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Blog Tips: How to Maximize Your Content

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Blog Tips: How to Maximize Your Content

Hey, there blogger babes, let’s talk maximizing your content, shall we?

We want to make our content as great as possible, don’t we? The funny thing about blogging (at least for me…..well… I don’t really think it’s funny, perhaps, interesting would be a better word to use here) is that by the time I hit publish on this post, my mind will already move on to the next one.

I’m not one of those bloggers who has two months’ worth of content pre-edited and ready to go. This would suck the fun out of blogging for me. I also don’t post every single day. Sometimes, when I work really hard on a particular post, I like to let it “simmer” a bit. Just publish it, let it be for a day or two before I add a new one. At the same time though, I don’t want my statistics to suffer- this is why I do my best to maximize my content.

I’ve published nearly 700 posts over the last few years and a majority of my traffic goes to those archived posts. When you maximize your content, you’re making sure that nothing gets buried and that you have a steady flow of traffic coming through. Here’s how to do it. (or…. maybe I should say that this is how I do it– BUT, it’ll work for you as well… promise!)

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR BLOG CONTENT

Maximize-blog-content

PIN YOUR ARTICLES

Tired of me talking about Pinterest? I don’t care. Sorry, not, sorry, but Pinterest is HUGE and it’s here to stay (I already talked about it here and here). If it wasn’t for Pinterest, I’d be missing out on a huge, daily flood of traffic. Pinterest is great for promoting your archived content. I noticed that a lot of bloggers have a Pinterest account, but don’t really use it, and that’s a huge mistake (unless, of course, you don’t care about expanding your audience, which is totally okay!). There are a few posts that I’ve published years ago, but still get tens of thousands of views every month, because of Pinterest.

Making sure that your blog has a Pin It button is important, but you also have to remember to pin your own articles as well. You can create a Blog Board where you only pin images/posts from your blog. I’d also recommend joining a few group boards (you can search for them right here). Once a week (or more often, depending on how many posts you’ve published) go through your archives and share a few good, older posts on Pinterest.

FORMAT

This is something that I mention quite a lot. I noticed a big difference in engagement (comments, in particular) when I started formatting my posts; using shorter paragraphs, headings, emphasizing important points, etc.. Basically, making them easier to digest. My writing style has changed over the years, so once in a while (or whenever time permits) I’ll go through a few of my old posts, and update the format. This way, when someone comes across my older posts, they’ll see the improved version which is easier to read (or skim through). Creating a better “user experience” means that when someone comes across one of your posts, they’ll be more likely to stick around.

If you’re on WordPress, I also highly recommend you install an SEO plugin like YOAST SEO– it scores and guides your posts both for readability and SEO which is very helpful.

CALL TO ACTION

In addition to displaying related posts at the end of each article, you can also use a CTA. Tell your audience that if they enjoyed this posts, they’ll also love this one, and link to relevant content. People are also much more likely to share your posts if you ask them to do so.

LINK

Another simple way to maximize your content is linking to your archived posts. I do this all the time, whenever it’s relevant. I also love it when other bloggers do it and I probably click on those links 80% of the time. As a result, I often spend 30 minutes to an hour, reading through that blog’s archives. Bonus? Internal linking is also great for SEO.  When you link internally, you’re letting the search engines know that the content you link to is relevant to your reader- to the point where they might want to stop what they’re reading and move on to the article you linked. This also, once again, creates a good user experience since you’re linking to content relevant to what your audience is reading. When doing this, make sure that you link only to relevant content and that it makes sense.

RECYCLE 

There are so many different ways you can reuse your archived content- it doesn’t have to just “sit” there. You can create a mini-series on one topic. A few years ago I decided to have a “Photography week” where I only shared photography-related posts for a few days and it pretty much transformed my blog and doubled my audience within a month. You can also use some of that older content to create an e-book and give it away to your readers for free as a bonus for signing up for your newsletter. Another way to recycle your content is to simply update it and republish it. I’ve done this a few times with some of my posts and had great results. If you have some posts that you’re particularly proud of, but at the time of publishing your audience wasn’t as large as it is now, re-publish it. I recently refreshed and re-published this post and it got picked up by Bloglovin’ (it was linked in their newsletter) and sent me a ton of new traffic and subscribers.

