Keep your clients (and Google) engaged with a regular posting schedule.
For almost any website owner with a blog, it’s a daunting question: How often should I post? From how much time you have available to what type of content you’re pushing, there are many factors that influence your ideal posting frequency. Here’s how to find which strategy is the right fit for your business:
Establish Goals
What are you wanting to accomplish with blogging? You may be wanting to drive more traffic to your website, have more content to share on social media or establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Figuring out your motivation can also help you decipher how often you should post. If you’re simply wanting to share the latest news, or write in-depth about your business, then once a month may suffice. But if you’re constantly adding new products or services and want to promote them, then weekly or semiweekly blogging may be better suited for your goals.
Quality over Quantity
Another thing to consider when deciphering your posting schedule is how much time you have to commit to it. Do you have the hours it takes to write long-form blog posts every single week? Or would it be more likely that you could only write one of those a month? Are you okay with shorter blog posts if it means having new content more frequently? Assess what type of posts you’re wanting — whether they’re detailed 1,000 word articles or short and snappy 300 word pieces — along with the time you have each month for blogging. The key is to not just post “for the sake of posting” and to make sure that each blog has a specific thought and goal behind it.
Finding Your Frequency
Once you’ve figured out your blog goals and worked out how much time you can give to writing, it’s time to officially find your posting frequency. The time between when Google indexes your website can be between four days and four weeks, so updating your website at least once a month will make the search engine aware that you’re still in business and active online. The lists below are merely suggestions; you should choose a posting strategy that works best for your unique business.
If you only have a few hours a month for blogging:
- Dedicate your time to one or two long-form posts (600+ words) per month that have SEO-friendly content.
- Write multiple short and sweet (300+ words) posts to publish more frequently throughout the month. These can highlight news, products, special offers and more.
If you have several hours a month for blogging:
- Write long-form posts (600+ words) once a week to make SEO-friendly content.
- Create short posts (300+ words) twice a week, with a focus on news, products, special offers and more.
Set a Schedule
Now that you’ve figured out your posting frequency, make yourself a blogging schedule and stick to it. When you have your blog ideas laid out in an easy-to-follow format, you’re more likely to actually stick to the calendar and post regularly. If blogging is a team effort, remember to assign each blog to specific team member and give them a deadline for turning it in.
Prioritize Promoting
No matter how often you’re blogging, a key element is what comes after the blogging: promoting your content. Whether it’s on your social media pages or written up in a newsletter, getting your blog posts in front of users is how they’ll learn more about your business and the services you offer. Don’t feel like you’re only allowed to promote new content either. Recycling older, but still relevant, blog posts on social media can bolster your traffic too.
If you’re still not comfortable with your blogging strategy, reach out to our team. We’ll be happy to consult with you about your blog’s impact. We offer a range of services to improve your site, including looking over Google Analytics data, providing blog ideas and even ghostwriting posts.
