Podcast Summary: Episode 926 – "24,000 Reasons I’m Bringing Blogging Back"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Strategy Hour Podcast: Online Business Growth & Digital Marketing with Boss Project
• Host: Abagail Pumphrey, CEO of Boss Project
• Episode Title: 926: 24,000 Reasons I’m Bringing Blogging Back
• Release Date: February 13, 2025

Introduction: Rekindling the Blogging Flame

In Episode 926 of The Strategy Hour Podcast, host Abagail Pumphrey delves deep into the resurgence of blogging as a pivotal strategy for online business growth. After a period of uncertainty regarding content creation trends, Abagail identifies a compelling opportunity for small businesses to harness the enduring power of blogging amidst the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The Resurgence of Blogging

Blogging Is Far From Dead

Abagail begins by challenging the prevailing notion that blogging has lost its relevance. She asserts, “[Blogging] is not dead. It's been waiting for small businesses to pick up the torch again, and I think now is the perfect time to do it” (01:04). Observing a decline in creators producing long-form content, she emphasizes that blogging remains a fertile ground for establishing authority and driving targeted traffic.

Case Study: A Surprising Blog Post Success

Reflecting on a past podcast episode published on Christmas Day 2023, Abagail shares an insightful example: “the Show Notes post for that episode had more than 24,000 hits. For a show notes page, that is wild” (01:04). This unexpected surge in traffic illustrated the untapped potential of blogging to answer specific, burning questions that resonate deeply with audiences.

Blogging vs. Social Media Content

Building Trust vs. Generating Awareness

Abagail contrasts blogging with social media, highlighting the distinct advantages each offers. While social media excels in creating awareness and fostering community, blogging is portrayed as a more effective tool for building trust. She notes, “on social media, you have visibility and awareness, but blogging when you are actually answering real questions… is trust that has immediately built” (12:30).

Longevity and Ownership of Content

One of the critical benefits Abagail underscores is content ownership. Unlike social media platforms, which can be volatile and transient, blogging ensures that your content remains under your control. She elaborates, “publishing on your own site is one of the only ways that you are going to own all of that content” (01:04).

The Impact of AI on Content Discovery

Evolution of Search Behavior

The integration of AI into search engines has revolutionized how content is discovered. Abagail explains, “people are changing the way they search… they are more naturally searching their exact question as if they were saying it out loud” (18:15). This shift necessitates a strategic approach to content creation, ensuring that blogs align with conversational search queries.

AI Recommendations and Content Validation

AI-powered recommendations are transforming content validation. Abagail shares her excitement about being recommended by AI: “It feels like AI is validating you as an authority in a way that I never felt with Google” (21:45). This endorsement not only enhances credibility but also drives highly engaged traffic to your website.

The Unique Value of Blogging

Human Touch and Storytelling

In an era dominated by AI-generated content, the human element becomes a significant differentiator. Abagail emphasizes, “AI can't walk in your shoes… Your storytelling can be captivating and no one else can match your real-world experience” (26:45). Authentic storytelling fosters a deeper connection with the audience, something AI cannot replicate.

Depth and Specificity

Blogging allows for greater depth and specificity compared to the fleeting nature of social media posts. Abagail states, “long-form content requires you to get a bit more specific on what you're trying to accomplish” (19:00). By addressing detailed topics, bloggers can effectively meet the nuanced needs of their audience.

Overcoming Challenges in Blogging

Balancing Content Volume and Quality

Abagail acknowledges the challenge of maintaining a consistent blogging schedule: “blogging five days a week is a lot. I couldn't even handle five days a week right now” (20:50). To manage this, she has adopted a more sustainable approach of publishing two blogs per month, ensuring each post is thorough and valuable.

Navigating Technical Hurdles

Technical aspects, such as setting up a custom domain and email integrations, can be daunting for beginners. Abagail provides solutions by creating detailed technical articles and tutorials: “we recently put together two technical articles… making it sound as easy as possible” (23:10). These resources aim to simplify the initial setup process, enabling more entrepreneurs to embark on their blogging journey.

Practical Strategies for Effective Blogging

Content Generation through Subtopics

Abagail recommends viewing your product or service as a “spiderweb” of subtopics: “the more specific the subtopic, the more targeted you can get to drive specific traffic (00:00). By identifying related subtopics, bloggers can create targeted content that attracts a niche audience.

Answering Audience Questions

Focusing on frequently asked questions (FAQs) is another effective strategy. Abagail advises, “start by answering key questions that your audience are going to be genuinely impacted by” (22:30). This approach ensures that the content is directly relevant and valuable to readers.

Repurposing Content

Maximizing the value of each blog post through repurposing is crucial for efficiency. Abagail illustrates this by transforming a single blog post into multiple content forms, such as Instagram carousels, email promotions, and short-form videos. She shares, “you can repurpose that content in so many different ways” (25:10).

Consistency and Incremental Growth

Consistency is key to building a successful blog. Abagail suggests starting with manageable goals, like committing to one post per month: “If you want to start, just commit to one post a month and make it count” (24:00). This steady pace helps maintain quality without overwhelming the creator.

Conclusion: Embracing the Blogging Renaissance

Abagail Pumphrey’s Episode 926 serves as a compelling manifesto for the revitalization of blogging within the modern digital marketing ecosystem. By elucidating the unique advantages of blogging over social media, addressing the transformative impact of AI on content discovery, and providing practical strategies for content creation, Abagail empowers entrepreneurs to leverage blogging as a potent tool for business growth. She concludes with an inspiring call to action: “I hope you leave this episode inspired and excited to write… head over to bossproject.com/blog” (46:10).

Notable Quotes:

• “Blogging is not dead. It's been waiting for small businesses to pick up the torch again, and I think now is the perfect time to do it.” – Abagail Pumphrey (01:04)
• “On social media, you have visibility and awareness, but blogging when you are actually answering real questions… is trust that has immediately built.” – Abagail Pumphrey (12:30)
• “AI is validating you as an authority in a way that I never felt with Google.” – Abagail Pumphrey (21:45)
• “AI can't walk in your shoes… Your storytelling can be captivating and no one else can match your real-world experience.” – Abagail Pumphrey (26:45)

Resources Mentioned:

• Boss Project Blog: bossproject.com/blog
• AI Writing Guide: Check out recent posts on how to integrate AI into your blogging while maintaining your unique voice.

Connect with Abagail:

• Instagram: Follow @bossproject for updates and more insights.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 926, offering actionable insights and motivating entrepreneurs to harness the power of blogging for sustainable business growth.