doe

    Great post. It was one of those posts that you read 2 or 3 times just to make sure you did not miss anything. Janice you continue to have guest writers who are really amazing Some bloggers have guest writer and it just seems like they are having people write just so they do not have to. Your guest writers are ALWAYS so interesting and informative. Thank you.

  9. Cathy Lawdanski

    I just try to improve my writing and enhance my skills, like photography. I’m also getting some traction from FB Live. I’ll be at the 1 year mark December 1. Planning a big evaluation of my content and a survey of my readers. I’ve honed in on the fact that I get the most bang for the buck (figuratively) from FB and Pinterest, so spending most of my SM time there.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Cathy,
      It is my resolution to step up my Pinterest game. I also get the most Return on my Time Investment from Facebook. I am also trying to improve my photography skills. Thanks for writing and visiting me this week.
      Janice

  10. Ryan Biddulph

    Really really REALLY connect and reach out. Love these tips Samantha! Because you will stand out from the crowd more easily if successes in your niche promote you, endorse you and laud you. They amplify your presence but you need to reach out and connect through email, social and by linking to successful blogger’s post. I stood out by doing onsite work but buttering up successful bloggers opened doors for me, doors that inspired top bloggers to promote me, to endorse me and to offer me running guest post gigs. Sweet deal all the way around. Thanks for sharing!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Ryan,
      Your comments explaining how you achieved success in your early days of blogging were interesting. It is my norm to link to other, more successful bloggers, but I appreciated your reminder.
      In response to what you wrote, what is “onsite work”?
      Thanks for writing and your visit this week.
      Janice

  11. Robin Khokhar

    Hi Janice,
    That was an awesome post. You have shared some amazing tips . So, thanks for the great share.
    And have a good week ahead.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Robin,
      So glad you enjoyed! Thanks for writing and visiting me.
      Janice

  12. Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle

    Thanks Samantha and Janice. Some good basic tips that we may need to go back and re-evaluate what we are doing.

    Kathleen
    Bloggers Pit Stop

  13. Agent54

    Uh, thank you but, that’s too complicated. I just write funny stuff. It seems to work.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Agent!
      Thanks for commenting on my article.
      People love humor. Sadly, that isn’t in my wheelhouse.
      Janice

  14. Olivia Morris

    Thank you for this, I am reading and taking notes as I go along. I have been blogging for quite some time and still have trouble getting an audience. I know they are out there, it’s just making the connection.

    In my niche, I know I’m an expert, but how do you get others to recognize that? I write about fashion and in particular fashion for the plus sized ladies. I had my own business for over 35 years, I’ve seen just about everything there is to see and then some. I know what I am writing about.

    There is just so much to learn between website, plugins, seo, analytics and all that technical stuff, to down right writing….it’s onerous at times.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Olivia,
      Thanks you for commenting on my article.
      Sadly I agree with you. Everything takes time to learn. However, there is no rush. They say blogging is a marathon not a sprint because it’s true.
      How does anyone get people to recognize they are an expert? I have been asked to participate in interview panels. People find me on Twitter.
      That’s my advice. Exposure everywhere.
      Janice

  15. Steven Goodwin

    Great article with some great actionable tips here! I’ve been really interested in the share for share stuff to help networking with others and kind of starting a blogging “co-op” if you will! Going to read those posts next!

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