**This is a Guest Post by Sue Ann Dunlevie From Successful Blogging**
Let me set the scene…
You’ve been blogging for a while now. Maybe it’s been 3 months, maybe it’s closer to 3 years.
You read The Branded Solopreneur religiously…
…because you know how important it is to make your blog stand out by distinguishing your website from everyone else’s.
After following Dre’s badassery, you are creating incredible blog images that are branded with your brand’s color palette and font theme.
But you are probably still wondering:
How do I differentiate my content from all the other blogs out there?
Here’s the deal:
The days of simply publishing articles and being done are long gone.
These days if you want your blog to out shine the rest and get noticed, you need to do more than just publish a plain text blog post.
What you need is some different content flavors!
5 of the best ways to make your content stand out online are:
➽ Adding photographs and screenshots
➽ Using infographics and Slideshare decks
➽ Incorporating video tutorials
➽ Creating podcast episodes
➽ Using social sharing buttons
1. PHOTOS AND SCREENSHOTS AND IMAGES, OH MY!
Photographs, screenshots and images are all designed to help break up your content and make it easier to read.
You have to remember that your readers will be visiting your site on all types of devices. These will range from to smaller mobile screens to huge desktop monitors.
There is nothing worse than having long paragraphs of text staring at you in the face. That’s just not ‘read on’ friendly these days.
The simple act of including a photo can break up those chunks, making it much easier for your readers to devour your content.
2. TURN YOUR INFO INTO AN INFOGRAPHIC OR SLIDESHARE
An infographic is a great way to repackage tips and facts in a visual way, which is easier to digest than plain text.
Experiment creating your own infographic at Pictochart or Infogr.am.
Slideshares are all the rage right now too, and for good reason. They are easy for you to make and fun for your reader to consume. I just published my first one last month.
Try taking one of your old posts and turning it into a Slideshare presentation using PowerPoint or Google Slides and voila, you just given new life to an old post.
3. ADD A VIDEO TO SPICE UP YOUR CONTENT
Videos are a fantastic way to spice up a post, including creating tutorials or mini advertisements. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words can you imagine what a video is??
Added bonus…
If you upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo you increase the social exposure of your blog. I call that: two birds, one stone!
4. CREATE A PODCAST EPISODE
Some bloggers like to include an audio version of their text content.
Why?
Audio files make easy listening for readers who are on the go, which is why including one in your blog posts will almost certainly help your content stand out from the rest. Think going the extra mile and that mileage being the scoring yardage you needed!
Regardless if you call it an audio file or a podcast, which is just a fancy way of saying ‘audio’, you are allowing people to consume your content in a totally different way….through their ears that is.
That audio consumption option will broaden your audience and attract audio lovers, which will most certainly help you stand out in your niche.
5. SHARING IS CARING
Another thing to remember, when creating your content, is that people are always looking for a way to share things that they love. In order for them to do this you need to make sure you’ve installed social sharing buttons (Dre and I both use Social Warfare) on your site. These social sharing buttons make sharing your content quick and pain free. If you don’t make things easy you’re going to lose the massive benefits that social sharing will bestow upon you.
Making things tap and share easy will encourage your readers to share your content on their favorite channels, like Twitter and Facebook, which will drive more traffic back to your blog.
You never know when your content could go viral – getting your blog more free exposure. That could be one share away!
What’s The Bottom Line?
The first step is deciding which of these 5 methods are the best option{s} for YOU and your audience. After that, it’s all about creating and adding those elements to your blog posts and reveling in how well you’ve differentiated yourself from others in your niche.
Making your content visual appealing, easy to read, possible to listen to and shareable worthy will undoubtedly help you make your content stand out in that sea of bright lights on the web.
Want more Blogging Badassery?
Grab your spot at our FREE Blogging Badassery Mini Course going down later today {May 27th @ 2pm PDT}. Everyone that registers WILL get their hands on a replay!
