(Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Rapid River Software and the view expressed in this video is just my review)
Setting up the blog filter plugin for your WordPress blog
Focus on structuring your blog posts with these tips
As your eyes move down this blog post (assuming you have eyes and are not a bot), you’re probably not reading. You’re skimming. Scanning for information that’s relevant to you and to get the overall idea of this blog post.
15 seconds – that’s the average time a reader spends focusing on a blog post before they move on to other parts of the site. Statistics may suggest that 55% of users are prone to this type of behaviour.
In light of this, it’s easy to see how important it is that you keep your site’s visitors constantly engaged. Consistent content that adds value can ultimately convert casual readers into warm prospects. So; how exactly can you create engaging blog posts?
While an array of factors may be involved, one of the most integral components of a great blog post is structure. With proper structure, readers will probably be more willing to sit through and share your posts, subscribe to your social media channels and become loyal followers of your brand. Here are a few basic tips to help ensure that your blog posts are well-structured and ready for your audience and for enhanced brand awareness.
Craft a captivating headline
Plenty of content specialists who deal with organic digital marketing may tell you that the bulk of your article’s bite lies in the catchy title you give it. Until you can come up with a great headline, you might as well not start writing your blog post just yet.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, even if you have great content, readers probably won’t be compelled to read through it (or even look at it) if the title is bland. Secondly, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) often requires that keywords be incorporated into titles and content in order for your articles to get picked up. If, for instance, your keyword is cooking tips, get this keyword to appear in your title and early on in the body of your content.
When you write longer posts, you can leverage the power of long-tail keywords and latent semantic indexing. The spread of keywords creates a more effective matrix for potentially getting ranked on search engines.
Follow up with a good intro
Once readers are engaged with your headline and click on your post, the introduction of your write-up should maintain the same magnetic rhythm. Creating an engaging introduction can be a little tricky, but you don’t have to come up with an award-winning masterpiece. Just make sure that you have a fairly effective hook, in order to keep your readers engaged.
There are three main ways to give your intro a juicy hook. Either present a problem that your reader can relate to, use statistics or solid facts to evoke an emotional response (like fear), or ask a simple but thought-provoking question. Set the tone for the rest of the article.
Apply a variety of keywords throughout
Remember that SEO is a big part of writing blog posts for businesses. They should be used to build an online presence and gradually rise up the ranks in search. An array of different keywords that are related to your industry (and the article) should be included.
Don’t just apply a keyword to the title and introduction. Distribute a variety of them throughout the body. The longer your post is, the more opportunities there are for you to use different keywords. In order to pull readers through SEO, you should think like your readers. What would they be searching for? How many ways can you search for that particular subject? If “writing good headlines” is one search term, consider “creating killer headlines”, “how to write titles” and “effective headlines”.
Use plenty of links in your body
Search engines are more inclined to pick up on posts that contain links. These can be links to other related posts within your site or to external sites and resources that add value to the topic. Let’s say that you mention a certain marketing term in the body of your article that’s about digital marketing.
This can be a great opportunity to either link that word to another post within your site or an external source that delves deeper into the explanation of the term. This can do wonders for your SEO and your post’s structure and your visitors will likely appreciate the additional information as well.
Use other forms of media
As long as you don’t overdo it, multimedia can enhance and add value to your blog post. A picture or videos can complement your written content beautifully. Just be careful not to leave your blog post section crowded with too many distractions. In fact, be sure not to clutter your entire site with too many Call To Actions and Advertisements, because these issues can reduce the readability of your blog posts.
Sub-Headings and Lists are great too
It may be a very common format, but it’s probably common because it works. Using subheadings (H2 and H3) can help make your post easier to read and let people focus on key points. List articles (also known as listicles) are also fantastic ways to structure a blog post – simply list down a bunch of options (like places to eat or tips in numerical order). People appreciate this clean and simple approach to blog posts.
Blog posts. These digital marketing tools can make for powerful additions to your content marketing arsenal. Use a proper structure that optimizes readability, engagement, and simplicity. If you get structure right, you may just garner more traction than you ever expected.
Feel free to mix and match, pick and choose. Like parts of a car. Just try not to deviate too far from this core structure
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Some tips for spotting interior design trends
They show up on Instagram feeds. They can be seen on billboards and spotted in crowds and, although you may not follow trends, they have most probably influenced a decision you’ve made at some point in your life.
