She may be a self-proclaimed 'piss-taking mummy blogger' by title, but Mel Sorini challenges the norm to create engaging lifestyle blogs that will literally make you LOL.
I know what you're thinking, what does this have to do with blogging for business? Well, her work has been republished by the likes of Mamamia and the Huffington Post so it's safe to say this blogger knows what's up. Pay attention, because there is A LOT we can learn from Mel when putting pen to paper for our own business.
Where It All Began
Mel's blogging journey started when she found herself at home with her two young children and thought it was time to shed some insight on the lighter side of parenting. This led to the birth of Hugzilla.
What started as a hobby, lead to much more after one of Mel's blogs about the Thermomix was republished by Mamamia. It. Went. Viral. From this, she found herself doing radio and podcast interviews, and was even approached by other news sites and editors for paid work. Today 'Hugzilla' is renowned for being straight-to-the-point, honest and chronically sarcastic.
So, although this type of success may seem a little out of reach for those of us starting out, we sat down with Mel to get her tips on how you can get your business blog off the ground.
1. Just Get Started
Okay, let me guess, you have thought about blogging for your business for a while now, you know it's important, but you just haven't done it. Start. Now.
Mel's Motto: "Throw the rule book out and don't overthink it. Set up a blog, write a post, hit publish (eeek scary) and share it with your social networks. And don't get discouraged if you are only writing to an audience of one - it's how we all start out."
2. Be Different
As we all know, the Internet is overflowing with content. So if you want to be noticed in this crowded space of ours, you've got to think outside the box. Give a different opinion to a commonly discussed topic in your industry or simply show the human element of your business.
Mel's Motto: "Being unique - whilst also being genuine - is the best thing you can give to your readers."
3. Keep An Open Mind
Be in tune to what is happening within your industry and the world around you, inspiration for your blogs can literally come from anywhere. Chances are you'll come up with ideas when you aren't even looking for them - write them down!
Mel's Motto: "I have a draft folder of half formulated ideas that I can draw on because often I get struck by random things as I'm going about my daily life; anecdotes from awkward encounters, observations I have made or reading something online."
4. Get To The Point
One of the biggest mistakes people make when writing a blog is trying to be too elusive in the headline. Straight up, this just doesn't work. People are time poor, they want to know exactly what they're going to get from clicking on your blog. Develop a headline that is engaging and informative.
Mel's Motto: "When people are scrolling through crowded newsfeeds you need to cut through with clear and compelling headlines. You also have to promise something and you need to deliver on that promise early on or people will click straight out."
5. Consistency is Key
People crave familiarity. Create a schedule and stick to it. If you plan on posting a blog once a week, pick a day and work to it. This doesn't mean you have to write the blog at the same time, let your inspiration drive that, but aim to publish your blog consistently.
Mel's Motto: "Building consistency into your publishing schedule helps develop an audience because readers know when to expect your posts - and will even nag you if you miss a deadline."
6. Edit, Edit, Edit!
It's an old saying, your first idea isn't always your best idea. The same goes for blogging. Get your idea down when inspiration strikes but the majority of your time should be spent moulding that idea to get it exactly right.
Mel's Motto: "People are surprised when I tell them I spend 80% of my time editing, because my posts seem very off-the cuff. One of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating the importance of editing. Your first draft is never the best."
So there you have it, don't overcomplicate things. Whip out your laptop and get writing! And hey, Mel is living proof that you never know where your blog could take you.
To check out Mel's blog head to www.hugzillablog.wordpress.com. We're big fans here.
