HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE BLOG POST
Dec 10, 2012
A good blog post attracts readers, encourages them to share your content, increases traffic to your website and can even improve your Google ranking. Well-written blogs can also work wonders for the local business, as it increases credibility. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be on your way to an effective blog post.
1. Pick a good title
The very first words that your readers (and Google) see are the most important. The title is like a trailer for a film in that it needs to grab readers’ attention and convince them to read the whole article. Spend some time coming up with the perfect title – jot down a few ideas and do some research from other successful blogs. These are real examples from two popular blog posts:
“50 Things Every Link Builder Needs to Know” – Instead of 5 or 10 examples, this article promises more than 50. It makes the post valuable to the reader.
“The Biggest Christmas Tree in the World” – The superlative is difficult to ignore, and plus it’s highly relevant with Christmas only a few weeks away.
2. Write an inviting introduction
Invite your reader to join you in exploring the topic by asking a question in the opening paragraph, or by addressing the reader directly. Imperatives work well too, like “follow these tips” or “read our guide”. Another inviting approach is to tell a personal anecdote, which sets a good tone for the rest of the article.
3. Stick to one topic
Picking a topic is one thing, sticking to it is another. Make a plan and try not to deviate from it, as it can confuse your readers. However, if you do come up with other ideas while writing your post, make a note of them and use them next time you update the blog.
4. Write short paragraphs
Big chunks of text put people off, especially when it comes to online content. Short paragraphs look more inviting, and are proven to increase reading speed. Keep it to one point per paragraph, and include bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate.
5. Proofread – more than once
Don’t rely on a quick read through once you’ve finished the article. Proofread it a few times, and if you want to be extra careful then get someone else to read through it too. You may have written a killer blog post, but your readers won’t think so if they see a spelling error.
6. Write about what’s new
Write about what’s new in your field before everybody else does, and your blog post will outshine the rest. If you are writing as a local business, keep up to date with local news and events which your target audience may be searching for. For example, if you are from Bridal Boutique in Kent, inform your blog readers about the local wedding fairs, especially the ones you are visiting. Whilst keeping ahead of your competitors, it builds a connection with your readers and encourages them to make contact with you.
Above all, the more time and effort you put into a blog post, the better it is going to be. If you need any help with setting up a blog, feel free to email laura@thecreationlab.co.uk or use the Creation Lab contact form.
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