You can also use your archived posts as a tool for creating ideas for new content. Maybe you briefly mentioned something in one of your posts that is worth expanding into a separate post?

GO THROUGH YOUR ARCHIVES

….and update them. Your images, your format (as already mentioned), you can also add some links (link to new content within your older blog posts). This can be really time-consuming, so I definitely don’t recommend that you do it all at once. I, for instance, pay attention to my statistics and when I notice that one of my older posts is picking up on Pinterest or was mentioned on another blog or website, I give it a quick face-lift. I make sure to read through it, see if I can add any relevant links anywhere, maybe change or add a few images, etc. This definitely makes a big difference and it’s worth looking into.

All of these ideas are definitely worth looking into if you want to maximize your content. I used every single one of these strategies with great results. When making a little extra effort to maximize your content, you’re making sure that your blog has a steady flow of traffic- even if you don’t post anything new for a few days.

Any other ideas for maximizing your content?

76 Comments

  • Reply
    EdyeNicolesMakeup
    August 12, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    Such great advice! Pinterest is super helpful in growing blogs :)

    Blessings,
    Edye | gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Katie S.
    August 12, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    I will definitely be going back and updating my old posts! I just know how much time it’s going to take but it’ll be worth it! Especially now that I have a better camera for better pictures. One of my Blogger widgets is called Featured Post and I try to use that to highlight some of my older posts. I change it once or twice a week. I have a ton of holiday-related stuff so I’m excited to get those back in the rotation! Thanks as always for the spot-on advice!! ?

    Katie
    OverTheMoony.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      August 15, 2016 at 4:27 pm

      I definitely wouldn’t try to do them all at once, updating a few here and there is much easier! Thanks so much Katie!

  • Reply
    Mili Velikova
    August 12, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    I loved this post, Paula! I’m not in the position yet to re-use content, I’m still creating a lot of articles in order to grow my following but I will definitely use Pinterest and SEO plugin to help with that. Thanks once again for being so helpful, always an enjoyable read!
    Mili | The Pink Traveller

  • Reply
    Kelly Stanton
    August 12, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    Superb post! I really agree with so many points and have also learnt a thing or two which I shall put into practice!
    Love love love this post ?? Kelly xx

    http://www.KELLiLASH.com

  • Reply
    Jackie M
    August 12, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Goodness you have such useful posts! I have posted nearly all of my articles to Pinterest, but only one of them gets a substantial amount of repins. I just opened a business Pinterest account, in addition to the more personal one I already have, and I am struggling because I have very few followers. Also, I’m on WordPress, and I spoke to them about installing Yoast, and they told me since they host my site, I cannot add that plugin. They said the site already has similar plugins to boost SEO, but I am a little disappointed. I’m just going to keep at it because I only started in February and am one of those people who wants instant results. Anyway, great post. Keep it up!
    http://www.thatswhatsup.me

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      August 15, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks so much Jackie! I find Pinterest to be very easy to grow- all I make sure to do is pin a few times a day. Ever since I started doing this my following started to grow! Of course, I don’t just share my own posts, but also other posts from the web/pinterest and other blogs. I see that you’re on wordpress.com which is different from wordpress.org. You can definitely switch to a self-hosted site later on.

      • Reply
        Jackie M
        August 16, 2016 at 5:01 pm

        I think I am getting the hang of Pinterest. I get a little more traffic by using BoardBooster. Also, I didn’t know there were two types of WordPress sites, and I’m afraid to leave .com because that’s where I get the most of my traffic. However, I have been having lots of technical issues with the site, especially when I try to update things on a mobile device or add links. It takes extra time from me, which I don’t have. Did you start out on a site that wasn’t self-hosted? Thank you for all of your advice.

        • Reply
          Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
          September 3, 2016 at 12:10 pm

          I’ve been on self-hosted since the beginning. I did have another blog on .com a few years ago, but started TT on wordpress.org. I’m pretty sure that you can move your blog from .com to self-hosted wordpress.org. You’d just have to export it and import it to your own domain.

