Hello Reader!
What's #1 thing that will skyrocket your content strategy to the top?
(Especially in light of Google's update).
Personal narrative + subject matter expertise.
Here are 5 ways to level up.
#1. First-person experience in your blog posts.
Audiences are eating your personal stories up for breakfast.
Consequently, so is Google.
Tell your personal story.
Review a product.
Talk about wins, losses, gains, OG data.
I came across an article from Elna Cain that does this well.
What to implement
👉 Hire writers who are using B2B/SaaS tools on the regular. Do you need recommendations for writers in the B2B game? Reply to this email, and I will help you.
#2. Crowd-source experience and share it.
Say you don't have 1st-hand experience with a tool.
That's okay.
Find 5-10 experts who do have the expertise.
Interview them.
Capture their insights.
Share what they have to say.
Break the quotation mark button on your keyboard.
I use this method in the content I write for leading SaaS brands.
What to implement
When vetting a writer, ask them:
👉 What their approach to content creation is (hint: they should talk about SME interviews).
👉 To provide samples that highlight subject matter expertise.
👉 How they find subject matter experts.
#3. Add a public forum to your site.
You don't have to pay a writer to do ALL the hard work.
But you may have to pay a community manager.
Your community loves you and will talk about you.
It's B2B UGC.
And Google loves it. Plus,
What to implement
👉 This isn't an overnight transition, and it's expensive. But hiring a community manager can go a long way. Not only is it good for visibility, but it's awesome for capturing customer insight.
#4. Pivot to Reddit
Sleeping on Reddit?
Wake up and smell...the new front page of the internet!
Get discussions going that drive people to your website.
Google is bringing in Reddit convos to the prime SERP real estate.
What to implement
👉 Create a Subreddit.
👉 Hire social writers who will go above and beyond LI & Twitter.
🧑🔬 Test what works. Reddit as an SEO play is new(ish). Get out there and see what works.
#5. YouTube + content & content + YouTube.
When you share a video, include your story in the description.
When you write a new blog post, include your video in your post.
It's all about helping your audience understand your content.
Some like to read. Some like to watch. Serve ALL of your audience.
What to implement
👉 Strategic SEO for YouTube
👉 Video content. (I have a recommendation for an agency for this, too. Reply back).
Thank you for being here!
Warmly,
Ashley R. Cummings (I am currently accepting new clients. Get in touch by replying to this email.)
Sponsor | Positional
Positional is the toolset for content marketers looking to start, grow, and scale an SEO strategy.
Positional goes end-to-end with tools for keyword research, content optimization, and analytics, allowing you to optimize your channel for results — not vanity metrics. And all in one platform.
Co-founders Nate and Matt have been building SEO channels for most of the last decade. And with Positional, they are building the toolset they've always wanted.
Check it out here!
Expert Interview | Tracy Rawlinson
1. Tell me more about yourself and how you got started with your career.
So, here's the beginning of a bit of a mid-life crisis moment, lol. I'm Tracy, a freelance writer specializing in HR/L&D/leadership for B2B brands, based in the UK. I spent over 30 years working in local government in various HR, adult education, and leadership roles.
In 2021, I took the plunge, resigned, and started my own freelance writing business, and I haven't regretted it since! Leveraging my experience and qualifications to choose my niche. I was fully aware from the start that success wouldn't happen overnight and had the mindset of ‘I’m in this for the long run’.
2. What advice do you have for freelancers to land clients? What are some of the best ways they can build their business?
First off, every freelancer's journey is unique. What you see on social media about their success is just a small part of the whole picture. Although I love reading success stories from other creators, it's crucial to realize that for each success, there’s usually a two steps forward and five back process to get there.
Getting clients is challenging, and I'm not at the point where I can be relaxed about having a stable income. What works best for me is consistently marketing myself. Even if I'm fully booked, I keep sharing on social media, offering insights and expertise. It's about keeping my name and services visible. I’m now finding that potential clients are reaching to me instead of the other way around.
Apart from marketing my services, what has truly made a difference for me is investing in coaching. It changed my mindset from being “just” a freelance writer to seeing myself as a business owner. This shift in thinking has empowered me to make better decisions, choose the right clients, and confidently address issues that may not align with my values.
And if you want the details of my freelance writing business coach, feel free to reach out!
Sharpen Your Writing Skills
Content Marketing 🔥
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