Is Blogging Still Relevant in 2022?

An easy answer to the above question is “yes, I have proven so by writing about 30 blog posts since 2022 started.” There’s a reason why the internet is teeming with blog posts. There are actually so many that often we can feel like our own content will get washed away in the competition. Fortunately for you, there are millions upon millions of people who search for blog posts every day, and according to where you’re located and your specific keywords and reputation, you’re still going to be seen. 

According to Optinmonster, each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion blog pages. That’s a lot. Even if no one is going to read your blog post from start to finish, creating that content is essential for increasing your position on search engines and giving potential customers and clients a place to start on your website. They might overlook that you’ve listed your advice for getting rid of dandruff, but if you’re selling hair care products and they’ve searched products for scalp care, your blog is going to position your brand to attract that customer to take a look at what you’re selling. 

It is still very much important that businesses still focus on blogging as a form of marketing, however, not many are embracing it as well as they should. While you may be paying for sponsored posts on Tiktok because that’s where you think you’ll find your audience, having a blog will still create a personal connection and, other than the cost of the writer if you don’t feel you can do it yourself, it’s free. 

Here’s how you can increase the chances that your blog is going to stand out:

Do your keyword research based on local results. 

I usually ask my clients if they have any keywords they’d like included in their blogs and many respond with one or two words that are so completely generic that the odds are that, yes, your blog post might get lost. It’s important to focus on local keywords that your target audience will be more likely to search. In my opinion, I suggest using your location at least twice in your blog post. Use your city, other names for your neighbourhood, and your province or country too. Don’t go overboard, though, as you want your content to still be readable.

“Writers near me” is not a key phrase you need to include in your blog posts. In this situation, Google is going to automatically generate business listings and websites based on your location. Don’t use “near me” in your blog posts.  “Writers in Kingston, Ontario” is better because it localizes your content. If you’re a real estate agent, for example, using phrases like “how to find an agent in Kingston” and similar keywords that people are likely to use when Googling will increase your chances of rising to the top of search results. 

Answer a question your brand often gets asked

Many businesses aren’t sure what to discuss in their blog posts that will attract readers. If your topic is too general, your blog will be less likely to appear in the huge amount of search results associated with it. Instead, if you narrow it down to answer a question specific to your business, the right readers will find you. Plus, it’s adding value and thought leadership specific to your industry and brand.  

Put enough emphasis on optimizing your content title as well. For example, a blog titled “how to write a blog” is going to result in some serious search results with an unlikelihood that your brand new post will show up first (especially if you haven’t been consistently updating your blog on a regular basis). Instead, your title could be more unique and specific, such as “the right way to blog in 2022.” SEO also loves shorter titles (keep the longer ones as a meta description) with the relevant keyword included as well. 

Let’s say you’re a consulting agency that helps non-profits located in Toronto to discover new ways to fundraise. A general blog topic would be “How can nonprofits raise money.” A more specific blog topic would be “ten ways nonprofits can fundraise the money they need in less than a month.” 

Try sponsoring your blog post link on Google

What’s great about Google - and sometimes not so great - is that businesses can sponsor a page or link from their website so that it’s more likely to show up at the top of search results. If you Google anything right now, you’re going to see a few listings at the top that say “Ad” next to them. If you take a closer look, you’ll see that these aren’t traditional ads but often an article or service page. Many of these sponsored “ads” are my recognizable, trusted brands, but some are from local businesses as well. 

To sponsor an ad on Google using Adwords, build your blog post and publish it. You can then use the Keyword Planner on Google Adwords. 

Keep your keywords specific. The broad the keyword, the more expensive it’s going to be per click. You want to find words that have lower competition. You can also choose whether your keywords will be global or local. 

To increase the likelihood of your blogs making it to the top of search results, turn off Content Network and choose Google Search Only. This will work best with AdSense and is the best way to promote results if you’re new to Adwords. 

Don’t want to write your own blogs? Many businesses cringe at the idea of blog writing, but I am here to help. Reach out for a conversation today!