You can choose whatever topic you like to write about but there are essential elements that you need to include for your blog post to be successful and appeal to your audience. I’ve compiled a quick fire how to guide of 10 must have items to incorporate within your blog post;
1) Who’s your audience?
Before you even start writing you want to know who it is that you are writing for? Who are you aiming your blog posts at? Spend time brainstorming/mind mapping etc. to figure out who your ideal market is.
If they were a real person standing in front of you what would they look like?
2) It is all in the title
Darren Prowse of Problogger.com states that, ‘8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest. This is the secret to the power of the headline, and why it so highly determines the effectiveness of the entire piece’
This says it all. The effectiveness of your title says it all. It sells your piece. It should relate to your article but needs to be eye catching enough for someone to click and read you blog.
3) What tone and style of voice do you choose?
By this point you’ll have a good idea of who your audience is. This dictates or at least should dictate how you address them. Write in a style and tone that your target market can relate to. Speak their language.
Make it human. Remember real people will read your piece. Write as if you are just having a conversation. Keep it natural.
4) Break it down
I’m not referring to the dance floor but to breaking down large portions of text. Use bullet points and numbers. Headings as well as subtitles. Pictures, infographics quotes etc. Make your blog attractive to your intended reader.
5) Cut the Jargon
The art of a good blog isn’t in showcasing how many long words you can squeeze into a sentence. It’s actually in being able to guide your reader easily and with flow from the top to the bottom of your article.
6) Use visual aids
Ensure you use a pop of colour in your titles and subtitles. This helps to break down large chunks of texts into more readable and user-friendly formats. Pictures are another great way to guide your audience form start to finish and is appealing to the eye.
7) Back it up with additional resources
Whatever it is that you are saying use quotes from respected industry sources and those within the field you are writing to aid authenticity.
Use numbers wisely. Data is a useful tool in backing up your point and adding weight to your opinion. For example you could use something like this;
According to an article written by Ash Read on Buffer Social in June 2016, 55% of readers will read your blog post for 15 seconds or less.
8) Remember you are building a brand
Whether it be your own personal blog, professional blog or one you write for someone else you are creating a brand as well converting readers. Be careful to think what you want to create and how you want to come across.
9) Ensure you create flow and edit well
We are in a society where most of us are time poor. Your blog needs to flow like water off a ducks back. You want to make it as easy as you can for your audience to be able to start and end your piece. Be mindful of distractive texts and fonts. Keep it simple. Edit well. Leave time from writing to making edits to your blog
It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly. C J Cherrah
10) Always end with a call to action -CTA
Always always make sure your blog post concludes asking your audience what you’d like them to do. It could be you want them to make contact, to follow you on social media platforms, to take advantage of an offer.
Whatever it is do state the obvious. Don’t assume your readers will know what to do.
So that’s my guide. Anything you would add? Use these points to help compile your posts and let me know how you get on.
Need to know what to write? Try this: You know your audience, you know the problems and questions they have and are likely to ask. Solve these in a blog post. Having a clear problem and resolution formed post shows expertise and adds weight to authenticating your knowledge and skillset.
What are your absolute must haves that you always include in your blog posts? New to this? Need a little help? Get in touch. Let’s chat to see how I can help.
Email me at ambersmith@simplyamberlou.com, like and share my posts and follow me on Twitter @simplyamberlou or LinkedIn Amber L Smith.