WordPress Blog How To: Get The WOW! Factor | Top 5 Tips
I probably read more Blogs and posts than most folks. But that’s my job and it helps to keep my finger on the pulse of what others are doing that works (and what doesn’t too) as well as what onliners like, react to and are looking for.
What I see happen all too often is new Bloggers are lemmings — not leaders. They believe they have something to say (whether they do or not is moot) and jump right in without thinking about how they will separate themselves from all the others already discussing the same subject. They take the narcissistic approach that the fact they think it is a good idea and they will be the one typing about it, that’s good enough. Not so much grasshopper!
Then, they tend to blindly follow what they see others are doing — many times under the incorrect perception that what one person is doing is going to work for them. That, my friends, is your second mistake.
The third mistake made is in thinking that without putting a concentrated effort into creating a Blog that is different than anything or anyone out there, that they’ll still be read, heard, visited, bought from. Nope. You simply cannot offer more of the same and expect to attain the “WOW! Factor”.
So here is my list of the Top 5 things you need to do before even typing you first post, from the start, to create and develop an uncommon and therefore unique and interesting Blog:
- Determine what you are interested in, what you know about (or are willing to submerge yourself in) and have a passion about. All too often new Bloggers fall into the trap of being a “me-too” Blog. In other words a Blog that talks about the same stuff as thousands of others — nothing new; nothing that can’t be found elsewhere. Without an genuine interest in and passion about your topic, you simply will not have the wherewithal to put in all the hard work and hours of writing and resource hunting necessary to create a successful Blog.
- Now that you identified your interest and passion, look at that subject matter and dig deeper into a niche, corner or unique angle of that focus that, after doing a bit of due diligence (searching Google, Twitter and other social media sites) you have found there is a void to fill. A need or desire for information that others are not yet providing or that you know — for a fact — you can do much better (be realistic here — this is much easier typed than done!). Better yet, find an angle you can hang your hat on that puts a twist on the subject that makes your Blog different from all the rest.
- Get a great design! No, you don’t have to pay for a custom design (but if you can that will make you stand out right from the get go with a look you know no one else will have). There are a ton of great premium themes available that you can make your own. And it is relatively easy to make the theme unique to you! Take it up a notch by changing colors, adding a unique header graphic, cool feature areas and stunning accent graphics. This is a visual medium and if you are serious about being different from the rest, you simply cannot look like everyone else.
- Create an About You page that puts your personality out there while providing enough personal information to show you are real, genuine and sincere. Let your personality shine through in every corner of your site — visitors will quickly learn that the site is all you when this is accomplished consistently throughout. This helps to build trust and credibility while giving visitors a sense of familiarity that makes them comfortable with you and your topic. Talk about the passion behind your site and what you intend to accomplish. Include an attractive photo of yourself to give visitors the opportunity to get to know you better. Remember, people like following and doing business with people they like.
- Create catchy and distinct Category names, Post Titles and commentary. Using off-beat, odd or peculiar verbiage your site visitors will “get” that relates to your sole focus can help to give your Blog it’s own unique personality not to be found elsewhere. Take creative liberties with standard and customary jargon and make it exclusive to your site and topic. This approach while helping to make you uncommon needs to come natural to you and be used consistently to help your site be exceptional.
See a pattern forming? There’s nothing special about being common — not if you want to “WOW!” your visitors and keep them coming back for more. The last thing you want to do is what everyone is doing. So find a way to turn your topic on it’s head, be controversial, be different — be you!
Yes, it is important to use methodologies and solid principles that work. But in today’s noisy online environment where everyone seems to have something to say — you need to be constantly thinking about how you can be different and rise above the cacophony of those typing about similar things in less than interesting ways.
How you do that is by being unlike anyone else — now go out and WOW! ‘em!
At your service,
Judith
You may also enjoy:
- WordPress How To: 3 Easy Steps for Gathering Great Post Ideas
- WordPress How To: Have the WOW Factor!
- Do You Have Passion & Knowledge?
- But What Should I Blog About!?
- Sweet Sixteen WordPress Blogging Secrets
One Response to “WordPress Blog How To: Get The WOW! Factor | Top 5 Tips”
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FYI: I do not approve comments from those who use keywords in lieu of their names. Not only do those comments tend to be self-serving, I prefer to make a real connection with visitors who comment on my Blog -- can't do that with keywords. Please see my comment policy for more ...
WOW! is Right! Thanks for the great tips! I’m just starting my own Blog and this has been very helpful indeed. So very glad I found you… Consider me a new regular!