Hey everyone,
I hope you’re all doing well!
This past week has been quite an enlightening experience for me as I had the opportunity to get some training from my mentor, Glenn, an expert in the blogging world. I had reached out to him to take a look at my website because, until now, I never had anyone review it to ensure everything was in tip-top shape. Glenn’s feedback was invaluable, and I’m excited to share the insights and improvements he suggested. Additionally, I have another blog post that touches a little on blogging, which you can read here. Today I’m going to go into more detail of what should be in a blog post, and how your website should be set up. Of course I’m still working diligently on my welcome sequence. I’m getting ready to write my eighth email, so it is coming along slowly but surly!
Getting the Green Light with a Few Tweaks
First and foremost, Glenn gave my blog and website a thumbs up for the most part, which was a huge relief! He mentioned that my blog was pretty good overall but pointed out a few tweaks that could make it even better. Here’s a breakdown of the key advice he provided:
Structuring Your Website for Maximum Impact
1. Static Home Page: Glenn recommended having a static page as my home page. This page should feature a welcoming picture of yourself along with an introduction that explains why I started the blog. This personal touch helps visitors connect with you from the get-go. From there, guide them to your About page to learn more about you and then direct them to your first blog post for the full experience.
2. Strategic Sidebar Placement: He emphasized the importance of placing your lead magnet (freebie) at the top of your sidebar. This makes it easy for visitors to opt-in to your email list. Below the lead magnet, include whatever product or service you’re trying to sell. And if you have any affiliate products that you’re an affiliate to, those should follow suit in the sidebar.
3. Crafting a Clear and Concise Website Menu: A well-organized main menu is essential for a website because it enhances user navigation by clearly presenting key sections such as Home, Blog, About, and Contact. It should be kept short and clean-looking to avoid overwhelming the viewer with too many options.
While there are countless ways to add personal touches to your website, Glenn’s insights emphasize focusing on foundational elements that enhance user engagement and functionality. These practices not only help visitors connect with your content but also streamline their journey through your site, enhancing overall user experience and effectiveness.
Crafting the Perfect Blog Post
4. Conversational Openings: Glenn highlighted the importance of starting your blog posts with a conversational tone before diving into the main topic. This approach engages readers and makes them feel more connected to your content. Your posts should have a clear structure: an engaging opening, an informative body, and a strong conclusion.
5. Asking Questions to Encourage Comments: At the end of your posts, instead of just asking for comments, pose specific questions related to the content. This strategy makes readers feel more inclined to leave a comment because you’ve asked for their input directly.
6. Clickable Images: Glenn shared an interesting tip about making images in your blog posts clickable. Link the images to the URL of the actual post they’re in. When readers click on an image, it takes them back to the same page. This tactic, known as a micro-commitment, increases their engagement and investment in your content. It sounds silly but he said it works!
Enhancing User Engagement
7.Internal Hyperlinks: Incorporate internal hyperlinks within your posts. These links direct readers to other posts on your blog, which helps with SEO rankings and keeps readers on your site longer. Glenn explained that search engines pick up on these internal links, improving your SEO.
8. External Links: You should always ensure that external links open in a separate tab. This allows readers to view additional information without leaving your website. When they close the new tab, they will be returned to your original page, ensuring that your site remains their primary focus. This approach enhances user experience by providing valuable information without disrupting their browsing on your website.
Building a Blogging Community
9. Commenting on Other Blogs:
One of the most effective ways to drive traffic to your blog is by engaging with other bloggers. Glenn advised doing your research to find active bloggers in your niche and building relationships with them. Commenting on their posts not only drives traffic to your blog but also fosters a supportive blogging community.
What have we learned?
1. A static home page with a personal touch and strategic sidebar placement can enhance visitor engagement.
2. Starting blog posts with a conversational tone and asking specific questions at the end encourages reader interaction and comments.
3. Using internal hyperlinks and clickable images can improve SEO and keep readers engaged longer on the site.
The insights and strategies Glenn shared with me have been incredibly helpful in refining my blog and website. Implementing these tweaks has already made a noticeable difference in how my blog looks and feels. If you look closely you will see some of the changes I made with this blog post today, referring to internal links, external links, my pictures, and I created a static page for website. If you’re looking to improve your blog, I highly recommend considering these tips. Blogging is a journey, and continuous learning and adaptation are key to success.
Don’t forget to get your free guide here to starting your own affiliate marketing business! You can also stay connected by checking out all my social media platforms here.
Thank you for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried any of these strategies? Do you have any other tips to share? Leave a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going!
I hope everyone has a fantastic week! Until next time.
