When running a blog, you want to create content that engages your readers and keeps them coming back for more. But with so many types of content to potentially create, how do you know what’s best for your blog? Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about “tangential content” – but what exactly is it, and should you be using it on your blog?
What Is Tangential Content?
Tangential content refers to blog posts, videos, or other content assets that are related to your main blog topic but don’t directly address it.
For example, say your blog is primarily about cooking. Examples of tangential content could include:
- A post on organizing your kitchen for maximum cooking efficiency
- A video showing viewers how to sharpen kitchen knives
- An article profiling popular chefs and their backgrounds
- A listicle of “10 Must-Have Cooking Gadgets”
So it touches on related subjects but doesn’t contain specific recipes or cooking techniques. It orbits the core topic without directly covering it.
Tangential content allows you to expand your blog’s scope beyond just your main focus. This serves two key purposes:
- It helps attract new audiences from related niches. Someone might find your tangential content when searching for kitchen organization tips, get value from it, and then check out some of your recipe content as well.
- It adds variety to keep existing readers engaged. Switching up your content types helps prevent your blog from getting repetitive or stale.
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Should You Use Tangential Content on Your Blog?
Generally speaking, content can be a smart addition to your blog. Here are the advantages that Tangential content mainly offers,
- Expands Your Expertise
Showing you can provide value on a range of loosely related topics makes you appear more of an expert in your field. It shows depth beyond just one specific focus.
- Provides More Entry Points
Every content piece provides another potential entry point to your blog – and if done well, a way to funnel those readers to your core content.
- Gives Readers Variety
Sprinkling in tangential content gives your readers variety in article types, perspectives, and information. This makes staying engaged with your blog more rewarding.
- Lets You Target New Keywords
With tangential content, you can target informational keywords and long-tail keyword phrases that are related to but distinct from your primary targets. This expands your reach and visibility.
- Creates Fresh, Evergreen Assets
Much content is evergreen, meaning it stays relevant for a long time. These posts can continue building traffic over time.
Keys to Creating Quality Tangential Content
While tangential content offers some great benefits, you’ll only realize them if the content is high quality. Follow these best practices:
- Relate it back to the core focus. While tangential, it still needs to connect with your blog’s primary topics and audience. Don’t go totally off-topic.
- Offer true value to readers. The content needs to serve readers’ needs, not just promote your blog. Provide useful tips and insights.
- Watch your scope. Narrow tangents tend to work better than broad ones. Don’t spread yourself too thin.
- Match formats to topics. Some tangents work best as videos, others as infographics or checklists. Pick the right format.
- Promote your core content. Work in links back to related core content when relevant.
- Monitor performance. Pay attention to which its content gets the most positive response, shares, and conversions. Do more of that.
Tangential Content Ideas to Try
To spark some ideas for your own content, here are a few examples:
- A podcast interviewing experts in the niche
- Public domain and Creative Commons image galleries
- A glossary defining key industry terms
- Collection of the best industry quotes and sayings
- Polls and surveys of your audience’s opinions
- Reaction posts to relevant news developments
- Roundup posts with links out to complementary resources
- A master list of the most essential people to follow
There are limitless possibilities for tangential content ideas. Brainstorm what types of related, non-core content would bring value to your readers.
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