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The last couple of posts have covered reasons why you should keep your site or blog updated, and a few ideas to get you going. But you don’t need to stick to the written word. In fact mixing up the media on your posts will make your blog far more interesting to readers, and caters for everyone who consumes media in different ways. This also means you can capture readers on the move and appeal to those who prefer visual over written posts.
So what type of media could you add to your blog or website, other than written posts?
1. Video
Since video is so popular online, making use of it on your website or blog really makes sense and will appeal to lovers of all things visual. Clever use of video can also help demonstrate your expertise. Louise and I have both created video posts on this blog as tutorials on how to use certain software. You can view one of our posts here. You could do the same if you already produce training material for customers – a video can be a taster of what you offer. If you sell products which need to be demonstrated, then videos will work very well. One site I bought from in the past called espares (they sell various parts for white household goods) have created some excellent videos and tips on their website. Posting on YouTube and Vimeo also means your videos can reach a wider audience than just your own website.
2. Images
Images have been used on blogs and sites for years, and are great for creative or visual professions – photographers, artists, designers, as well as e-commerce and retailers. Blogging software such as WordPress has some very good image gallery plugins, such as NextGEN gallery, which can add much more visual interest and impact to a regular blog. Even if your business isn’t creative, such as this blog, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add images to your posts. It makes posts more interesting visually and will add a bit more appeal to an otherwise bland looking blog post!
3. Audio/Podcasts
If you don’t like writing and prefer speaking then audio could be a much better way of creating fresh content for your blog. And even if you do write posts regularly, then mix them up with audio too. An advantage of audio posts is that people can listen to them while on the move. I often save audios and podcasts for train journeys and commutes and I expect lots of other people do the same. There are some great tools out there, which make creating audio really easy, such as Audioboo, which allows you to create your audio easily with applications on the site or on your mobile phone without having to use special software. As with YouTube & Vimeo, a site such as Audioboo has its own users so your audios will reach more people than just your blog readers.
4. Presentations
We create Powerpoint presentations regularly for speaking engagements as well as our monthly webinars. Rather than let them collect dust on our computers, it makes sense to share the information on sites such as Slideshare, and use this service to embed them onto our blog. We have 10 presentations on our Slideshare account – you can view them here – and they get many more views than we would otherwise have had by not uploading them anywhere. One of our presentations has had over 1000 views and a couple of others about 400-500 views, so it proves that by using a site such as Slideshare, your presentations will reach many more people!
5. Infographics
If you’re good at designing or have a graphic designer you can call on, then why not create an infographic? They’re hugely popular on the web at the moment and can be a much more fun way of sharing research or stats, and in a more digestible format. There are some really good ones out there, such as the following:
Social Media Marketing – 10 Inspiring Infographics- on Jeffbullas.com
15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly – on Copyblogger.com
So as well as working out the type of information you want to share with your readers and brainstorming ideas for your editorial calendar, think about how you could mix up the media on your website for added interest and to reach a wider audience!
About Samantha McArthur
Sam McArthur is an internet marketing consultant with 12 years in the industry. She helps professional service businesses with their internet marketing strategy, helping them to see significant results from their online marketing activities, particularly within the search engines. She also consults on the latest internet tools, technology and best practice techniques.
