Summary: <pre><code> <img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/586c0773ebbd1a367d451544/t/588e77e5d2b857b6ec3b0a88/1485731829528/" data-image-dimensions="717x722" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="588e77e5d2b857b6ec3b0a88" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/586c0773ebbd1a367d451544/t/588e77e5d2b857b6ec3b0a88/1485731829528/?format=1000w" /> </code></pre> <p>Welcome to Episode 8! It's the second half of my conversation with <a href="http://instagram.com/thefoxandshe">Blair Staky</a>, a successful fashion & lifestyle blog designer turned <a target="_blank" href="http://thefoxandshe.com">full-time blogger. </a></p><p>When Blair decided she wanted to get more serious about blogging and step away from her design business, her blog was bringing in around 20% of her income.</p><p>By focusing on some simple yet intentional tweaks to her strategy, <em>Blair's blog now provides 70% of her income.</em></p><p>Blair used to scramble to throw up a blog post at the last minute, and it would typically be about whatever was on her mind that day.</p><p>Today, she targets <em>exactly </em>what her dream readers are interested in.</p><p>And instead of just posting up pretty pictures of what she wore, she’s pairing each outfit with a <strong><em>story </em></strong>of some kind to create an *emotional connection* to the pieces. Her readers feel more engaged and interested in the content, which leads to more trust and more affiliate purchases for Blair (woohoo!)</p><p>Instagram fits into this whole “intentional, strategic content” idea as well. Blair went from basically reposting only her blog photos to coming up with a separate, interesting, behind the scenes peek into her life. </p><p><strong>In this episode Blair answers these questions: </strong></p><ul> <li>How do I figure out what my ideal readers are actually looking for, and then use their exact words to help them find me? </li> <li>When using keyword research to come up with blog topics, what's the sweet spot between "too obscure" and "too overdone"?</li> <li>How do I incorporate keywords into my posts?</li> <li>How can I pair imagery & copy to create a story?</li> <li>When are the best times to post on Instagram?</li> <li>How do I grow past just a few hundred followers and into the realm of thousands (and beyond)</li> </ul><p>... and LOTS more. </p><p>If you're looking to put a little more intention into how you grow using content, this episode with Blair is a must-listen. </p><p>I know I have fallen into the trap of looking at bloggers with huge Instagram followings and assuming they must not have to do anything to keep growing. Instead, I hope you pick up on just how <em>plugged in</em> Blair is with actively commenting and engaging with her audience to show them that she’s a real person. </p><p>So let's get into it -- we're talking about using research to grow a blog & earn 65,000 Instagram followers!</p> <p>SHOW NOTES:</p><p> </p><ul> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://adwords.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/">Google Adwords Keyword Tool</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://thefoxandshe.com/how-to-be-more-productive/">How to Be Infinitely More Productive This Month </a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://thefoxandshe.com/what-to-wear-to-work/">How to Add Personality to Your Work Wardrobe </a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://liketoknow.it/login">Like to Know It</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://pro.iconosquare.com/">Iconosquare </a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogging4keeps.com/">Blogging for Keeps </a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/thefoxandshe">Blair on Instagram</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/stephcrowder_">Steph on Instagram</a></li> </ul><p> </p>
