Writing
blog posts used to be one of my most dreaded tasks, but recently I am
dreading it less, sometimes I actually like it! Ever since I spelled out
the steps I need to go through, the job is a lot more fun. The formula I
follow ensures that I am putting out the best content that I can. So, I
decided to share it with you (with breaks for coffee, included!). Here
is my very basic primer on how to write a blog post. Let me know if you
find it helpful.
Who knows? You may even end up enjoying the process, too.
(Note: If you need help coming up with
topics, writing headlines, or even finding great photos, check out the
links at the end of this post.)
Choose your Topic
Brainstorm your way to an editorial
calendar, so you have multiple ideas readily available, and schedule a
date for each idea. This calendar not only helps to keep you
accountable, but it provides a place for you to brain dump ideas. If you
are like most people, you probably struggle to come up with compelling
topics.
Once you have set a schedule, do not be
afraid to change your mind. If something comes up that, you just are
dying to write about, and if it makes sense for your audience, do it!
You can always move the post you had scheduled to another time.
Decide the purpose
Why are you writing it? Is it helpful?
Informative? Controversial? Entertaining? Are you trying to prove a
point or share some thoughts?
Determine the tone
How do you want to engage your audience?
With humour? Straightforward facts? A nuanced discourse? Always keep
your audience in mind. What approach will best reach most of them?
Let your thoughts flow
At this stage, just let your thoughts
flow and get them down on “paper.” I actually use a notebook and a
pencil and some writers suggest that you do not even lift the pencil (or
pen) from the paper. Do not worry about grammar, spelling, or even the
form of your post (i.e. a list, an infographic, a straight essay, etc.).
Just write.
Do your research
Some blog topics require a bit (or a
lot) of research. It is helpful to read what other writers have to say
about your topic, or you may need stats to prove your point. Google puts
the world at your fingertips, so use it! If you end up quoting another
writer or if you use stats from a different website, give credit where
credit is due with a link either in the body of your post or at the end.
Write your first draft
If you are lucky, you will be able to
use a lot of what is in your free writing. But at this stage, pretend
you are working on your final draft. Use the active, not the passive,
voice; keep your sentences clear, avoid run-ons, and break new thoughts
into paragraphs.
(Tip: Do not type directly into your
blog software. Use a Word document or something similar. It is much
harder to correct mistakes in your blog than on a document.)
Decide on form
Read your first draft and decide which
format your blog will be in. Is it appropriate for a list? Does it lend
itself or an inforgraphic? Do you need more charts or other graphics to
prove your point? I have discovered that when I make this decision at
this stage, my blog posts make more sense.
Create your headline
It is the subject line when your blog is
emailed, it is the text in tweets, it appears on Facebook posts, etc.
Developing a great headline is as important as creating the content.
Find the perfect image
The human brain processes pictures much
faster than it processes text. So an image will help your readers more
quickly understand what your post is about. Choose one that is
completely relevant to your content and if you do not want to pay for
usage, make sure it is licensed for free commercial use.
OK, now’s the time to for your final
draft. You have decided on your format, your headline, and you have a
good working draft that you can now polish.
Proof-read
Many bloggers live in fear of publishing typos and incorrect information, so you should tend to proof-read.
source: Socialmediatoday.com
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