May 17, 2012

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5 Kinds of Blog Posts Proven to Drive Traffic

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Most of us blog because we love to write and want to connect with like-minded readers, not because we’re egomaniacs who need tons of traffic and comments to feel satisfied. Still, it’s a rare blogger who doesn’t check her stats and feel a surge of pride when one of her posts goes viral and attracts tons of traffic. And that spike in traffic is most fulfilling when you know it’s the result of quality content merging with smart online strategies.

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of post types that are proven to attract readers. Keep in mind, though, that publishing these kinds of posts probably won’t work unless you’re putting your own spin on a topic instead of regurgitating what’s already been said elsewhere.
  1. The Controversial Post

    2. This type of post works best when it’s inspired by a genuine frustration or counter-opinion, not just arguing for the sake of stirring up controversy (and driving traffic). For instance, fellow freelancer Lori Widmer generated a lot of traffic when she took a stand against Demand Studios on her blog. She didn’t rail against this new business model because she wanted to attract lots of angry commenters, she did it to warn other writers and show them the alternatives.

  2. The Shout Out Post

    3. I’ve created posts like this in the past, but it wasn’t until I listened to a podcast with Pat Flynn and Corbett Barr that I fully understood the shout out post’s potential. Instead of inviting guest bloggers to contribute, Barr suggests creating a shout out post in which you link to several influential or up-and-coming bloggers in your niche. That way, it gets you on their radar, and many times these bloggers are so stoked that they’ll comment, tweet, or otherwise share the link with their followers. Check out Barr’s post, 17 Traffic Building Tips, for a great example of this format that also incorporates some other useful tips on building traffic.

  3. The List Post

    4. Search engines and readers love lists because they’re easily digestible. And if you can brainstorm a whole bunch of useful tips and wow readers with an impressive number, even better (often you can pull this off by breaking down your initial ideas into smaller, more specific tips). Examples of this format are everywhere, but if you need inspiration, feast your eyes on Carol Tice’s 20 Tips for Breaking Into Print Publications or my FreelanceSwitch post from way back, 50 Ways for Writers to Find Article Ideas.

  4. The Pop Culture Post

    5. Looking at things through a pop culture lens can be a great way to examine a tired topic in a new way. Take a look at this Copyblogger post titled Tim Gunn’s Top 5 Tips for More Stylish Content to see what I mean. I employed a similar strategy for my post about Writing Lessons from Charlotte’s Web – who doesn’t love the word-slinging spider we read about in childhood? Not only is it entertaining to the readers who visit your blog on a regular basis, but it can also attract new readers who happen to Google the name of the celeb, TV show, book, or movie you mention.

  5. The Tutorial Post

    6. So many blog posts ponder big ideas like “why should we write?” without delving into the “how” of writing (or whatever topic the blog covers). That’s why a well-crafted tutorial post that gets into the nuts and bolts of a project or topic can be incredibly powerful. Linda Formichelli’s post on using specificity to boost your writing is a great illustration of a how-to post. It also includes a few anecdotes from Linda’s own assignments, making the post more relatable and giving readers concrete examples of how to work in details.

OK, bloggers, it’s your turn! Which of these post types are your favorite? What format(s) would you add?

Flickr photo courtesy of Hanoi Mark
Filed Under: blogging advice

Open Thread: What Are You Thankful For?

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Mr. Muse and I are preparing for our first Thanksgiving together (last year we were technically coupled but we visited our families separately), so there won’t be a guest post this Friday. Instead, I’m devoting this week’s open thread to sharing some of the things we’re thankful for. It could be writing related. Or not.

Here are some of the many things I’m thankful for:

–My health
–My wonderfully supportive friends and family
–My impossibly cute, smart boyfriend who can appreciate my silly word play (and respond with some of his own)
–My upstairs neighbor’s cats, who excitedly greet me each time I come home and quell my own desire for felines
–My clients, especially the ones who pay on time

–My slow cooker, which makes it ridiculously easy to cook hearty meals for the week
–Starbucks’ salted caramel hot chocolate (yum!)
–Organizations like Grub Street, ASJA, and Freelance Success that bring like-minded writers together
–My students, blog and ebook readers, guest bloggers, Twitter followers, and colleagues who both inspire me and keep me on my toes
What about you? Leave a comment and let us know!
Flickr photo courtesy of dracobotanicus
Filed Under: open thread

How to Arm Yourself Against Idea Thieves

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Jake Poinier of Dear Dr. Freelance (another great blog worthy of your RSS subscription!) recently posed the question of whether editors ever steal ideas from freelance writers. I think newbie writers tend to be a little paranoid about this (you really this you’re the only person on the planet who’s ever thought to pitch a story on eco-gifts for the holidays?). But as I posted in the comments, it’s happened to me, and I know this because the editor actually ‘fessed up!

As Jake points out, ideas are not copyright-able. Sorry. However, there are a couple of strategies you can use to protect yourself and your ideas.