          • Jackie M
            September 6, 2016 at 5:53 pm

            Do you think I am better off that way?

          • Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
            September 13, 2016 at 2:36 pm

            If you’re thinking of ever monetizing your blog, wordpress.org is the way to go.

  • Reply
    Joanna Joy
    August 13, 2016 at 1:08 am

    This is such a great post. You always have such helpful knowledge. Thank you for sharing:)

    astylishlovestory.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Marianne
    August 13, 2016 at 1:17 am

    Paula, you have absolutely the best blogging tips! Your blog is my go-to resource for inspiration :)
    Thank you again for a great and helpful post!
    xx
    http://mariannelle.com

  • Reply
    Holly @ Mellifluous
    August 13, 2016 at 3:24 am

    Brilliant tips! I need to get better with Pinterest! I’m not even sure if I’ve optimised my images ?

  • Reply
    missgetaway
    August 13, 2016 at 4:30 am

    I definitely need to put more effort into using Pinterest.

    Love, Kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

  • Reply
    Lauren Victoria
    August 13, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Amazing tips and advice! I need to work on my Pinterest a lot more. I did start, then stopped when I went on holiday because I didn’t have the time to pin my content on to there and I haven’t got back into it since being home x

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Zoe Mountford
    August 13, 2016 at 5:53 am

    Amazing tips I really need to use pinterest more x

    Zoe Mountford x

  • Reply
    Emma Engmark
    August 13, 2016 at 8:16 am

    So helpful! I’m trying to work out pintrest, and hope it will help my blog along the way.

    http://tealattewithstyle.com/

  • Reply
    Makeup Wears Off
    August 13, 2016 at 10:04 am

    So helpful! Thanks for the great tips!!

    http://www.makeupwearsoff.com

  • Reply
    Samantha
    August 13, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Great tips! I’ve not thought of recycling posts before but it makes sense.. I also really need to utilise Pintrest more. x

    Small&Blonde♥

  • Reply
    HALE
    August 13, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    I need to start using Pinterest in terms of blogging more!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.com/

  • Reply
    Beautylymin
    August 13, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    You always have the best tips! xx

    Beautylymin| Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct Giveaway

  • Reply
    Stephanie Hartley
    August 13, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Ooooh these tips are all fab! I’ve started going through a few old posts and updating them – resizing images, editing them better, re-organising text and adding in my sign off badge. But, I’ve never considered adding headers, or completely getting rid of a post and re-uploading it now that my audience is bigger, that’s such a good idea!

    Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk

  • Reply
    Torey BeautyandBeatitudes.com
    August 13, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    These are all super helpful tips. I’ve already started going back through and editing/reformatting old posts! xo

  • Reply
    Nicola | Our Little Lives
    August 14, 2016 at 2:26 am

    Fantastic blog. Thank you ?? so many amazing tips for me to get stuck into. Only been blogging for 4 months so this will really help me. Love your website too. Keep the fab tips coming
    Nicola @ http://www.ourlittlelives.co.uk

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    August 14, 2016 at 6:11 am

    These are all fantastic tips.

  • Reply
    Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
    August 14, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    I cannot bring myself to use CTA. They just don’t go with my writing style, I guess?

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      August 15, 2016 at 5:14 pm

      I didn’t really like using it at first (it felt a little weird at first) but it just comes naturally now haha :)

  • Reply
    NuttyHiker
    August 14, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    Great tips! I just organized all my categories and added more to my menu to make articles easier to find, now I am working on my old articles by updating them and adding relevant links to other articles in my blog!

    Bridget | http://nuttyhiker.com

  • Reply
    BlushandPearls
    August 15, 2016 at 9:58 am

    As a new blogger, I appreciate you sharing these tips, which I think are great. I pinned this article, because I too love Pinterest!

