Saigon, Vietnam
One size does not fit all when it comes to ending blog posts.
Determine your goal.
What do you want readers to do?
How do you want readers to take action at the end of blog posts?
Set a clear goal in mind to choose the right strategy for you.
I rotate between each approach below based on intuitive guidance. Maybe I want to give an eBook greater exposure. Perhaps Twitter needs to see more Blogging From Paradise posts. Some blog posts work best as engagement platforms. Yet other posts require mystery or intrigue to draw inquiring minds back to BFP for more blog posts.
I end posts on a case-by-case basis.
I generally guide you not to blindly end posts with a single approach for months or years because bloggers evolve along with reader preferences. You will guide readers to different actions based on your blogging evolution and their feedback. Plus, each blog post type warrants different purposes from time to time. Some posts sell stuff passively while others boost active engagement based on the post title.
Keep these strategies in mind as you choose how to end blog posts.
1: Conclusion
End posts with a classic, old-skool conclusion.
Craft simple conclusions to tie a post into a tidy knot.
Concluding posts with a wrap up reminds readers to follow the basic points stressed.
Conclusions work to drill home takeaways to benefit blog followers.
I sum up posts through conclusions. If I want you to remember key points I craft a short conclusion section to end blog posts.
Consider summing up each tip, step or reason with a sentence. Give readers a powerful takeaway to benefit from your posts.
2: Business Call to Action
Calling readers to buy something or to hire you can increase blogging business.
Entrepreneur-minded individuals typically end posts with a clear call to action based on directly growing business.
Spot patterns. Note what seems to currently sell. Ride the trend by calling readers to check out that specific eBook or course.
For example, these 2 eBooks seem to generate more interest recently:
7 Steps to Build a Full Time Income Earning Blog
How to Retire to a Life of Island Hopping Part 2
Calling readers to check out each eBook – or either – makes sense.
Steer readers toward more popular products or services.
Observe reader feedback in sales terms.
End blog posts with a clear call to grow business and to give readers what they want.
Call readers to learn more about your coaching services.
Nudge readers to check out your consulting package.
Point readers to your freelance services page.
Publish thorough, targeted blog posts to teach readers.
End posts with a clear business-based call to action to offer premium services and to grow your online business.
3: Social Share Call to Action
Bloggers end posts with a clear call to share blog posts on:
to gain exposure, credibility and traction through any or all social media sites.
Contrary to popular blogging belief, social media is not dead. 5 billion people currently use social media.
However, it appears that strategically using social media to increase traffic and profits has died in the blogging niche.
This appearance is certainly not social media’s fault. If 5 billion human beings have joined social media sites at least a few hundred million use these sites to get what they want.
Your job as a blogger is to target readers with content to draw quality traffic to your social media profiles and blog.
Wrapping up blog posts with a call to share posts on social is one such way to target readers, drive traffic and gain exposure on social media.
Goad readers to retweet a blog post, to share it on Facebook and/or to share it on LinkedIn.
Experiment with calls to share on one or all three sites to see what resonates with your readers.
Far and away, most social traffic flows to BFP from Twitter although LinkedIn and Facebook seem to be making a horse race out of it these days.
4: Question
Ask 2-3 questions to end posts.
Turn the conversation over to readers.
Increase engagement.
Build a loyal blogging community.
End posts with questions to boost engagement. Asking questions goads readers to answer.
Follow up by reading and replying to comments within a reasonable time frame; 24 hours does the blogging trick here.
Ending blog posts with a question invites readers to share their answer.
Ask questions at the end of posts to increase blog comments.
Toss out on-topic questions for the best results. Ask questions related clearly to the post to boost blog comments.
General or specific questions stimulate engagement.
Some readers air grievances. Others appreciate your advice.
Be open to feedback to help yourself and your readers.
5: Premature Interruption (Encouraging Return Readers)
Before you make the mistake of spotting a potential lead-in for an ED commercial, I admit guys; this is a non-traditional approach.
Bloggers generally advise to end posts with some clear step.
Interrupting posts prematurely can draw readers to return, though.
Use this strategy infrequently. If readers do not respond favorably just ditch it. But if readers vibe with abrupt endings your change-up may hit the mark.
Unless your blogging voice hinges on one abruptly-ended posts flowing in to the next post progressively, I’d stick to the 4 prior tactics.
But adding mystery or intrigue may goad readers to come back for more.
Listen to reader feedback.
Allow them to guide you.
Conclusion
Make a plan for each post.
What’s the purpose?
End blog posts with both plan and purpose in mind.
Align each to end your blog posts with a bang.
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