Hi Meredith – Glenn is the Master of blogs as well as so many other things! Thank you for sharing his thoughts with us so that I can learn as well. There’s such great valuable information in this post that I plan to reread it and hopefully apply some of the concepts to improve my blog. Hope you have a wonderful day and a wonderful weekend!
Hi Ernie,
Absolutely! It’s wonderful to hear you’re finding Glenn’s advice so valuable! Taking the time to absorb and apply these insights can truly elevate your blog’s impact. I’m excited for you to explore how these concepts can uniquely shape your content and deepen your connection with your readers. Have a fantastic day ahead, and a wonderful weekend too!
Meredith
Thanks for sharing these insights, Meredith! I love the emphasis on crafting a conversational tone in blog posts—makes such a difference in reader engagement. I have been taught to make it like a conversation with a friend, and instead of writing it you can talk into a transcribing app to ensure it captures your voice. Excited to see your blog evolve with these tweaks!
Hi Alison,
You’re welcome! Crafting that conversational tone really does make a world of difference, doesn’t it? It’s like inviting your readers into a friendly chat over coffee. Using a transcribing app sounds like a brilliant way to capture your authentic voice. I will have to try that sometime. It’s all about making your blog feel genuine and personal. Wishing you all the best and thank you for your comment!
Meredith
An exceptional post, Meredith. Great insights and for me it is very timely. I will be using your post to make my blog better. I love the layout of your post as well. Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Jordan,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you found the post insightful and timely. It’s wonderful to know that it will help improve your blog. I put a lot of thought into the layout, so I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a fantastic weekend!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Great post! As Jordan mentioned, I will also be taking a lot of what you’ve mentioned here back to my blog to tweak it & to make it better.
It’s always the small things that matter the most doesn’t it? a little tweak here, another there and boom! you’ve got subscribers ready to read and listen to what you’ve got to say.
Great job & looking forward to future blogs!
Hi Marc,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you found the post helpful and that you’re planning to apply some of the insights to your own blog. You’re absolutely right,it’s often the small tweaks that make the biggest difference. I’m excited to see how these changes will help you engage with your audience and grow your subscriber base.
Looking forward to reading your future posts as well. Keep up the great work!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Thank you for sharing your recent experience and the invaluable advice from Glenn! It’s always inspiring to see the positive impact that mentorship and expert feedback can have on our blogging journey.
I especially appreciate the detailed breakdown of how to enhance both the website structure and individual blog posts. The tips on having a static home page, strategic sidebar placement, and a clear website menu are fantastic. I can see how these adjustments can make a site more welcoming and engaging for visitors.
The advice on crafting conversational blog posts and asking specific questions to encourage comments is also very insightful. I’m definitely going to try the clickable images tip—it’s such a smart way to boost engagement!
Incorporating internal and external links as Glenn suggested sounds like a great way to improve SEO and keep readers on the blog longer. Your emphasis on community-building by engaging with other bloggers is something I need to focus on more.
It’s great to see how you’ve already started implementing these strategies. Your blog is looking better than ever! Thank you again for the practical tips and for sharing your progress. Looking forward to seeing more updates and learning from your journey.
Have a fantastic week!
Hi Ezequel,
I’m glad you found Glenn’s advice helpful! It’s amazing how small changes like website structure and conversational posts can make such a big difference.
I’m excited to hear you’re going to try the clickable images tip. It’s a great way to boost engagement. Incorporating internal and external links will definitely help with SEO and reader retention, and building a community with other bloggers is always rewarding.
Thank you for your support. Looking forward to sharing more updates and tips with you!
Have a fantastic week!
Meredith
I really enjoyed reading about your recent insights from Glenn on improving your blog and website! It’s so cool how you’re implementing changes like a static home page and strategic sidebar placements. I totally get the importance of starting with a personal touch and structuring blog posts to engage readers right from the start. Keep up the awesome work, and thanks for sharing these valuable tips. Looking forward to seeing more of your blog journey unfold!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to hear that you found the insights from Glenn helpful. Implementing those changes has been a great learning experience, and I’m happy to hear that the personal touch and strategic structuring made a positive impact on you. Your support and encouragement truly inspire me to keep getting better. Thanks again, and I look forward to sharing more of this journey with you!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Thank you for this lovely post. It has confirmed a few things I’ve been doing without knowing for sure so thanks!!
A personal intro and asking questions is a great way to engage, and the free offer is placed strategically on the sidebar.
I also love the SEO as part of the WordPress site and delight in adding hyperlinks that take me from red (need improvement) to green light (Good)
I see the rationale for the static home page and yours looks great but need time to consider if it would work for me as well.
