“Write a blog post,” they said. Easy enough. You make a cup of coffee, sit down at your computer, and get ready to make magic.
Except, well, you’re not sure what to write about, or how long your post should be, or how it should be organized. And then there are the distractions. What’s in the news lately? Let me look up something… oooh, what’s this other related article? The rabbit holes are everywhere.
Blogging has a unique structure and style, and some writers consider the format to be lowbrow. When you know how to turn blog post ideas into finished articles consistently, however, you’ll have an easier time reaching your target audience.
Key Takeaways
- Blogs are sometimes considered lowbrow, but they’re actually a terrific way to build website traffic.
- hat’s because blogs are the battle ax of choice for search engine optimization, the practice of making web pages more likely to appear in Google search results.
- Quality blog posts have a unique writing style. They are actionable and easy to skim.
- You don’t need great writing skills to be a great blogger. Focus on making the information clear and helping your readers.
Here’s a bit more about how to write a blog, along with six steps you should take every time you tackle a new blog post topic.
Table of Contents
Why Care About Writing Blog Posts?
Blog content has been around almost as long as the internet itself.
When search engines like Google came around, a hierarchy developed around which web pages get shown to certain users. Search engines want to show users valuable, relevant content so that they’ll have a good experience and use the search engine again.
Tons of people use search engines, so if you have a content-rich web page that gives information about a certain topic, there’s a better chance it will be shown to users in the search engine results pages (SERPs). These users have search intent, meaning they were already looking for the information in the first place; we consider users who have search intent to be more valuable.
A successful blog is one that participates in search engine optimization, but also one in which the blog content is good. Write blog posts that your target audience would love to read, then use relevant keywords and on-page SEO to get them seen by new people.
Pro Tip:You can still sprinkle creative writing techniques into blog posts, and you should! If trying to reach new readers, though, make sure you are following SEO best practices.
How to Write a Great Blog Post
Whether it’s your first blog post or you’ve been using a blogging platform for a while, blogs are a way to share information-rich content with your readers. Let’s now dig into how to get your own blog moving, along with why a content management system can help you stay organized.
How to Write a Blog Post, Step by Step
No. 1: Choose Blog Post Ideas Based on Your Goals
Before diving into the writing process or messing with a first draft, it’s important to get clear on what your goals are for your blog.
Most people blog because they either want to increase website visitors, educate people on a topic, or both. To do this, we want to conduct keyword research. Keyword research is the process of seeing which words or phrases users are searching for. Keyword research tools like Ahrefs, Surfer SEO, and WordStream can help you with topic ideas.
You don’t always have to choose topics based on keywords. Perhaps there’s a topic in your industry you really want to explain or talk about – go for it. If you don’t have a large existing audience, though, and these posts are not optimized for SEO, you’ll have a harder time reaching new people and getting readers interested.
Forecast:
In 2024 and beyond, it will likely be important to focus on long-tail keywords and conversational search queries as voice search continues to gain prominence.
No. 2: Outline Your Document
Next, plan out your article. A great blog post has an outline that is clear and easy to follow. Figure out what you want to talk about and in what order.
For formatting, take a page from journalism and use the inverted pyramid style. In the inverted pyramid, the most important information in an article is shared at the beginning. Details are then repeated throughout the article in more detail; this repetition helps users grasp the main concepts.
No. 3: Write a Great Headline and Lead
Your headline can make or break your blog post.
That’s because the headline is what determines whether users are actually interested enough to click through and read. Once users have arrived, keep their attention with an opening paragraph, also known as a lead, that is clear and compelling.
Headline formatting is its own beast. When writing headlines, keep the following in mind:
- No clickbait. Don’t promise readers something in your headline, then fail to deliver.
- Keyword presence. If optimizing for SEO, your keyword should be in your headline somewhere.
- You can have two headlines. The blog title is what shows on the page, whereas the SEO title is what shows in search engines. These can be different. Always put the keyword in the SEO title for content focused on SEO.
Bloggers overlook the power of a good opening paragraph. Your opening paragraph should be enticing, setting the tone for the rest of the blog post. Introduce your topic and highlight the value readers can expect to gain from reading further. A summary lead or anecdotal lead can be effective here.
No. 4: Focus on Skimmable Formatting
The structure of your blog post can significantly impact the readability and user experience. Figure out how to post in a way that makes your blog topics concise and easy to scan.
Incorporate the following elements into your blog post:
- Subheadings. Use descriptive subheadings to break down your content into smaller sections. This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the structure of your post.
- Short paragraphs. Keep your paragraphs three sentences or less. This makes your content more visually appealing and easier to scan.
- Bulleted lists. Utilize bulleted lists to highlight key points and make your content more skimmable.
No. 5: Incorporate Multimedia
Your blog post doesn’t have to only be words. You might find as you start blogging that information is easier to present in the form of a graphic, chart, or video.
Blog posts are like little content campaigns; incorporate relevant images, videos, infographics, or other multimedia elements to enhance your content and engage readers visually.
No. 6: Optimize for SEO
Optimizing your blog posts for search engines is crucial to increase visibility and drive organic traffic. Here are some key SEO considerations as you start writing:
- On-page optimization. Include your primary keyword in the URL, meta title, meta description, and header tags. Make sure your content is well-structured, properly formatted, and free of grammar and spelling errors.
- Readability. Write in a concise and conversational tone. Use bullet points, short sentences, and subheadings to break up the text.
- Internal and external linking. Incorporate relevant internal links to other pages on your website, as well as reputable external links to authoritative sources. This improves the overall value and credibility of your blog post.
- Mobile optimization. Ensure your blog post is optimized for mobile devices, as a significant portion of internet users access content through smartphones and tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Bloggers Make Money?
You can make money blogging through display ads, sponsorships, or selling to users directly. All of these techniques work, but they require time and patience to develop.
Are Blogs Still Relevant in 2024?
Definitely! As content on social feeds continues to get shorter and more punchy, there’s a craving for deeper, more informative content.
How Do You Write a Good Blog Post?
- Define your objective.
- Do keyword research.
- Outline your post.
- Incorporate multimedia.
- Focus on SEO.
Can Anyone Write a Blog?
Yes, anyone can write a blog. You just need a place to publish your blog online. This can be your website, or a third party website like Medium.
What’s a Good SEO Tool for Writing Blogs?
Surfer SEO, Ahrefs, and SEMrush are all excellent tools for learning about SEO. If you just need quick and cheap keyword research, Keywords Everywhere is a great browser extension.
What Does a Good Blog Post Look Like?
It’s relevant to readers, answers questions, and is easy to skim. Remember that users are often reading articles on their phones; make your content easy to read.
Write Your Next Blog Post Today
Blogs are a powerhouse way to grow your business or brand long-term, but they can feel overwhelming at first. Find the workflow that fits your schedule and you’ll find your groove. ◆
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