OK, so you’re getting into blogging.
Not just for the fun of it, but to make some extra money.
That means you need to know what types of blog posts have the best potential to get you monetary results. Today we’ll take a look at some of the most effective blog post types.
For starters, it is important to remember that you should keep your content as tightly niched as possible.
Let’s say you’re running a blog about golf. You might think that creating a post about the top five new luxury watches could attract golfers. Maybe some of them would buy a watch via your affiliate link.
While that’s not completely outside the realm of possibility, since golf is a somewhat expensive hobby, that article is likely to attract a lot of visitors that don’t care anything about golf. That’s not your target audience.
Doing this can even hurt your reputation as a golf blogger, not to mention your search engine ranking since you’re so off-topic.
The thing to remember is that you want to create content that is the most likely to get you a new email subscriber, or to get someone to buy something, or take whatever other action you wish.
With that in mind, here are the best types of on-topic posts to get the job done…
Top Lists
Top lists are a very popular type of content that is perfect for a lead-in to a call-to-action.
For example, a golf blogger could post an article called, “The Top 5 Drivers That Can Lengthen Your Drives”.
You could then have your call-to-action at the end of the article asking people to opt in for your lead magnet called “10 Ways to Shave Strokes Off Your Golf Game”.
It’s perfectly fine to use your affiliate links to link out to the products in your list, in an effort to monetize your post.
Interviews
Interviews with industry experts and popular figures in your market will draw a lot of attention, and they help lend a little credibility to your blog.
If you’ve interviewed someone people recognize, not only will it draw in more traffic, it will also make people naturally feel your own information is more likely to be good.
Tips & Tricks
People love articles that provide simple tips and tricks in an easy-to-digest format.
Lists of 5-10 tips and tricks on a particular topic draw a lot of readers, and make it easy to lead in to a call-to-action.
That’s why you see so many large, popular brands such as buzzfeed and other using this strategy constantly.
In-Depth Tutorials
In-depth tutorials always tend to be big draws, but they’re also excellent for getting people to take action.
A good in-depth tutorial will bring in a lot of traffic, and it will also give you a lot of credibility if it is well-written and interesting.
These work so well because Google’s algorithm prefers longer articles. In fact, the best blog length for SEO in 2019 is 1,700 or more Words.
Blog posts with over a 2,000 words rank better than blog posts with 1000 words or less.
So strive for 2000 words posts at least occasionally.
(I know that’s a lot of writing, but you can always outsource the work for fiverr.com or other places.)
Plus, when you give away such great information for free, you can get lots of comments on the post. That makes the page grow in content even more over time, solidifying that great ranking.
Case Studies
People love case studies. They show your readers what is really possible in your niche.
The best place to generate case studies is to survey your own list for people who have had success in your niche. Then use the interview strategy above and blend it into a real life case study.
Make sure you focus on the obstacles they overcame as well as the end result.
Case studies also work great as product reviews. Weave in your affiliate link and you’ll make lots of money form this type of blog post.
Video
Video content has huge potential for getting people to take action, because you can actually ask them to take action in the video itself.
Plus, video watchers stay on your page longer, which also helps with Google ranking.
Moreover, people who are watching your video are much more likely to hear your call-to-action than someone who’s just read a lot of text and now need to read a call-to-action, so video can be extremely effective.
Other Types of Content
There are other types of content you can consider, too. Remember that you don’t have to stick 100% to your main conversion goals. Occasionally, you can have additional goals for your content.
For example, maybe you just want to raise brand awareness. You want to get a big boost of viral traffic, and you’re not as worried about your main goals.
In that case, you could create a post that was totally out there just to get traffic and help people recognize your name within your niche.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Let’s say you write an article called, “The 25 Most Bizarre Money Making Methods Ever Created!”
This article is pretty generic, and it could potentially draw a lot of people who aren’t even interested in making money because they just want to see the strange information—BUT, it could also draw readers who would be interested in what you are offering.
It could also increase recognition of your brand in your niche, which could benefit you down the road even if you don’t get a lot of results immediately.
As you can see from today’s posts, there are lots of different formats that work well when blogging. Mix it up and try them all. That’s the only way you’ll know which blog content types work beset with your niche!
Hey Jim,
Great Information!
Thanks!
Sam
This is a very interesting and informative articles. I have always been thinking on what article type are best to monetize a particular product?.
But Jim, I think “How To” articles will also work great especially in IM and Weight Loss niches.
Keep up the good work.
This is very informative. I bookmarked the page so I could re-read as a refresher when I lose focus. I have the tendency to get interested in too many things and then don’t get anything completed.
I wouldn’t have thought of guest posts That’s a good recommendation.
Excellent information as always.
Bernie Holt
Interesting article, thanks.
Question: Is video really effective? I see so much of it now and wonder if you know of any studies of its effectiveness. I know I would rather read an article than watch a video, but I could be in the minority.
Nice to read your “back to basics” info. KISS works most times it’s just the direction plotting and planning that really needs to be concentrated on. Better to get one thing right before charging off in 10 different directions.
All the best to you and yours
Jack