Tips To Write A Successful Blog Post
The writing process behind a five-paragraph essay is the same for an online blog post, right? NOPE!
A blog post requires a few more steps – from background research to formulating a newsworthy headline to discovering a solution. At Social Stamina, we are here to get you ready to rock the world of digital publication!
Generating an Idea for Your Blog Post
Like in other written pieces, you need to start with an idea. Let's set the scene: say you work for a construction and landscaping company.
Your central focus is that field, but you need to research the needs of your market. Conduct some research on landscaping keywords you should include in your blog. Doing so will help with search engine optimization and increase traction to your website.
There are several online tools to help you do such, both free and paid. You can use good old Google and get some ideas on what keywords work. If you are looking for a different and easy-to-use free option, we recommend Ubersuggest.
Creating A Hooking Headline for Your Blog
You’re taking the time to write your blog post and want to ensure the world gets to see it. There are common themes within online searches that can help, but how do you find them?
If you don’t have the time to look up which buzzwords get the most engagement, use resources like Buzzsumo.com, Answer the Public, or Ubersuggest. These researchers will let you know what words or symbols draw in most readers.
Keep in mind your target audience might not be the same as someone else. Make sure to write a catchy headline that draws in your key demographic. Even better, write one you would click on no matter what the topic may be.
To put this into perspective, let's refer back to our example. In our case, the headline "The end of landscaping" may be too general. Try “The end of deforestation" instead to bring in more external users.
The Introduction of Your Blog
When working in the digital world, you are constantly fighting to grab users' attention. These days, a pop-up advertisement can quickly divert a potential reader onto the next page.
Because it is the initial part people see, your introduction is the most influential aspect of your blog. In general, it should include a hook and a snapshot of what is to come in the post. This first paragraph should also follow a 2-3 sentence rule – you don't want to give everything away!
As a professional, you may want to validate your expertise and credibility as well. Use keywords that introduce your background and support your overall blog topic.
The Body of Your Blog Post
Short paragraphs, short paragraphs, short paragraphs!
When skimming your blog content, readers need to digest your information quickly – so keep it to the point! Most people read blog posts from their phones and don't want to scroll through pages and pages to find a solution to their problem.
Make sure to have some variety within your blog posts too. Switch between different typography and paragraph styles to keep the reader interested.
Fun tip: Incorporate short phrases and lists to offer a more conservative style that highlights important areas of your post (kind of like what we did here!).
Presenting The Solution in Your Blog Post
The last puzzle piece to your blog post is your offered solution. You want readers to feel they are leaving with something valuable. Stay on-topic and clear about how you would answer the question at hand.
Hey, think of it this way: your insight may be why readers come back and lead you to your next client.
Promoting Your Blog
Find the platform that is right for you. For one business, it may be LinkedIn; For another, it may be Facebook and Instagram instead.
This is where your background research comes in handy. Track the apps your audience is most prominent on and capitalize on them. Doing so will help narrow down what you’re writing about, why you are writing it, and who it should reach.
Honorable Mentions for Blog Writing
Use Headings – H1’s, H2’s, and H3’s are extremely important in blog writing. H1 captures the overall theme of the post. H2 is a subheading that reinforces your H1 and overall theme. An H3 does the same by coinciding with your previous headings.
Add Internal Links – Internal linking connects your content to other pages on your site. Doing this helps search engines get an idea of your website structure. For example, if we wrote a blog about the best social media marketing company, we would hyperlink to our services or about Social Stamina page as shown.
Now that you know some blog-writing basics, it's time to get out there and DO IT. If you have any questions about your next blog post or starting your blog, we are always here to help!