Evergreen Content: Why Bloggers Need & Tips for How to Create It

Many of you may not know what Evergreen Content is, or even if you do, its not a part of your blog. I first heard about Evergreen Content while listening to one of Kat Lee’s, from How They Blog, podcasts.  She explained Evergreen Content as content that is always relevant, content that people can always use.  Whether it be a how-to post or a printable, when some one runs across it, even if its years later, they can still use it.  Evergreen content is always fresh, always useful, hence the name Ever-green, forever green…like the tree.

As bloggers, we’re always looking for ways to produce and make available, the best and most useful content possible.  Let’s face it, its what keeps readers coming back.  It also drives new traffic to our sites, thus generating a larger readership.  Additionally, it gives people a reason to stick around once they’re actually on your site.  This further helps to build important stats that play key factors if you’re looking to monetize, by working with networks on sponsored campaigns.  Even if this is not your goal, you still want your blog to be appealing and for people to have a reason to visit it and return to it.

Long before I knew what Evergreen Content was, I had been creating it on my blog.  I’ve always done how-to/tips posts, recipes, and printables, because I wanted to offer content that was helpful to my audience.  I know the main goal of many bloggers, including myself, is to help and be a resource to others.  So here’s a few tips on how you can create Evergreen Content, and be that awesome resource to others:

1. How-to/Tips posts – The backbone of Evergreen Content.  These types of posts never go out of style or get old.  Someone is always searching for how to do something or tips on another thing.  You can go wrong with these…just make sure they’re accurate!
2. Printables – DIY is always on trend.  Printables are great ways for people to be able to personalize, create, and make things themselves, without having to employ the use of a commercial service.  So whether it’s a printable or cleaning or a festive holiday one, someone can always use it.
3. Workout/Fitness/Health/Recipe posts – People are always looking for these type of posts.  Its great to read about it in a book or magazine, but blogging is more relatable.  The reader is getting a chance to peak inside who you do these things, how you incorporate them in your life, and how they work out for you. The key:  Be relatable.
4. Advice posts – You have to be careful with advice posts sometimes, but if you relay them with honesty and actual experience, many will be able to find your advice useful.  Its also important to remain open-minded, objective, and unbiased when it comes to advice.  Someone looking for advice doesn’t want to feel judged as they read your content.
5. Videos – Vlogging can be a great asset and addition to you blog.  I oftentimes include video in my posts to show extra detail or as a way to allow readers to get to know me a little better, and “meet” the physical version of me. Plus, most people like watching a live action version of a tutorial, they’re oftentimes easier and more entertaining to follow.
6. Product Reviews – Can be done in a written or video form.  Most products are on the market for several years, and even if they go off the market, the content could still be useful to someone doing research.
7. Lists posts – i.e. “Top Blah Blah” “10 Most Blah Blah”

With Evergreen content you want to keep it simple, don’t get overly technical or sophisticated with you’re language.  Make it so that its in lay’s terms and so that anyone could understand it easily.  There’s nothing worst than overcomplicated directions or instructions for something.  Evergreen Content should be easy to read and follow.

Stay on topic, don’t get off into a tangent or off subject.  Most likely, someone ended up on your site, because someone did a specific search for that topic.  I hate when I search a topic, end up on someone’s site and have to search through the content with a fine tooth comb to find what I was searching for. Odds are if this happens, I will just leave and continue my search on Google.

Lastly, remember that most people that land on your site are at beginner level with whatever they searched for.  Many may have never even done whatever it is that they have searched for before.  Write your content so that those at all levels can use and appreciate it, but especially for the beginner.

I hope this post was helpful, and as always you can visit How-to & Tips, printables, or recipes for a look at much of my Evergreen Content.

xxoo,