Sue Anne Dunlevie is the Blogging Coach at Successful Blogging, where she helps beginning bloggers earn a living with their blog. As a free bonus, she has written a report on “How To Attract 1000 Subscribers In 30 Days”.
Always nailing it …
No wonder you be like ‘Queen Dre’ on the interwebs!
Sue, respect is due to you too :o)
Sue is da BOMB, no doubt about it, yo! : D
Hey Dre and Sue,
I just left Sue’s blog and load this bad boy up to read and here she is again. Great job Sue and I couldn’t agree more.
Not sure if you noticed Dre but I did change some things up on my blog and I did finally start branding my images. It only took me like forever to figure out what I wanted but I’m happy, I’m thrilled and I can tell it REALLY makes a difference.
I’m the first to admit that when I’m going down a newsfeed on any of my social media sites my eyes are drawn instantly to the visuals. Seriously, I pass text up in a heartbeat accept on Twitter. So just for this reason alone you guys need to seriously be doing some attractive visuals and I now have people telling me they KNOW it’s mine. Yay!!!
Besides the sharing features on my blog I’m pretty lacking in these other areas. I confess, I admit it, I’m a slacker. Okay not really, I’m just too busy doing other things that I don’t have the time to create videos, infographics, slideshare presentations and podcasts. I know that we can’t do it all but more would be helpful so thanks Sue for this reminder to us all.
Great share ladies and let me go and share this bad boy too. Hope you both are having a fabulous week and you KNOW I’ll be seeing you again soon.
~Adrienne
You bet I noticed, sweetie!! The branded images look great and you KNOW the consistency is music to my f’in ears. I’m so proud of you for diving into all this visual stuff. I know it’s not your thing and that you’re busier than shit, but I also know you are going to get so much more boom juice from your blog images now. It’s all about garnering that pause that you mentioned gets you when you see a kickass visual in your feeds.
Don’t worry about creating every type of visual Sue and I talk about. It’s all about baby steps and you don’t seem to be hurting for loyal tribe members. ; )
Celebrate your recent branding win, it’s a HUGE step towards being a visual badass – the site is looking fantastic. I got your back, sweets…THAT you can always count on! <3
Now get back to kicking ass and taking names over there, lady!!!…
Hey Sue and Dre,
There’s two goals of mine for this year. One is to customize my own infographs and the other is to do use slide share .
I agree with you. If you want to stand out the these 5 ways will do it. I’m not that creative when it comes to graphics but I’m more than will to get a few steps closer to being creative when it comes to my blog.
Thanks for sharing and you have a great week ahead!
That’s awesome, Sherman, I LOVE hearing that you’re not letting your graphic skills hold you back. We all started with none, so hone, play, and study the craft of badass visuals and your biz will be all the better for it!
Here’s to kicking ass and taking names with your goals this year. I know you can do it, brotha!! {fist bump}
I know I’m like 10 years late for the discussion, but…
Dayum! That introduction was baddasss! hehe
I la la loooove your enthusiasm, Julian! Thanks-o-TON for the comment love, brotha man!!
I can completely relate myself with your blog introduction. This is the same case with me. I believe that i can write well. I read a lot everyday and used to share. But i feel there is something missing which is the “spicy”feel as mentioned in your blog.
The Blog is very useful and interesting to read. Thanks for sharing ?
Spice that baby up, your success will thank ya for it! ; )
I have to admit that I have the worst sense of style…and it translates to my content LOL. I definitely have to stop blogging soon haha.
Im thinking of utilizing slideshare soon when I can start training someone. Podcasting as well as I just got my mic…hopefully I actually do something about it and not procrastinate. ?
Great points Sue and thanks for having her Dre
Oooh how well I know that procrastinating – right there with ya brotha! Here’s to gettin our arses in gear! ; )
Podcasting! Cannot wait, Dennis. You’ll be great at it.
Thanks for finding Dre’s terrific blog and brand.
Sue
I totally agree that is it super important to add graphics in your blog post! Honestly, when I get to a blog and there are not any pictures or not a lot of pictures, I click right off of it! Pictures are the key! I absolutely love the graphics on this site! Thanks for the great info! ?
