I’ll be honest with you.
In content, just like in business or, hey, in life, there are no guaranteed formulas that bring instant results. The same goes for maintaining a successful blog.
The secret to a popular blog is posting popular articles.
It’s simple. And pointless.
What makes an article popular?
Well, that’s the 1000 point question.
Every article you write for your shop blog online has a dream of yours to carry around. To build interest, to attract attention, to create desire for your shop and products.
So you want popular items.
As I said at the beginning, I can’t give you formulas that are guaranteed to work. But I can give you some techniques that you can test to see what results you get.
There are things you can do to give your blog a chance to become popular.
All articles with the potential to go viral have one thing in common: change the reader’s mood.
Maybe not a mega big change. Probably not permanent either. But the mere fact that they read your article can lead to a major change for the reader.
Change what he knows. Or what he believes. Or what he feels. And the best articles change the way he behaves.
Therefore, he gets an impulse to take an action, which sets him on a new path or trajectory in life.
That’s what I’d like to talk about today.
I show you the 5 types of articles that have the most potential to change your readers’ mood. You’ll learn what to say at the beginning, how to transition to the main body of text, how to develop your ideas, and how to end each one.
So let’s get down to business.
Disclaimer:
As you read the article it may seem to you that it doesn’t fit what products you sell. But I want you to know that the things your customers are interested in are Benefits and Results using your products.
Test one or more of the structures below and you might see better results than if you just wrote about how they are and what products are in the store.
Summary 5 types of blog posts that change customer mood
- The Rescue Cage
- Calauza
- Alarm clock
- The alarm clock
- Amplifier
1. The Rescue Collar
The Rescue Cage is a super practical article that gives the reader the solution to a problem they already know they have.
It is meant to rescue readers who are at a dead end; who don’t know how to proceed next and don’t know which is the most suitable action to do.
How to make it perfect the first time
What to say in the introduction
Outline the specific problem facing the reader. Show that you understand their situation.
Amplify frustration and/or hurt that the problem is still unresolved. Mention 1-2 things they probably tried but failed.
How do you transition to the body of text
Tell the reader he’s not stupid; the problem really is a difficult one, and the solution may not fit everyone. But then assure him that the problem is not impossible to solve, he just needs to find the right direction.
Build trust – what do you recommend you offer him the solution?
How to develop body text
Tell him your solution. If it’s a universally valid solution, specify the details your competitors omit.
If, instead, there are several valid options, specify enough alternatives so that readers can find what fits their situation.
Tips:
- Provides specific and easy-to-follow tips & tricks that lead to a quick result – even if it may not solve the whole problem. You can use other articles to provide the rest of the tips.
- Mention specific examples for how others have used your solution and it has worked for them in similar situations.
- Show potential pitfalls and guide them to avoid common myths.
And most importantly:
- Focus on the details! – Provides enough detail to encourage readers to take action. If you promise a solution, but people don’t have enough information to act, they will feel cheated and frustrated.
How to end the article
Remind the reader of the pain caused by the problem and tell him that the solution is now within his reach.
Indicate the first step to be taken (“follow advice”, “choose an idea”, “try an option”) and encourage him to take action. Get him to imagine a near future in which the problem is gone.
What change happens when you read this type of article? A change in the point of focus – from problem, to action.
Examples of articles Rescue basket
Read also: Mega Guide – Blogging and Selling Online: +250 Blog Ideas and Tips for Beginners
2. Calauza
Calauza is the article that guides new readers by the hand to a big goal that, at first glance, seems hard to reach.
His role is to manage the transition of readers more smoothly from novices to confident learners of the information they hold.
How to make it perfect the first time
What to say in the introduction
Start by emphasizing the feeling that they don’t know where to start or are overwhelmed by the multitude of possibilities (or feel they are far behind others).
How do you make the transition to body text
Assure your readers that the feeling of overwhelm is not their fault or because they are naive, but because of the volume of information they find, which is also contradictory. Tell them that simple steps can point them in the right direction.
How to develop body text
Guides readers to the first step by giving them information that fills in the knowledge gaps. Build their confidence in their own competence.
Tell them how even a little effort on their part can lead to good results.
Tips:
- Offer examples clear and simple that are easy to follow.
- Make sure the advice you give is not ambiguous.
- Use comparisons and metaphors that they are used to and are easy to understand.
- Throughout the article owill do the encouraging.
And most importantly:
- Beware of jargon! – Don’t assume that your new readers are already familiar with the common terms in your niche. Technical terms may discourage them.
How to end the article
Remind readers that even the best-known experts were at one time beginners. Show them how far they have already come.
Tell them again what the first step to take is and indicate what their future will look like if they follow your advice.
What change happens when you read this kind of article? They become more confident in their abilities.
3. The alarm clock
The alarm clock is a harsher type of article that is intended to change behavior or habits that are destructive, wrong, or simply distracting from the reader’s intended goal.
Sometimes the reader is aware of the mistakes he is making. At other times, he is unaware that he is insisting on a wrong path. The alarm clock is meant to “wake him up” and bring about change.
How to make it perfect the first time
What to say in the introduction
Start by saying what the reader wants and what actions they are likely to take at the moment. Acknowledge that these actions are acceptable given the information you have.
