May 12th, 2023 | 2 min. read
By Kim Kovelle
Ready to reach more customers? These marketing services help.
Writing great website content isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Consider this: 44% of businesses say improving content quality drives success — yet creating relatable, helpful content without sounding self-promotional is tough.
You want to be relatable yet helpful — and, ideally, not overly hyping yourself (who wants to read that?).
Two blog styles can deliver strong traffic and engagement: personal story blogs and problem-solving blogs. At Zoe Marketing & Communications, we’ve used both to help businesses connect with audiences since 2020.
Here’s how each works, along with their benefits and challenges.
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Personal story blogs
People connect with real-life experiences. A personal story blog features someone who used your product or service, creating a feature-style narrative that feels authentic.
1. The benefits
- Authentic & relatable: Readers feel like they’re hearing from a friend or neighbor, not a business.
- Emotional connection: Prospects see themselves in the storyteller’s journey.
- Solutions that ‘hit home’: The relief a satisfied customer experiences feels tangible.
Example 1
A metro Detroit mom who found a summer camp for her child said, “It’s so positive for him, and I love that camp is mostly outside.”
She also loved the camp’s flexible scheduling and payment options. She adds, “I tell everyone that I want to stay, too!”
Example 2
A Chicago dad was looking for a new school. His 8-year-old son was asking for more schoolwork to thrive — and his teacher said, essentially, “Sorry, I can’t help.” His new school filled that gap.
2. The challenges
- Finding the right storyteller: You need someone willing to share details and their name, for trustworthiness — not always easy in sensitive industries like healthcare or law.
- Requires strong writing: A skilled journalist-style writer ensures the story remains engaging yet factual.
- Not always relatable: One story can’t represent everyone’s experience, limiting universal appeal.
Problem-solving blogs
People Google solutions to problems. These blogs outline an issue, explain why it matters, and offer clear steps to fix it.
1. The benefits
- Broadly relatable: These blogs address common concerns, making them useful to more readers.
- Fact-focused: Content is straightforward, informative and easy to scan.
- Direct + digestible: These blogs skip long intros and get to the point fast.
Example 1
Chicago’s official marketing organization published a guide on Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, listing events, exhibits and local businesses — no filler, just helpful information and links.
Example 2
A Michigan health network published a list of 11 things to know after the COVID emergency ended. It answered immediate concerns for a wide range of people.
2. The challenges
- Can feel dry: Without personal elements, these blogs may lack engagement.
- Less warmth: Readers get answers, not stories, which may sometimes feel less relatable.
- Risk of missing the mark: If topics don’t resonate or feel too basic, readers may lose interest.
Choosing the right blog type
Both blog types work — but your goal determines which to use.
- Want to build trust and emotion? Go with a personal story.
- Need to educate and provide solutions? A problem-solving blog is the best choice.
Next steps for creating effective blog posts
The personal story blog and the problem-solving blog both have benefits. One personalizes your product or service, while the other directly solves your prospects’ problems.
Ready to create blogs that engage your audience? Talk to us at Zoe Marketing & Communications. Our experts can craft compelling content tailored to your needs.
Still exploring? Check out these resources:
Ready to Reach More Customers?
Connect with your best prospects — and drive more conversions — with a custom mix of digital ads, content, email, streaming ads, SEO, creative services and more.
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