Trends play such a big part in the way people decorate their homes and in the implementation of ideas that the interior design landscape is practically built on the latest colour choices and furniture sets. It doesn’t matter how you felt about millennial pink, or whether you were into the mcm trend (obsession) years later.
Like it or not, these trends probably have a bigger influence on the decisions that drive how your customers behave than you think.
So, when it comes to interior design trends, how could you possibly stay ahead of the curve?
Here are a few tips that might help.
First, let’s try to understand what exactly a trend is
In a nutshell, a trend can be defined as a general tendency or direction in which something will move, transition or develop. In particular, this refers to the shift in mentality or behaviour of a general (or specific) group of people, influencing them to take action in some way, shape or form.
It’s easy to confuse trends with ‘fads’. While these increase rapidly (only to decline almost immediately), trends tend to last much longer than fads, and they often have a bigger impact on society.
There are no hard and fast rules for spotting trends
Trends are usually revealed over time and can stem from a variety of sources.
It’s difficult to say exactly where or when a trend might begin and end.
This is why virtually every industry has experts that focus on observing behaviour and determining trends.
Look out for patterns
A certain type of tile may be gaining popularity or a specific strand of blue might be popping up in every home you enter.
The best way to effectively spot trends is to keep an eye on multiple sources of info for an extended period of time. Once you begin to notice changes, acknowledge them and keep track of what you observe.
Connect the dots
Once you actually begin to notice certain patterns, draw connections between your observations and the re-occurring themes that you keep coming across.
Then, assess potential trends to see if they really are making a mark on the current landscape of interior design. This could help you accurately estimate the direction of trends in the near future.
Use your senses
Trend-spotting is a task that requires a certain level of awareness. You need to keep your senses sharp.
Learn about the world on a general level and you should be able to quickly notice upcoming changes.
Start by reading, watching and listening to good sources of information including general interest news outlets, blogs, reports, magazines and conversations.
Read a lot.
You’ve probably heard it said that successful entrepreneurs have this trait in common. If you’re running your own interior design firm or practice, take note that reading could affect entrepreneurial skill and ability.
Think outside your industry
Trends aren’t always confined to just one niche. Expand your horizons and you might find that the same trends pop up in several places.
They are fluid concepts that can often be applied to more than just a home/space. Our world is interconnected.
Keep an eye on developments in other fields and you might just find a trend that’s closer to home than you think.
Don’t forget about comeback trends
Trends sometimes have a tendency to repeat themselves.
For example, the emergence of hothouse flowers and drapery panels (originally a floral aesthetic that was also popular in the ’80s) might indicate a recycling trend.
Tap into social media
Social media platforms have made such an impact on so many of our lives.
It seems that even designers and architects are finding the words “make it Instagrammable” on their retail clients’ briefs.
Social media has influenced the way we communicate and value design. One problem with using social media is that trends may not have as much authenticity or originality (being by-products of copies) and lack longevity. So be careful with just how much you rely on what’s happening on social media.
Expect trends to come and go, just like the opportunities that come with them. Sharpen your awareness about the world around you and observe things that are happening on other platforms and in other industries if you’re looking to stay on top of your interior design game and not be rendered obsolete. Consider these and the other tips mentioned earlier and, if you haven’t yet, try using them on your trend-spotting journey today!
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Palindrome is on a mission to revolutionise blog posts and change how businesses get their blogs run
Check out this Interior design blog post that our team dealt with.
If you’d like our content professionals to handle your blog posts, contact us on our website now!
Clarifying 3 PropTech terms that many people might not understand
Conventional industries like property and finance appear to be going through an interesting shift, brought about by the power of digital transformation.
Buzzwords like “Fintech” and “PropTech” (along with their related terms) may have given rise to confusion (particularly among the general population).
You could probably figure out that PropTech has something to do with property and technology, but what exactly is it?
Let’s help clear things up. Here are 3 examples of some PropTech terms that people might get wrong.
What is PropTech?
PropTech is empowered by digital transformation and made up of innovative solutions within commercial real estate that are driven by technology. PropTech includes new software and hardware, as well as materials and manufacturing processes.