Uses strong words to emphasize the frustration felt due to not making progress or things not happening as fast as they would like.
How you make the transition to body text
Reveals the truth that the reason for his frustration and stagnation is because he is doing something fundamentally wrong. He may be doing the wrong actions, running toward the wrong goal, or making the wrong assumptions.
BUT it’s not his fault. Simply no one has gone out of their way so far to show him what mistakes he is making.
How you develop body text
Underlines the reader’s mistakes and omissions. Convince him that the strategy he is now following is really not a good one.
Talks about what they need to do to achieve success and offers ready-made alternatives.
Tips:
- Gives strong reasons why the old advice no longer works and a new method is needed.
- For every mistake, it offers a solution. For each missing, additional information.
- Show real life examples of success due to new advice and failure due to old advice.
- Tell personal stories About how you made the same mistakes and what you learned from each situation.
And most importantly!
- Watch your tone! – Make sure the tone of your writing is encouraging, rather than judgmental. You offer advice because you want to help him develop, not because you want to throw stones at him.
How to end the article
It ends by challenging man to let go of myths and misconceptions, and accept the truth, however hard or harsh it may seem. Reminds him to keep in mind the goal he is fighting for, and repeats that a change in thinking will enable him to achieve it.
Warn him what can happen if he falls back into old traps. Encourage him to take the first steps in the new direction.
What change happens when you read this kind of article? A change in beliefs, which leads to a change in behavior.
Examples of articles Alarm clock
Read also: How to organize your content strategy to boost your sales [Checklist]
4. The Declarer
The declutterer is a type of article that is meant to push the reader over a limit. It seeks to persuade, cajole or even embarrass the reader into taking a step he should have taken long ago.
The trigger is written for readers who know what they need to do, but have a mental barrier that prevents them from taking action.
How to make it perfect the first time
What to say in the introduction
Start by emphasizing the feeling of being stuck and assure your readers that it’s perfectly normal for this to happen. Give your opinion on possible reasons why they can’t move on.
How do you make the transition to body text
Tell them that although it’s normal to be stuck in one place, it’s not okay. They certainly want to evolve and achieve their goals. Give them a shock by revealing that there is a gross contradiction between what they say they want to achieve and the actions they take (or don’t take).
How you develop body text
Take each reader’s excuse in turn and demolish it. Give them counterarguments and examples to support your case.
Show them how apparent obstacles can be removed or convince them that they are not obstacles at all. Teach them how to progress in spite of barriers.
Tips:
- Show examples of how others have advanced under the same circumstances or in even worse situations.
- Reframe potential limitations as advantages. (e.g., Want to have a house worthy of the envy of your acquaintances, but don’t have money for expensive purchases? It’s okay, in the community [nume magazin]you can find monthly tips and offers for various budget thresholds).
And most importantly:
- Don’t forget what the point of the article is! – You want to get readers to take action, to take the next step. Don’t give them big things to do, because if the task seems too big, they will feel demotivated.
How to end the article
Talk about the dangers of inactivity and remind clients that the worthwhile things in life don’t come so easily.
Determine them to imagine a future in which they have achieved their goal. Remind them of the first step they have to take next.
What change happens when you read this type of article? A change in thinking, which leads to action.
Examples of articles Decluttering
Read also: Content for Traffic VS Content for Sales In eCommerce
5. Amplifier
The Amplifier opens up the reader’s perspective with new information (products, tips, ideas, etc.). It wants to help people imagine new possibilities and new options.
How to make it perfect the first time
What to say in the introduction
Arouse the reader’s curiosity with an interesting or shocking statement. Emphasizes his desire to learn more and asserts that few of us today have the luxury of time to seek out new influences and reliable sources of education.
How do you make the transition to body text
Tell the reader where the ideas they are about to read come from (personal experience, specific sources, etc.). Increase the sense of anticipation by mentioning the benefits they are about to gain – new sources of inspiration, new formulas they can copy, new ways of thinking.
How to develop body text
List examples. Explain important principles, but remember that they must be realistic and applicable. Show the reader how your new information can be used in the present context.
Tips:
- Show abstract principles in the context of examples from the real world.
- Use comparisons and analogies so that your writing is easy to understand.
- Throw hypotheses for how he can use the ideas in real life.
And most importantly:
- Make sure the information is relevant to your audience! – Don’t waste your time writing things that are not of interest to your audience, and that you only want to address out of personal interest.
How to end the article
Tell the reader how important it is to step out of their comfort zone and be open to new ideas and influences. Encourage him to take an idea from your text and apply it to his situation. Ask for comments and examples to add to your list.
What change happens when reading this type of article? An expansion of knowledge – the more complete information he has at his disposal, the more he can make the right decisions that will bring the desired results.
Examples of Amplifier articles
Read also: How You Create Content For “Boring” Industries
Writing a good, popular article doesn’t have to be about luck alone.
Now you have new information at your disposal that you can test at any time (preferably by blogging constantly) so that you have a blog that directly helps you sell (or whatever your goal is).
Don’t forget that results come in time and also if you invest in promoting your articles. Publishing and then keeping quiet is not a solution. Take pride in your articles everywhere, give them a push.
The combination of text and promotional methods will definitely get you more visibility and an audience that trusts you.
Your tools for success are at your disposal. You just have to use them 🙂 !
