No problem. I have conversations about this with online entrepreneurs nearly everyday. It’s not difficult to boost your online visibility… and it takes time and effort.

And that, my friends, is where most people stop. They say they don’t have enough time to do what is required to get their content in front of the right people who will benefit from their work. I hear this from authors, coaches, consultants and small business owners. Hey, I get it.

But, if you want to be found by the right people who want to buy your products and services, you need to be visible and you need (or someone) needs to do the work to make it happen. If you do, you’ll be way ahead of your peers in your industry.

If you want to sell more books, book more clients, build your email list, get more people to attend your events, then you have to do the work. Period.

I was reviewing a presentation I did a few months ago about boosting online visibility. At the end of the three-part program I offered a challenge and laid out the steps to get more visibility for a blog post. I  invited the participants to post their blog URL on my Facebook page and LinkedIn group so I could share it and boost its reach even more. And guess what happened?

No one took up the challenge. Why? I suspect most would say they didn’t have time.

It’s one thing to write a blog post, but if no one sees it, shares it or comments, then you’re missing an opportunity to extend your reach, connect with more people in your community and meet new people who may be the perfect client for you.

So, I invite you to take the challenge and see what happens when you actually market your blog posts. Master blogger Derek Halpern of Social Triggers teaches to spend 20% of your time crafting your content and 80% marketing it. I think he’s right.

Your Online Visibility Challenge

I challenge you to follow these steps for your next blog post. Track the tactics you use and note the results: number of shares, number of Likes, number of +1s, number of tweets and retweets, and number of comments. Then, compare that to a blog post for which you did not do any of the above tactics and let me know what you discover.

1. Create Cornerstone Content

If you’re not sure what “cornerstone content” is, here’s a great definition from Copyblogger:

A cornerstone is something that is basic, essential, indispensable, and the chief foundation upon which something is constructed or developed. It’s what people need to know to make use of your website and do business with you.

Keep these points in mind when you create your cornerstone post:

• Use your primary keywords
• Conveys the essence of your brand
• Answers important questions
• Evergreen – stands the test of time
• Highly shareable
• Entertaining AND informative
• Easy to find on your site

2. Create a quote image from your post

Images are noticed and shared more than any other type of content on the web. There are dozens of sites that make is super easy to create an image from a pithy quote or tip from your post. You can read more about quote images here or use the list below to find a site you like.

3. Share the quote image

After you create your beautiful, eye-catching quote image, you need to share it. Post it on Pinterest, Facebook, Google+, Twitter and in any related groups or forums you participate in. Don’t forget to include a link back to your blog post!

4.  Use the Share Buttons

Remember to use the share buttons on your post to share the article on your social networks. This starts the process of creating social proof [aka social signals]. When a reader sees the post has been shared, they’re more inclined to click the buttons too. [NOTE: here’s an excellent article by Dustin W. Stout about how social signals can impact your blog.]

5. Get even more Visibility!

You’re invited to post the URL for your blog post on my Facebook page and in my LinkedIn Visibility Boost group. You will get your content in front of members of my communities which will introduce you to even more people and can keep the visibility ball rolling.

Are you in?

And, just in case you’re wondering, I go through these steps for just about every post I publish both here and on The Future of Ink, the site I co-own with Ellen Britt.

If you’re in for the challenge, post your intention in the comments below and when your post is published, go ahead and share it here as well, for even more visibility. 🙂

Need help creating and implementing a do-able plan to get more visibility for your book, product or services? Let’s set up a strategy session and talk about how to make it happen.

The post Your Online Visibility Challenge. Are you up for it? appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.