  • Reply
    Tess_Sequins are the New Black
    August 15, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    I swear I pin every blog post about blogging you put out! Love your content <3
    xox Tess | Sequins are the New Black

  • Reply
    Cindy with a Heart
    August 15, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    I’ve been meaning to update a few posts and you’ve pushed me to do so. :)

  • Reply
    Jordan Kelsey
    August 16, 2016 at 7:20 am

    This is such an handy post! Soooo many amazing points that I hadn’t even thought about! This is going to be my new go-to content improving bible!
    Blog || Instagram

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    August 16, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Such useful tips as per usual, I really need to remember to link to my older posts!

    http://www.thesundaymode.com

  • Reply
    Joanna
    August 16, 2016 at 9:02 am

    Great tips, I’ve bookmarked this post and I’m going to go through my old posts during the weekend. I love that you always share bits of advice that I can’t find anywhere else!

    http://stylestandpoint.com

  • Reply
    danielle
    August 16, 2016 at 10:55 am

    thanks for the tips! i’m trying to get into using pinterest more but i’m still unsure of how to go about it. can i shoot you an email for an invite to your group board? :)

    http://www.avecdanielle.com

  • Reply
    Nazlıgül
    August 16, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    These are really good ideas that I’m trying to apply in my blog.
    Kisses,
    Nazlıgül | on my own way
    Latest POST: Hair Care for This Summer: Biopoint Beauty Elixir
    Latest VLOG: Weekend with Boyfriend

  • Reply
    Yvonne Ashon
    August 17, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    This is great. Very simple, but useful tips.
    http://www.yvesofstyle.com

  • Reply
    Ariadna Morell
    August 18, 2016 at 5:29 am

    These are such good tips, I always forget to use Pinterest! hahah x

    Ariadna || RAWR BOWS

  • Reply
    Candice Petersen
    August 18, 2016 at 10:12 am

    Thank you so much for sharing these great tips

    Candice | Beauty Candy Loves

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    August 19, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Such great tips Paula – I need to start using Pinterest more!
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.co.uk

  • Reply
    Angelina
    August 23, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    Love this tips, especially the one with pinterest. I’ll definitely start doing this xoxo

    http://popangelscloset.blogspot.rs/

  • Reply
    Kelly Stanton
    September 4, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Great post and such useful tips! Kelly xx

    http://www.KELLiLASH.com

  • Reply
    Becky's Snaps
    September 10, 2016 at 5:42 am

    Great post, and some very useful tips!
    http://beckyssnaps.wixsite.com/website

  • Reply
    Rebecca Ellis
    October 25, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    This was really intriguing! I wouldn’t have even thought about recycling a post (I love this terminology) x

    http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk

  • Reply
    Jaynie Shannon
    January 8, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    I really need to go over some of my older posts. Just to revamp them. One get a lot of attention because of Pinterest so I should really put a little work into that one!

    Jaynie Shannon | Beauty & Lifestyle

    xx

  • Reply
    Bernadette
    February 11, 2017 at 12:00 am

    Pre-writing posts may not be for everyone but for me it has massively improved my blogging consistency. Whenever uni came around i’d get so busy there would be months where my blog went without any new content. It’s not easy writing posts during uni as when I am not doing uni work I am usually a vegetable in front of my tv and not wanting to do any work haha. Then when I try and do blogging stuff i’d feel guilty because I felt as though “I should be doing uni work’. For some reason writing posts with not that urge to post it up immediately after made me start going on a blogging roll. It also allowed me to create a blogging schedule which determines the order the post will go up on the blog. I use to have all these blogging ideas and it would overwhelm me to the point where I couldn’t write posts because it would just leave me feeling blocked. I have nearly 200 written posts atm and while I always still write up posts. I work on each post without the pressure of knowing this one is immediately about to be posted so I can revisit the post. It’s also awesome knowing if I hit a creative wall or I become so busy I physically can’t write posts my blogging consistency won’t be effected. One of my goals this year is to continue writing 4 blog posts a week even through uni and upload twice a week. I also like to gradually grow my pre-written blog posts list in case stuff does get in the way and if I were not to write posts for a few months if something were to get in the way my readers wouldn’t miss out on posts.

    http://www.themakeupaficionado.com

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