And of course, your blog has so much to offer so not sure why you were nervous, but I get that you want it to be the best it can be.
Hi Eleanor,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It means a lot to hear that you found value in the post and that some of the strategies I mentioned resonate with your own approach. I must admit, I felt a bit nervous about my blog because, as I mentioned to Glenn, he’s earned quite a reputation as the blog master. Being a bit of a perfectionist myself, I always aim to ensure everything is just right before sharing it. Your understanding and encouragement really mean a lot as I continue to refine and improve my blog. Thanks again! 😊
Meredith
Meredith, thanks for your post this week as I’ve taken some notes about what should go into a static home page.
And on Glenn’s advice for building a blogging community, I am on my third week of engaging in the activity of blog sharing – even if they don’t have their comments open. Glenn states that this may seem counter-intuitive but it will likely get the attention of each blogger that you do this for.
Hey Robert,
Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you found the notes helpful for your static home page.
As for Glenn’s advice, it sounds like you’re making great progress! Engaging with other blogs, even if they don’t have comments open, can really help build those connections. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Keep up the good work, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes you!
Meredith
Hi Meredith!
Great Stuff! I too got some critiquing from Glenn the master. And yes all his points are great, and you have adapted them to your website beautifully. I have done some changes on mine as well but have a lot more stuff to add and change still to mine , that I will be doing soon. Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading more of your blog posts.
Take Care,
Jim O’Brien
Hi Jim,
Thanks so much! It’s awesome that you’re getting tips from Glenn too! He’s definitely the master. I appreciate your kind words about my website, and it sounds like you’re making some great updates to yours as well. It’s all a work in progress, right?
Looking forward to seeing your changes and reading more of your posts too!
Meredith
Hi Meredith, very helpful tips. My blog will rock after I finish implementing your recommendations. The home page being a fixed page is the major thing I need to implement. I will do it I soon as I complete also my email workflow. Glenn knows what he is doing. One thing I found difficult with external blog hopping is to find other blogs on our niche. I struggle with that. Many blogs that pops out in the search engines are professional and very long companies’ blog with no comment sections and a lot of ads. To help me, I looked into Glenn’s blog comment section to find other bloggers. (don’t tell him I’m steeling his friends )😄
On this, have a good day!
Martin
Hi Martin,
I’m so glad to hear that you found the tips helpful! Your blog is definitely going to shine once you implement all the changes. Having a static home page can make such a big difference in how visitors experience your site.
It’s great that you’re working on your email workflow too. Getting that in place will really help you engage with your audience more effectively. And yes, Glenn truly knows his stuff; we’re lucky to have his insights.
I totally understand the challenge of finding other blogs in our niche. It can be tricky with all the professional, ad-heavy blogs out there. Your idea of using Glenn’s blog comment section to find other bloggers is brilliant (your secret is safe with me! 😄). Building connections with other bloggers can be so valuable, and it’s always nice to find a community that understands what you’re doing.
Keep up the great work, and I can’t wait to see your blog flourish!
Have a fantastic day!
Meredith
The beautiful thing about our community is our willingness to share what we’ve learned. This is an act of generosity and kindness. I like the tips Glenn shared with you! And you in turn shared with us!! Thanks again!
Hi Kate,
Our community truly thrives on the generosity and willingness of everyone to share their knowledge and experiences. I’m grateful for Glenn’s tips and even more thankful for the opportunity to pass them along. Your appreciation means a lot, and I’m glad to be a part of such a supportive group. Thanks, Kate!
Meredith
Meredith, Great insights! It’s awesome to see how Glenn’s feedback has helped refine your blog. Your emphasis on structuring the website for better user engagement and crafting blog posts with a conversational tone and specific questions is spot on. The tip about making images clickable and using internal links is really clever for keeping readers engaged. Thanks for sharing these valuable strategies! Atif
Hi Atif,
Thank you for your thoughtful message! I’m really glad you found Glenn’s feedback and the strategies I’ve shared useful. Structuring my website and crafting engaging content have been key focuses for me, and it’s great to hear that these tips are helpful for you. I appreciate your support!
Meredith
Thank you for sharing these extremely useful tips from Glenn. I’ll be incorporating them for my own website as soon as I can. You site is now looking really professional and is easy on the eye. Well done.
Hi Andy,
Thanks! I’m glad you find the tips helpful. It’s been quite a journey getting the site to this point, but hearing that it looks professional and easy to navigate makes it all worth it. Let me know if you need any more pointers or have questions as you work on your own site!
Meredith