7 STEPS TO WRITING A GREAT BLOG POST

You’re sitting at your computer ready to write your first blog post. The cursor is blinking at you…waiting. And you suddenly just drew a blank and have no idea what to write. Take heart, you’re not the first person this has happened to. It happens to all writers and bloggers at some point in their life. You can’t even call it writer’s block. It’s more like…writer’s freeze.

Take a deep breath. Go get a cup of coffee and reset yourself. Writing a great blog post isn’t as hard as it seems. Some people can whip them out without thinking. Others…not so much. All you really need to write a great blog post is these seven steps.

Step 1: Know your audience.

Who are you writing your blog post for? If you want to gain followers, you need to know your audience. You need to understand what information they are looking for when they come to read your blog. For example, as an author, I try to write blogs that help other authors with writing tips and tricks. I also share pieces of fiction with my audience as they also enjoy reading those snippets of stories. Look at the type of blogs your competitors are producing and adjust your topic list accordingly.

Step 2: Plan out your blog post.

It’s always a good idea to sit down and have an idea of what you want to write. Choose a topic, do your research, and check your facts, then outline your blog. By taking the time to go through the motion of creating an outline, you know exactly what you’re going to write about, what headers you can use when laying out your blog on the screen and give yourself a road map to follow.

Step 3: Craft a headline that reel your readers in.

Your headline is just as important as the content of your blog, maybe more so. Your headline should be informational while still enticing your reader to click on it and read your blog. It should be easy to understand, give your reader an idea of the topic, and be specific. Your headline is your first impression. You need to make sure it is a good one.

Step 4: Write your blog.

Follow your outline and make sure it still makes sense. Keep your paragraphs to about three to five sentences, and your sentences to 20 words or less. This makes it easy to read. Most of your readers will skim the blog before they read it. By using short paragraphs, subheadings, and bulleted lists, readers can determine whether or not they want to take the time to read the whole blog.

Step 5: Find some cool images to add.

Images are great for communicating complex ideas, adding some flavor to your blog, and improving the flow. Make sure your images relate to your blog and make sense. Using captions beneath your images helps drive the point of the blog and its related image home with your reader. Images, such as graphs, are also a great way to impart additional information without bogging down the blog. If possible, add alt text to your image. This helps readers who are visually impaired understand what the image is and how it relates to the blog.

Step 6: Edit. Edit. Edit.

Before you hit that publish button, edit your blog. Read it aloud to make sure you didn’t repeat yourself, that it flows well, and is appealing. Make changes and adapt it as needed until it is the way you want it. Once you have edited it, edit it again. Then publish it.

Step 7: Include a “Call to Action” or CTA to your blog.

What do you want your readers to do once they have finished reading your blog? Do you want them to share your blog? Comment on it? Sign up for a contest or mailing list? Your “call to action” or CTA at the end of your blog should ask your readers to do something in order to spark engagement. It should be clear and concise. Don’t be afraid to ask your readers to do something to help promote your brand.

You don’t need an English degree to write a blog. All you need is a good grasp of your audience and a topic they will enjoy learning about.

What kind of blog would you like to see on my site? Drop me a line and let me know.