Word up to that Stephanie! I bolt faster than the speed of light if there are no images on an article. They aren’t just great to look at, they make things easier to digest AND break the overwhelming look of a screen full of text. BIG ass high five for the love, girl – you ROCK!
Hi, Stephanie,
You and Dre are so correct – images make the post!
Thanks for commenting today.
Sue
Totally agree with you, Sue.
I have made a few Slideshare presentations, and was shocked at the amount of views I had!
Great tips!
High five to that, Lorraine!
It’s amazing, isn’t it, Lorraine?
Thanks for sharing your story.
Sue
Crazy, right, Lorraine? I was really surprised as to the traffic from Slideshare.
Thanks for reading and commenting,
Sue
Sue and Dre,
Great post! I’ve been a little gun shy about creating a SlideShare presentation because I just couldn’t wrap my head around what to write in the presentation. I’m making mountains out of a molehill! Thank you for pointing out the obvious that I can use a blog post and turn it into a SlideShare. Genius.
It’s just another visual medium, Reese. Create visuals with a little text for each headline and subheadline {each point in your article} and BAM you have a presentation! You’re going to love it once you dive in…it’s actually a weeee bit addicting! High five for the comment love, lady – you ROCK!
Hi, Reese,
I’m the Fairy Blogmother and it took me months to figure that out! So don’t feel bad. If the experts don’t even realize that, a newer blogger shouldn’t be doing it already.
You’ll be so far ahead of the competition by publishing one a month. Then embed the SlideShare into the older post!
Thanks for your comment – it’s so appreciated.
Sue
Hi Dre and Sue!
Great post, Sue.
In order to stand out in the overcrowded blogosphere, you need to focus on BRINGING the only thing that will make you unique…
…your PERSONALITY.
Be yourself and show people your awesome personality.
People like to follow and buy from people they know, like and trust.
In the start it can feel really scary, and it almost feels like you are doing business nude.
However, it`s so worth it.
And done right, solving a specific problem for a specific group of people, using Sue`s (and Dre`s) great tips, and then throwing in the X factor – your personality.
That will turn into an awesome cocktail that can`t be stopped.
As long as you are genuine looking to help other people, and you are willing to bring your personality to the table and work your b*tt off.
There is no way that the right people WON`T notice you.
You will become freakin` UNINGOREABLE.
Peace.
Tor
High-freaking-five to that – it’s all about the human factor…without it every one of our blogs would look and sound like all the others. Personality IS how we differentiate ourselves from the crowd. Spicy, spicy. ; )
Thanks for the love, Tor, you badass you!
Thanks so much for this insightful comment, Ryan!
Sue
Tor, you are “Mr. Personality” in both your blog and your emails. You are going to be HUGE…you are one of the best writers I have ever seen.
Thanks for commenting on Dre’s great blog!
Sue
Hi Sue and Dre,
LOL on the Blogging Badassery hahaha….can you hear me laughing all the way from Bali? ? Clever, attractive funny name….well done ? Dead on, spot on, inspired tips too Sue.
I am using more than a few. I publish a weekly podcast and a 1080 HD video to add my personality to my blog, and so far, so good. I note folks downloading my podcast for later listening and am seeing an uptick in video views. Really, the written word is MUCH more powerful when you add your spoken word, and your human moving likeness LOL, to the word. Makes it feel personal, intimate and special methinks.
Thanks for sharing guys!!
Ryan
OMG, I can hear you laughing…can you hear me crying over a wicked case of jealousy?? I saw you on Ande’s Possibilties Parnter web show a couple months back and was so jelly I wanted to jump through the screen and hide in the tree with the monkeys that were hanging with ya in the background. You’re my hero brotha!! I can only dream of some day running my biz from a tropic local like you are.
