Lots of bloggers seem to do everything right, yet they don’t see much success.
They write well-structured posts, they pay attention to SEO, they know the ins and outs of their blogging software … but something’s lacking.
That missing “something” can often be personality. It’s the difference between a blog that readers come across and instantly forget … and a blog that makes a connection and an impact.
Does your blog need a bit of extra personalisation? Here’s how ten top bloggers make their blogs stand out:
Blog: YTravel
Some blogging topics pretty much demand great photos. Travel is one of those (and others include food, craft and fashion blogging).
Caz and Craig post gorgeous, smiley photos of their family. Some of these are simple candid snapshots, like in 17 Tips for Flying With Kids to Keep You Calm and Happy, and others are a little more posed, like the photos in Getting Settled in the USA + Where to Next.
Lessons learned:
Blog: Pat Flynn
As soon as you visit Pat’s blog, you see huge text of his name and photos of him with what he’s about – “father, husband, serial entrepreneur” – as well as his quirky humour: “protector of baby yoda”.
Lessons learned:
Blog: Shannon Kelly White
Salty language tends to polarise readers: some love it and find it a big part of a blog’s appeal; others will be put off and won’t return. Shannon swears – frequently and enthusiastically – on her blog (even in her tagline and navigation menu):
Lessons learned:
Blog: Blog Tyrant
As soon as you visit Blog Tyrant, you’ll see the red-shirted blogging super-hero avatar: this illustration features in the banner image on the home page, and in the feature images for several of his posts:
It’s also on the front cover of his free report.
Lessons learned:
Blog: A Beautiful Mess
New readers may land on any post on your blog … and you can bet if they like it they’ll be checking out who the blogger is behind the post, by clicking on your “About” page next.
It can help to give them a quick glimpse into who you are and what you’re all about. Sisters Elsie and Emma do this stylishly with a bright, bold photo and short but cacthy introduction.
Lessons learned:
Blog: Chris Ducker
Chris Ducker uses the same (smiling) headshots on each of his blog post images, his About page, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, creating a consistent brand across multiple platforms:
Lessons learned:
Blog: Jadah Sellner
When you visit Jadah’s site, your eyes are instantly drawn to her beautiful color scheme:
The colours of her clothes tie in with the color theme of the site: it feels like everything fits together seamlessly. (The whole combination feels like a warm, earthy makeup palette)
Lessons learned:
Blog: SuperFastBusiness
The first thing you see on James Schramko’s site is a brand statement calling out his business coaching services and who they’re for. Instantly, it’s clear what he’s all about and – crucially –what kind of audience/customer he’s making content for.
Lessons learned:
Blog: Kelly Exeter
If you can tell your ideal readers, in just a few words, that your blog is exactly the right place for them:
(Your name) is a (what you do) who helps (your ideal reader)… (do what you offer).
And if you have something to offer, get your readers to take action straight away… There’s no use putting them through some complicated email subscription auto-responder series, just get them to click a button and “FIND OUT HERE” what you can do for them.
Like Kelly:
Lessons learned:
Blog: Puttylike
Emily has a TedTalk that identifies her personality type as a “Multipotentialite” and she creates an audience of people who identify with her definition.
The genius move by Emily is that on her home page she uses a quiz as a lead-magnet (“Are You a Multipotentialite?”) to convert random visitors to her site into repeat readers.
Lessons learned:
How are you currently showing your personality on your blog? Did anything resonate with you as you looked at the above examples … and what will you try next?
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