It’s rooted in the digital landscape and paves the way for more efficient systems that relate to new consumption patterns.
It’s a way to optimize the way people engage with real estate and deals with things like researching, renting, buying, selling and managing a property.
Some of PropTech’s ‘techie’ terms and concepts might sound like jargon. However, with a basic understanding of core real estate ideas and new tech tools, a clearer understanding of PropTech can be achieved.
Real estate is the largest asset class in the US, and as a result, new trends have emerged. From coworking to coliving, innovation shapes and fulfils new norms and market demands.
The Shared Workplace
Shared spaces have become quite commonplace and can offer a popular, more cost-effective alternative to renting a full commercial or residential unit.
The Shared Office Layout consists of two or more workers sharing private offices. However, the shared workplace you might probably hear about these days consists of business owners and their employees working under the same roof as other business owners and other employees.
It’s anticipated that by 2020 shared workplaces may overtake traditional serviced offices.
Entrepreneurs, start-ups, freelancers and even entire corporations are beginning to share privileges and utilities through coworking spaces – leading to a more immersive working experience that includes flexible lease options and location benefits. It seems that the future of real estate and the growth of the Sharing Economy are connected.
Online Property Listing and Digital Trading
You can think of online property listings as digital marketplaces (somewhat like an evolution of the Yellow Pages). They started off as platforms for listing residential, retail and commercial properties.
Now, they’ve moved front and centre when it comes to dealing with real estate. Some even argue that property listings have significantly reduced the roles of traditional real estate agents and brokers, who offer their services at relatively high charges. These platforms often require nominal fees and bring an added dose of convenience.
There’s also something called a Multiple Listing Service, which is used by groups of real estate brokers that band together and create their own digital databases.
They get to see one another’s listings of properties for sale, so both the listing and selling broker can benefit by consolidating and sharing information as well as by sharing commissions.
These days, buyers can search through online resources for real estate options. However, an MLS is still used quite frequently (mainly due to convenience).
Smart Homes
The term ‘smart home’ essentially describes a house/residential property that’s fitted with an advanced communication network. A variety of appliances and systems are integrated.
These machines can be remotely controlled, accessed and monitored by a homeowner for many purposes, ranging from surveillance and security to convenience and entertainment.
Smart devices often use smartphone apps and the internet to accomplish different tasks. You can watch your pets with smart security cameras, control smart lights, monitor temperatures with smart thermostats or get warned through an app if your door is opened.
The smart home trend is part and parcel of the emergence of IoT. The smart home security market could grow to 22 billion U.S. dollars worldwide in size by 2021.
Home-buyers can complete property purchases virtually, costs can be reduced and the aspect of convenience can be optimized through PropTech. We may very well be living through a huge shift in the way the entire real estate sector functions. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs who look to build brand awareness through organic digital content could stand to benefit.
With so much happening, a clear grasp of core ideas driving this shift can be achieved by understanding and demystifying its vocabulary.
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Palindrome is on a mission to revolutionise blog posts and change how businesses get their blogs run
Check out this PropTech blog post that our team dealt with and this one too
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4 ways hiring fintech writers can make more sense than hiring other writers
Fintech can be said to be aimed, in part, at improving the delivery of financial services, making them even more accessible to the public. It may still be an emerging industry, however, fintech investments globally apparently rose to $55.3 billion in 2018, purportedly more than double the $26.7 billion in 2017.
The finance industry is made up of technicalities and jargon that may be difficult for the layman to understand. However, fintech providers should think about conveying difficult concepts, turning them into simple and easily digestible pieces of information for the benefit of consumers (or other businesses).
Writing financial content might prove challenging. This can be a core reason to get an experienced fintech writer. Here are a few other reasons why these individuals can help.
Fintech writers may be better at understanding technicalities
Writers that focus on fintech content may generally also understand the nature of b2b writing. With a firm grasp on financial jargon, you can expect these individuals to know how to translate the industry’s deeper concepts into simpler, more digestible posts for readers. On top of this, skilled professional writers can be said to be able to relay information without dumbing it down.
