Most of the “Top Ten” type articles I see about improving your blog are filled with platitudes, like “Post regularly” and “Post relevant content.” Some drill down a little and offer ideas for the types of content you could post.

I want to go a step further and offer something specific. Here’s one tip to improve your blog. This will be most useful for people who are using a blog to promote and/or report on a conference, convention or meeting.

Step 1: Get a list of education session presenters, including their email and phone numbers.

Step 2: Send an email to presenters explaining that you want to interview them for your blog. Here’s some boilerplate:

Dear XX:

My publication is blogging about NAME OF EVENT before, during and after the show. I’d like to interview you about the session you’re presenting so we can promote it ahead of time on the blog. Are you available for a quick interview sometime this week or next?

Step 3: Follow your email with phone calls. Get presenters on the phone. Conduct the interviews or set appointments to do the interviews within a given timeframe.

Step 4: Here are some questions to ask presenters:

1.    Who should attend this session? Who is the ideal audience for this session? Who would get the most out of it?
2.    What do you hope the audience will learn? What do you want to them to walk away with?
3.    Describe the scope of your presentation? What are the key highlights?
4.    What are some frequently asked questions you get about this topic?
5.    Why is this topic important?  Why should people attend this session/webinar?

Step 5: Ask for a head shot, company logo and any other artwork you can use.

Step 6: Write story based on interview or format as a Q&A.