Why Research is so Important to Blogging

You may think it’s tedious, but research is important to bloggers.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash.

Research… that sounds an a lot like homework. And who wants to do homework? Think of it less like homework, or work, but learning about more of who you're talking to, to what you are writing, that little research can take you a long way. It polishes your status as an expert, it allows you to speak relevantly as to what’s happening in your industry and it lets you get to really know your audience on a deeper level.

From whom you’re talking to, to what you are writing, a little research can go a long way.

Incorporate research practices into your everyday routine and it won’t feel like homework at all. In fact, it can be a nice break from your routine. You can consider reading this article as part of your research into how to become a better blogger. So grab a coffee, get comfortable and get ready to learn.

Research Your Audience

Who is your audience? What do they like or dislike? If you write it, will they come (awesome “Field of Dreams” reference, right)? Do some intel on your audience to see what interests them. If your target audience is stay-at-home moms, it’s silly to write about how kick-ass the latest Halo video game is. They just won’t be into it (unless they are gamer moms). This kind of research is ongoing, because it changes. And it gives you a chance to understand what make your customers tick. You’ll be going outside your comfort zone, on occasion, and writing about subjects that are off-topic from your expertise. No biggie – you can handle it. And your audience will really appreciate that you’re talking about things that are important to them, instead of trying to constantly sell them something.

Research Your Topic

To add research into your daily schedule, the quickest and most efficient way to do it is group all the blogs you follow in one handy place. It shows you the articles you haven’t read yet and gives you the chance to stay on top of what’s new and relevant in your field of expertise.

As well, you can use Google to research a topic of choice. Just type the keyword into the search bar and see what pops up. And Google gives you suggestions, which can take your research in a whole new direction. How exciting.

What research strategies do your employ? Share how it makes you a more efficient blogger on Twitter or Instagram.