1. Don’t give away the farm.
This is one of the reasons why it’s a bad idea to submit something on spec or write without a contract. What’s to prevent an editor from just taking your piece and plopping it into the magazine as the now infamous editor of Cook’s Source did? Without a contract, it’s tough to make the case that they owe you a byline or money. Querying requires a delicate balance, too. You want to give enough detail to entice the editor but not so much that they can essentially write the story themselves (as in, “here are the names and email addresses of the three foremost experts on this topic!”). If an editor keeps asking for more details or stats, at some point, it’s appropriate to ask for a research fee and/or contract to ensure that you don’t get screwed

2. Talk yourself up.
Another way to prevent an editor from assigning your idea to someone else is to position yourself as the person to write it. Do you happen to suffer from the obscure medical condition mentioned in your pitch? Do you have access to an up-and-coming designer for an exclusive interview? Say it! (And by the way, please don’t pitch a celeb profile unless you know you’ll be able to land that interview.) The best ideas are ones that are so original that only you could write it, either because of insider knowledge or connections. It’s harder for someone to steal your idea if they don’t have your first-hand knowledge or access. At the very least, make a case for why your background and credentials are a great fit for the publication and this piece.

3. Befriend editors to build trust.
A commenter on Jake’s post pointed out that building a relationship with your editor can boost your chances of getting the assignment instead of having it go to someone else. It’s definitely smart to cultivate relationships by going to networking events, sending friendly check-in emails or holiday cards, and helping out your editor when she needs it (within reason). Of course, this won’t help you when you’re just starting the relationship with an editor so see tip #4.

4. Ask around.
Thank gawd for the internet! If news about Cook’s Source incident hadn’t leaked out on a blog, we would never have known about it. So, before sending a pitch to a new-to-you market, do a quick Google search and see if the editor or publication has a bad rep of ripping off ideas or not paying writers. You can also check the forums of Freelance Success, WritersWeekly.com, AbsoluteWrite, and others.
What about you? Have you had this happen? What do you do to protect yourself? Or do you think it’s better to just trust people and roll with the punches?

Flickr photo courtesy of One lucky guy
Filed Under: freelance writing advice

Guest Post: Applying for Grants as a Freelancer

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By Reeti Roy

As a writer just starting out, applying for grants can be a great way to pursue your passion. The application process can be daunting, but I’ve found that my ability to be myself and follow instructions has been invaluable. I hope that my own experiences will help you to apply for and win grants.
In my second year of college as a student of English Literature, I applied for a grant. I worked with a creative writing organization who would work with children from middle class families as well as those from a low socio-economic background. Working with underprivileged kids meant that they were not familiar with the English language. I stressed in my application that I was fluent in both Hindi and Bengali, languages which were required for me to communicate with them. I also wrote about how I had media experience and was aware of how to interact with the press (this would help them generate publicity for the organisation).
My second grant was from Matador Network, the largest independent online travel magazine and my third was from the Charles Wallace India Trust Fund to pursue a Creative Writing course at the University of Edinburgh. Although I’m quite new to this myself, I have gotten every grant that I have applied for. Here’s what I’ve found works:
  • Make personal contact beforehand

    • Often, sponsors don’t know you at all and you don’t even have a chance to meet with them for an interview. Sometimes, they are reading thousands of applications. It would always help if you contact the organisation before-hand and ask them about exactly what they are looking for and what kind of candidates they encourage. Don’t be afraid to clarify things that you don’t understand with a member of the organization.

    This does not, however, give you the license to send them five emails a day haranguing them, pictures of your pet puppy because you think he is cute or snapshots of you eating crab-meat with your hubby on an exotic vacation. Be affable and enthusiastic, but not obnoxious and intrusive. My first sponsor told me really scary stories about people calling him five times a day and dropping in at odd office hours! When I had emailed him with my grant request, I had followed the guidelines carefully and told him about my interests and experiences in a four paragraph cover letter.
  • Include CV with the grant application, even if it’s not requested.

    • Sending a CV helps the sponsor understand your educational background, your work experience and also note your interests. It also helps them see if you have leadership qualities, time management skills and whether you can multitask. A well-crafted CV can only be a positive thing.

    Often, using a resume format instead of a CV can be really helpful. Matador’s Editor, David Miller, has a really useful article on how to craft your writing resume.
  • Be genuine, no matter what.

    • Yes, it is very important to have a polished, error-free essay when you are applying for a grant, but try to be your most authentic self. Being authentic for me means that I will throw myself into my work and argue passionately about causes I believe in. For instance, my background in literature and social anthropology and my interest in human rights and social justice issues invariably becomes a pivotal point in my proposal. I talk about how it is important to address issues through writing, advocacy and academia and how grants can help me fulfill some of those goals.

Your turn! Have you applied for any grants as a freelancer? What would you add?


Reeti Roy is an independent journalist originally from Calcutta, India. Her grants include The Choice fellowship from The Seagull Foundation For The Arts, The Matador Travel Writing Scholarship from Matador Network, and The Charles Wallace India Trust Fund to pursue Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh.

Interested in contributing a guest blog post of your own? Check out the guest blogger guidelines.

Filed Under: freelance grants, guest blog posts
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