Sometimes something as simple as an update of old blog posts can result in more traffic to your blog.
As bloggers, we put in countless hours of work…brainstorming, researching, writing, tweaking, checking, rechecking, creating, and posting. When the post is completed, we feel a sense of accomplishment and can breathe a little sigh of relief. You know what I’m talking about.
We think that our blog posts are done…finished…but sometimes, a few months after the fact, we realize that maybe that wasn’t our best work. Or at least, it wasn’t as good as it could be.
You always want your best work to be out there for the world to see.
WHAT TO FOCUS ON FOR THE UPDATE:
Maybe it’s time to resurrect those old posts and update them. Read them, edit them, IMPROVE them. Focus on improving not only the content but the SEO as well.
And while you’re at it, take a look at your opt-ins. They could probably use some sprucing up, too. What about your About Me page and your images? There are probably a number of places that need improvement. Update everything that is not up to par.
START HERE:
First of all, you need to begin with the posts that are the most popular with your readers. Starting with your most popular posts is a good plan because these posts have already proven to be winners.
Our free mini e-book, Google Analytics Made Easy, will guide you through the process of determining exactly WHICH posts are your most popular and WHAT your readers are the most interested in.
When you have compiled a list of your best posts, thoroughly evaluate the content.
EVALUATE OLD POSTS IN THESE AREAS:
Content – Is the information up-to-date and accurate? Check to see if the writing represents you and your brand the way that you want it to. If not, now is the time to change it.
Grammar – Proofread your post to make sure that all grammar is correct.
Spelling, punctuation – Correct any spelling or punctuation errors.
Links – Test any links in your post to determine if they are still working. If there are no internal links in your post, add them now. It is good for SEO to have links to old posts in your new blog post.
Images – Decide if your images are the best that they can be. If the post doesn’t have a striking image, then create a new one. Make sure it has a title, alt text and description using your targeted keywords. This will also increase SEO.
If you need more images, add them.
Offers and Opt-ins – Check your offers to see that nothing has expired or is out-of-date. Also look at your opt-ins to see if they are as good as they could be.
Branding – Your colors, your fonts, and the layout of your blog posts should all be related. They should flow and create a cohesive look for your blog.
PLUGINS:
There are several programs and plugins that are also useful when updating old blog posts. Yoast SEO Premium is an excellent plugin that makes it simple to optimize your post for SEO. Another good one is WP Broken Link Checker which shows you which links need to be addressed.
Grammarly is for correcting grammar and Polish my Writing will alert you to any changes that should be made in writing your content.
Now that you’re armed with everything you need to get started on updating those old blog posts, get busy and get some new traffic coming to your blog!
I really need to work on this. I have a bunch of old posts that I believe my new readers will appreciate. Thanks for the tips.
Your co-host from Turn it Up Tuesday,
April
So glad you found the post helpful, April! We always enjoy sharing at Turn It Up Tuesday. Thanks for the comment!
Another feature coming up on Friday. Well done.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thanks so much, Kathleen! We always enjoy sharing at Blogger’s Pit Stop! Thanks for the comment!
As a fairly new blogger, this is a gem. Thanks so much!
#happynowlinkup
Thank you! Updating posts is definitely something that needs to be done from time to time! Thanks for the visit!
Great tips! I’m getting your FREE mini e-book, “GOOGLE ANALYTICS MADE EASY” because it drives me crazy trying to analyze everything 🙂 Saw your link at Blogger’s Pit Stop #60.
Yes!! I hope you find something helpful in our little book! Thanks so much for the comment!
Another great bit of advice. Thank you for sharing! So glad to have found your Blog at Blogger’s Pit Stop!
We are so glad you found us, too, Teresa! Thanks for the comment and for the visit!
This is a fantastic post with great resources! Thanks so much for sharing this t the Happy Now Link up!
Thanks so much, Jen! We always enjoy sharing over at the Happy Now party!
Thank you for these tips. Am looking at Google Analytics right now to see which ones are the posts that I need to start updating and improving first. #wonderfulwednesday
Great! So glad that we could give you something to think about. Thanks for the comment!
Great tips! I am in the process of updating all my old post, images, SEO, adding links, etc. It will be a long process going back through all my older post but I know it must be done, because when I first started I just thought I knew what I was doing. I’ve learned quite a bit since then.
Hi, Linda! It is surprising to go back and see how much we have learned! Good luck updating all those posts. I think you will be glad that you did it! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for this useful information and for sharing with us at #OvertheMoon Link Up. I’m going to be looking at my old posts thanks to you.
Hi, Sue! Glad we could be of help! Thanks so much for the visit and for the comment!
This is fabulous! I’ve recently discovered the Revive Old Posts plugin… it’s been helping with engagement too! I need to go back and redo some of my images! 🙂 We follow each other on Twitter but saw your link on MMBH!
Hey, Denise! Thanks so much! I’m glad that you’re having success with the plugin! Thanks for your comment..I recognized you immediately from your picture!
I came over from Totally Terrific Tuesdays, and I pinned your post to remind me to look at my old blog posts. 🙂 Sometimes it’s hard to do that because I write sewing tutorials!
I know what you mean, June! It is hard to get everything done. Good luck and thanks for the comment!
Great tips…updating my old content has always been on my list of things.
Thanks, Deena. Yes, one more thing to add to that list! Thanks for the comment!
Great tips! I’m pinning for future reference. It’s a shame to spend lots of time and effort on a post only to let it fade away into the archives. It makes so much sense to update old posts.
Yes, it really does, Carol. And there are times that updating an old post can be a lifesaver when you don’t have a new post ready to go! Thanks for the comment!
Yes, I have some very old posts that need to be updated. Trying to find the time, especially now that I’ve read this post!
Good luck, Jean! Thanks so much for the visit and for the comment.