PB111: How to Create an Effective Start Here Page for Your Blog

Note: this episode is available to listen to in the player above, on iTunes and Stitcher Why You Should Create a Start Here Page for Your Blog Today's Show Is Sponsored by the Problogger Event - Probloggerevents.Com - save $100 until 1 July Today I am talking about start here pages. This topic comes from a question by John at TheResourcefulCommunity.com Why a Start Here Page? John wants to know why we should have a start here page and the best way to create one. We recently put a start here page on ProBlogger. For us, the start here page has replaced the about page. If you have been blogging for awhile, it becomes challenging for a reader to know where to begin. A start here page can help a new reader find the most relevant content to them, and direct them on how to use the site. It is also very clickable. Start here is a compelling call to action. What you should put in your start here page will vary depending on the goals for your blog, but here are some compelling ideas. In Today’s Episode 7 Things to Consider Adding To Your Start Here Page Make a Personal Connection - Who are you? What is your story? Use things like story, picture and video. Communicate who your blog is for - Who are your readers? What are their pains? Who are you trying to help and what are their needs. Communicate what your blog is about - How does your blog help change the lives of your readers? Point people to the right content for them - Get people to the content that gives them a “quick win” where they may have a challenge. Call to Connect - It’s really important to create a connection with first time readers. Depending on your goals. you might also like to highlight your products, services or other key converting pages on your site (affiliate pages). Social proof works too - Something that shows your site is active, numbers or testimonials or comments that show you’re helping readers. Formatting Your Start Here Page When it comes to format, there really are no rules. I would use whatever medium you usually talk to your readers with. If your blog is primarily text, then write your start here page. If you’re a podcaster, then add audio. Use whatever voice your readers are used to hearing you in. We have found video to be particularly effective and that can be a great choice too. How To Create a Start Here Page Create a “page” in WordPress or write a blog post and link to it LeadPages - There are great templates in LeadPages or you could build your own Other landing page tools - many have templates you can use You could also find someone to custom design a Start Here Page for you My Start Here Page You can see our new start here page here. Statement of what the site is about Call to subscribe Video Who I am Why I started ProBlogger The Content areas on ProBlogger How to find the right content. The benefits of reading Call to connect to our newsletter and social The Written Content Tells my story of starting a blog and building it into a full time living Tells why I started ProBlogger Talks about the site and what it’s become and points to the podcast, blog, job board, book, ebooks etc Taps into the ‘dream’ of making a living from blogging but also the ‘pain points’ of our readers Introduces our portals and asks our readers what they need help with - points them to the portal relevant to those pain points. I know if I can get them to a portal page they are going to find some ‘quick win’ content Calls them to subscribe to ProBloggerPLUS and our social pages Points to our ‘resources’ page Again reinforces the portals Further Resources on How to Create an Effective Start Here Page for Your Blog Episode 105: An Exercise to Help You Write Sales Copy Examples of Great Start Here Pages Michael Hyatt Taps into his readers dreams Immediately makes a connection with the readers he c...