If you’ve been blogging for a while now you know how much hard work it is. Whether you do it full-time or just blog every now and then, there are no easy fixes for this job. But if I can nail down one thing bloggers need to be doing, I would say storytell. The majority of my blog posts are focused on lifestyle. But every now and then, I get personal. I talk about my relationship with my husband, my frustrations, my story. And people seem to respond amazingly to it.
The reason is because everyone loves a good story. A story about who you are, where you come from and, particularly, your struggles. People want to relate and feel like they are a part of something bigger. That they’re not the only ones going through something. And the more relatable you become, the easier it gets for them to see you as one of their own. So, the one thing bloggers need to be doing is:
Articulate a compelling story
The most mundane aspects of your life can be turned into a story. And that’s your advantage point. Take small or big events in your life and make them relatable to your audience.
Aline your story and your brand
Yesterday, I talked about turning your blog into your brand. Today, I’m telling you to use your story to aline them. You have to set goals for yourself – especially if you’re blogging as a full time job – and understand where you want to go. If you’re a lifestyle blogger, your story should cover a diversity of things. Think about what your posts are saying, what your Instagram is conveying and what your Pinterest is showing. All of that, should be one language and people should be able to tell it’s you. There’a s girl I follow, whom I met here in New York. Everything she does, I immediately identify as being hers without even looking at her name.
Engage with your readers
Always remember that you’re telling your story to an audience and their feedback is crucial. You can tell a lot by analyzing Google Analytics, stats, but ask them questions. Genuinely answer comments and ask for feedback. They will love to be a part of what makes you, your blog and your brand, what they are. Once people realize you’re a real person that goes through the same shit everyone does, you start to get more traction. I love feeling like I’m part of a community, and that’s one of the most powerful tools at our reach.