Continuing the theme of previous posts, the title refers to a line from the TV series Firefly.
It is a conversation between Captain Mal and Jayne, and it goes as follows:
Mal: How come you didn’t turn on me, Jayne?
Jayne: Money wasn’t good enough.
Mal: What happens when it is?
Jayne: [smiling] Well… that’ll be an interesting day.
It’s a very valid question, given that Jayne is a man driven by money interest. In fact he joined the crew, and turned on his previous compatriots, for a promise of better pay and his own bunk. There is good reason to suspect he might do the same when a better opportunity presents itself.
As usual, Firefly has something to teach us, and this time the topic is:
What should be the focus of your blog?
Your job with your blog is to make it so good that when the time comes for your reader to make a purchasing decision, they will come to you. Even though they have likely been pitched the same or similar product or service from someone else. Because people like doing business with people they know, like and trust. When you blog effectively, the readers of your blog will start feeling like they know you. That creates a sense of trust and loyalty that no amount of advertising can buy.
This is something most fledgling bloggers struggle with as they contemplate what they will be writing about. Don’t worry, you will soon get past the fledgling stage, and have air under your wings.
There is a way to make this easier to decide on. The focus of your blog should be to provide so much value for your readers and customers that they eagerly wait for the next thing you are going to bring them. If you bring them enough good value, then when they are ready to make a purchasing decision, they will come back to you.
Blogging effectively
Blogging effectively means focusing on areas of your readers life where you can provide outstanding value. If your expertise is health, give them health tips. Because it’s a blog, you can get really specific. Perhaps today you will be writing for that office worker, who is sitting by a computer screen for 8+ hours each day, and is dealing with “tech-neck”. Tomorrow you might be addressing those who are in an occupation that puts them at risk for repetitive stress injuries. The day after that you’ll be providing self care tips for athletes wanting to avoid injuries. Remember, you don’t necessarily always spin it around a product or service you provide.
Sometimes you might even link out to another website that provides a product or service that is complimentary to yours, but non-competitive. If you always focus on what serves your readers, your target audience, you can be sure to keep their attention and earn their loyalty.
Your job as a blogger is to make sure that the connection you create with your reader is strong enough, that they will come back to you, in spite of all the competition out there, because the “money wasn’t good enough”. In other words, make yourself unforgettable. Create so much value that your you stay top of mind with your audience, even in the flood of information-overload that is the internet. And most importantly, entice them to join your email list. That should be the most important role of your blog.
A great blog creates return visitors to your website
You know those favorite blogs or websites out there that you keep returning to? You return because you know that even if you don’t find what you are looking for, you will find something of value to you, whether it is business advice or a good laugh. And you keep coming back, because you have not been disappointed in the past. Past experience makes you look forward to seeing the weekly newsletter arrive in your email inbox, and eagerly open it to see what new gems you might find this time.
Blogging effectively means you become that resource for your readers, and you’ll see that, like Jayne, they won’t turn on you.
Want a suggestion on one way you can do that?
Check this tip, to do it in way that nobody else can ever successfully copy