Couldn’t have said it better…the written word is epic, but it’s not until you can really get a sense of someone’s personality that the true magic happens. I’ve been wanting to do a podcast but I haven’t quite gotten my big girl underoos secure enough to jump into it yet. Someday….from an island I hope! ; ) I’ll definitely be checking out yours….and by check out I mean stalk of course. Big ass high five for all the love…I am beyond flattered that Sue graced my little dog & pony show to throw down some of her blogging badassery.
Now go take a dip in the warm ocean for me, will ya?! You ROCK, Ryan!! -jelly badass
OK – come on my podcast, Dre. It’s now an official invitation. We would have so much fun…and, oh yeah, my readers would love to meet you!
Sue
Count me IN!! Let’s get something on the calendar!
You are the “combo” approach blogger superstar, Ryan! Podcasts, and videos and epic written posts. You capture every learning modality out there – which is so great.
Thanks for your comment today!
Sue
Love and utilize most of what you recommend! Has definitely helped me capture more interest from followers and I felt empowered when I finished my first infographic, for example. Will check out Dre’s site, too, so thanks for turning me on to her! You are awesome, Sue!
La la looove the brand name, Jody – anything is better with swagger! ; ) Isn’t Sue the best?! BIG ass high five for the comment love, lady – I really appreciate it!
Hi, Jody,
Thanks for dropping by – you’ll LOVE Dre’s site. I sampled a post 6 months ago and then devoured every single thing she wrote that same week and got a 1-1 mentoring session the next week!
It was love at first site for The Branded Solopreneur and Successful Blogging!
Sue
We really are a match made in heaven!
I personally love to do video – need to do it more. And, I really like the look and feel of this blog – very nice. I truly believe being visual is the way to go. I use several photos in my blogs – not just one – and I find that appeals to people. Sue Anne’s tips and her private coaching program are fabulous. Thanks for sharing this info, too.
My kinda lady, Laurie! ; ) Visuals are what I’m aaaaaalllll about. I can’t say enough good stuff about Sue, she’s hands down one of my favorite bloggers EVA. Big ass high five for the love on my site, I really appreciate it!
Hi, Laurie,
I knew you would love Dre’s blog and her visual branding. You are the Queen of video – you are smooth and comfortable and share great info at The Social Networking Navigator. Funny thing – when I start to put your blog or Dre’s blog into my Google browser, inevitably the opposite one shows up!
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Ooooh the Queen of Video??…I better
stalkcheck her out! ; )Hi Sue! Love the info included here! I was just thinking about doing an Infographic for the roundup post I’m creating for a client. I think Canva recently added Infographic design to their tools as well.
I really like the idea of podcasts because of the fact some people prefer to listen instead of read, especially if they’ve been staring at a computer all day! I have issues with eye strain, plus I’m an auditory learner too!
Thanks for the super info, I’m looking forward to putting some tips into action in the near future. You rock,,,
Isn’t Sue and her tips the bomb diggity, Darie! Big ass high five for the love, now go ROCK IT with your roundup post! ; )
Hi, Darie,
I love Canva and yes, they do have a new Infographic design. I haven’t tried it yet, but I love everything Canva does!
Yes, a podcast is great to do. Some of use prefer to read so I always get a transcript done for my readers.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Sue
So appreciate the opportunity to speak to your readers, Dre! You are awesome ?
Right back at ya babe!
Sue and Dre,
I’ve signed up for your kick ass course and can’t wait to learn your tips.
I love this post on spicing up your content. I haven’t used many of these options except screen shots and having sharing buttons on my posts. I’ve heard about slideshares and may consider this in the future.
Thanks for laying it all out!
Elna
Big ass high five for getting in on the mini course, Elna – I can’t wait for more of Sue’s awesome sauce too. When you have time use SlideShares and infographics for an extra dose of spice…they’re an epic way to breath life into older posts.
Hi, Elna,
Great to see you here on Dre’s awesome blog!
I did my first Slideshare recently – actually, I had a freelancer actually approach me with a cold email and she had great Slideshare deck references and went with her doing the deck. She rocked it (like Dre would say!)
Thanks for your comment and see you later on the mini-class.
Sue