Blogging isn’t what it used to be. Years ago, people started blogs to tell personal accounts of their lives detailing travel adventures or other exciting feats. While these types of blogs still have a place on the internet, the purpose and audience reach of blogging has significantly grown. Today, everyone from self-starting entrepreneurs to large corporations can use blogging to tell their stories and promote awareness of their brand.

Whether it’s your first time blogging or you’re looking for new ways to improve your strategy, focus on these 10 key tricks to get you there:

1. Understand Your Brand Message

A great online presence starts with the key messaging built behind-the-scenes. This messaging is what people remember when they think about your brand. Whether you’re a freelancer building your personal brand or a huge company wanting to better relate to customers, what do you want your brand to say about you?

Before you write a single word, nail down your brand message. Write down a few sentences describing what you want your company to be known for. Then, filter to a few key adjectives describing your brand.

Once this is solidified, everything written thereafter should relate to this original message. This message can adapt in time, just like any business adapts to the changing needs of the customer. However, you want it to carry that same original theme.

2. Create a Blogging Schedule You’ll Stick To

When starting a blog, one of the most challenging parts is to put out content on a continual basis, but this is the most important part. One of the reasons that blogging is so powerful is because it helps you quickly climb higher in search engine results.

Due to the higher volume of content produced through blogging, Google notices your site building a larger online presence. All of your articles help grow this presence by publishing content with the same theme. Whether your blogging schedule is daily, weekly or monthly, make sure you’re consistently putting out content that strengthens your brand awareness online.

“Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos

3. Tell Stories that Further Promote Your Brand Message

Marketing no longer tries to catch customers’ attention by interrupting them with ads that will get the most views. Instead, the focus is to tell a story that pulls the right potential customers in. This is a much more pleasant experience for all parties involved because the message gets in front of the right people.

There is no need to cast a wide net by reaching out to a countless individuals. Contrarily, the objective is to promote stories that organically draw the right people in and speak to their specific needs.

4. Use Keywords that Align with Your Brand

The best way to create an online presence is to tell the same story across all content. Every time you write a blog post, the title should accurately depict the article’s content. What words or phrases might your target audience use to search for you?

Starting with who your potential customer or reader is, you can pinpoint why they would be looking for you. Once you’ve nailed down a list of keywords, use these throughout your blog post titles and content. Continually producing articles that highlight these keywords will help you to be recognized for the right thing.

5. Utilize Long-Tail Keywords to Attract a Niche Audience

When implementing a keyword strategy, you can target words with the highest volume or drill down to longer phrases that pull the right audience in. It’s always best to begin your keyword optimization targeting long-tail phrases.

You can still go after more general keywords as long that are a good fit, but this shouldn’t be your main priority. You’ll be able to rank higher quicker for more specific phrases since you’ll have less competition and will be a relevant search result.

6. Speak the Same Language as Your Ideal Reader

Your English professor might have asked you to write more eloquently, but you have to use a different mindset to attract your ideal reader. Think of the way you search on Google, you don’t waste time writing scientific sentences. You probably write in a more casual tone similar to how you might talk with your friends.

Whether or not your ideal reader speaks in a more formal or casual manner, make sure you write articles speaking to them. What would a conversation with your reader sound like? Mimicking this tone will help you to attract the right audience.

7. Create Blog Url’s that Align with Your Title

In line with your successful keyword strategy, make sure your blog url’s are utilizing long-tail keywords. Your article titles should contain a long-tail keyword phrase that bring in the right readers. Use this title as the end of your url, separating each word with a dash.

For instance, in this article’s title the long-tail keyword phrase is, “Successfully Start a Blog.” This way, when someone searches for how to start a blog, this article will have a higher chance of showing up in the results. The keyword phrases that readers use to search for your article do not need to be exact matches to your article’s title. If they are slightly reworded, they still have the same meaning.

8. Promote on the Right Social Media Platforms

Once you’ve done all the hard work of creating your content, you now have to get the right people to view it. With the countless number of social media users out there today, you can quickly get the word out. However, take a minute to think about which platforms would be the best fit to get to your target reader.

Which social media platform would you find your target reader spending the most time on? If your content best aligns with LinkedIn, then use that as a means to get to your reader. Getting exposure on the right social media platforms will help to find your target audience where they already are.

“Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it’s not going to get the business.” – Warren Buffett

9. Use Social Sharing Buttons

Word-of-mouth is one of the oldest forms of marketing. It exists today greater than ever through online conversations others are having about your company or brand. More than ever, we have the ability to learn about new companies by what our friends are sharing.

Once your reader finds your content, make it easy for them to share. By adding in social media sharing buttons around your article, you give the reader an opportunity to amplify your message. If this message aligns with their passions and interests, then you want to give them the ability to share amongst their friends. What better way to get the message out?

10. Extend the Reach of Previous Blog Articles

Once you’ve successfully published and shared an article amongst your network, don’t let it die just yet. If an older article lines up with your current brand message, extend its shelf life by reintroducing it to your network. Of course, you’ll want to reword your social media post to liven things up. But, you never know how relevant your article might be still today.

Every single blog article you write helps to further your online presence. Instead of just consuming content online, create something that matters for years to come.

What message will you leave behind? Use these 10 key strategies to help you build something great.