Many fintech writers might also be fairly consistent learners
Although this can probably be said about other kinds of serious writers, fintech writers should be more focused on industry trends and updates. You can expect years of compiling research for clients to have made them agile learners who are able to gauge which sources can be trusted and which ones can’t. Through research, a professional fintech writer can be expected to know how to approach the latest investment strategies and technological developments, p2p lending, cryptocurrency issues and more.
Garnering attention
Let’s face it, highly technical material can be dull to read for people. The less appealing your content, the less engagement you can expect from readers. Pro writers who are trained to make your content stand out through narrative and stylistic elements that can be enjoyed while being understood can be great assets. fintech writers who are masters at taking highly technical facts and injecting personality, clarity, and boldness can help you command attention and enhance your brand’s reputation as a thought leader.
They can help you build authority
Your content marketing tactics may be used to help position your brand as a thought leader. This can come in handy, particularly if you’re interested in the longterm growth of your brand equity. One of the most important skills in fintech writing involves making content relatable without losing the essence of the information that’s being conveyed. Experienced fintech writers may, for example, use analogies to depict financial concepts that are hard to understand, garnering interest by writing around what’s relevant or interesting at a particular point in time.
The financial industry is a space that appears to be quite abuzz with many exciting opportunities as of late. As you grow your fintech business, don’t forget to differentiate yourself from your competitors. A team of skilled fintech writers can be a powerful part of your marketing arsenal, helping you raise awareness, contribute to key discussions and make an impact on your audience.
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Palindrome is on a mission to revolutionise blog posts and change how businesses get their blogs run
Check out this fintech blog post that our team dealt with
If you’d like our content professionals to handle your blog posts, contact us on our website now!
Looking to export? Here are 5 ways your own English blog posts can help
The exporting process can seem challenging. No matter which sector your business falls into, opening up your products or services to international markets can lead to some amazing opportunities. However, entering new markets can be difficult.
Thankfully, high-speed connectivity and the growing power of the internet have made marketing to foreign customers much easier. Content creation in the form of your own blog posts can help you gain worldwide exposure for your business.
Here are a few things to take note of.
55% of marketers consider blogging their top inbound marketing priority
Having a blog for your business can be considered important in many ways. As a component in a modern content marketing strategy, this tool can be a cost-effective and popular way for businesses to build authority and grow their presence through information. Content marketing statistics from HubSpot apparently show that marketers prioritise blogs over all other inbound marketing strategies.
Blogs can help with Search Engine Optimization
The internet can be an incredibly powerful way to connect with potential customers overseas. If search engines prioritise fresh, valuable content, consistently publishing blog posts can provide Google with new content to index. This can, in turn, bring about opportunities for you to use keywords that increase visibility on search engine results pages (SERPS).
Blogs can grow your online presence
With a growing online presence, the possibility that people in other markets will find your business blog posts (and therefore your website) can go up. A wealth of SEO, as well as leads, can be generated through consistently publishing blog posts and, as an added bonus, your business can benefit from backlinks when other websites begin to link to your blog posts. Search engines may consider backlinks such as these as an endorsement of your authority.
64% of B2B marketers would rather outsource their blog writing
According to research from Orbit Media, a large portion of B2B marketers consider blogs as so important that they are willing to use specialists to write them. One of the biggest advantages of business blogs is that they are extremely cost-effective in comparison to other marketing efforts (such as PPC advertising).
Statistics show that blogs can gradually generate organic leads and garner legitimate interest in a product or service, with results outweighing the cost of hiring writers. Many successful entrepreneurs have used their own blogs to increase exposure across the globe, with a large portion of them hiring writers for consistent content creation.
It can help establish your business as an industry leader
Using English blog posts with valuable, expert information revolving around your industry can, in time, help your website be seen as a go-to resource for helpful, informative content. This can eventually lead to higher conversion rates, and build your business up as an authority in your industry. This can go a long way when exporting.
Consistent and well-targeted blog posts can be powerful when looking to enter saturated international markets. They can help your business stand out from the crowd and establish your brand as an authority that has advice that’s worth listening to.
Informative content can revolve around entrepreneurial skills or proper idea implementation strategies that help readers solve their own problems. Either way, you can look forward to consistent and beneficial posts doing something for your brand and business in the long run.
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Palindrome is on a mission to revolutionise blog posts and change how businesses get their blogs run
If you’d like our content professionals to handle your blog posts, contact us on our website now!