How To Write A Killer Blog Post?
Writing a first-rate blog post can take some time. Even if it’s not rocket science, there are specific strategies you can use. Bear in mind that your blog content should be not only intriguing and educational enough but also easy enough to find. In a nutshell, the content and search engine optimization need to be well-balanced.
Neal Schaffer, a social media strategy consultant, content marketing master, and author, emphasized aligning the content with the business objectives. Also, it’s impossible to create something that stands out without being yourself, being passionate about your subject, and being generous in sharing your knowledge.
Yet the question remains: ‘How to write a killer blog post?’. Following these steps will get you out of any trouble.
Step 1: Target your audience
The key to writing blog posts is finding your target audience. You don’t want to write something that nobody wants to read. You can avoid that by only being aware of your target audience. But how can you find out who is it? Well, let’s start from here.
Use Social Media
Social media is the perfect tool for collecting data. If you’re spending a lot of time on Facebook, for example, your own Facebook feed can help you. You can learn about people’s opinions and interests by seeing what they like or dislike—another way is by joining different groups. By analyzing which problems they are facing what products they want to use, you can learn more about your target audience.
The Comments Section on Competitive Blogs say something
The comments section on competitive blogs is not useless at all. On the contrary, reading through the comment section on the most popular articles will give you answers to worthy questions.
Use Known Statistics
You can easily use free information and statistics to learn more about groups of people. In this way, it will be much easier to spot your audience.
Step 2: Do some keyword/phrase research
Picking relevant keywords or phrases improves your search engine optimization because these are the foundation of SEO. Unfortunately, if no one is searching for what you’re writing about, you won’t get traffic from Google. That’s why it is imperative to use proper keywords and phrases.
But if you don’t know precisely what keywords/phrases should use, think about what you would type into Google. By all means, you can also start keyword research. The whole process of understanding the language your target audience use when searching for your services, products, and content is based on keyword research. You will avoid creating content about things nobody is searching for by taking this into account.
Step 3: Structure your blog post
Many new bloggers are caught in a trap by writing ineffectively. By structuring your post, you will get rid of this problem. Hence, how to structure your blog post cogently? Well, let’s give you some hints:
have a clear introduction
The introduction has to be clear enough because it maps out what your post is about. Moreover, it has to attract the reader’s attention. Don’t be ambiguous when it comes to writing. Point out both your focused topic and your thesis.
use headings
Using headlines, you will focus the reader’s attention on the paragraph’s main idea. The heading should be clear and logical to allow readers to understand what the whole text is about.
keep paragraphs short
Writing long paragraphs can easily discourage readers from understanding your content. That’s why it’s essential to write short paragraphs and cover only one topic per paragraph. Short sections are easier to read and understand too.
write in plain English
Writing in plain English allows the reader to understand the message the first time they read it. Thus, always use short, straightforward sentences to not sound like gibberish.
use your voice
Be passionate about what you write. Decide who you’re writing for, and you will find your voice.
use the proper number of words
Don’t write too much or too little! Check out some data and see what’s the ideal blog post length if you’re looking for a general principle, written between 1500 and 300 words.
use compelling imagery
Funnily enough, people will judge your content based on your imagery. Imagery can make you stand out and tell your story consistently.
have a conclusion and a call to action
Step 4: Hook your reader with a suitable title
Your title is your first hook and drops your readers into the middle of the action. Simultaneously, it would be best if you remembered that your title must adhere to Google’s SEO guidelines and not exceed 65 characters. Either you have 65 characters or less to grab the reader’s attention and keep it.
Step 5: Use search engine optimization (SEO)
You can incorporate SEO in your writing by considering tips such as those mentioned before. Additionally, by making internal linking a habit, you can send new readers to look at your older relevant posts.
Internal linking is a great tool to link your new and old posts by developing a contextual relationship between them.
Last but not least, make a strong impression in the SERPs (Title, Meta Description, and URL).
Step 6: Start writing
Ready, steady, go! Once you’ve made your mind map of what blogging should look like, you can start writing. Start slowly and build the entire content.
Document yourself and use your imagination. Reading is the key in all the phases of the writing process. It helps you figure out how ideas and topic matter should develop.
Step 7: Design your blog
Picking a suitable blogging platform will allow you a wide range of design possibilities. It is essential to use images in your blog posts to help your readers understand your content better, but they may also rank first when people do a Google search (image).
However, when choosing an image for your post, make sure it matches the topic of your blog post. If you can’t find an illustration for your blog because the subject is more abstract, then be creative! You can be innovative with the images you use. Think of images that relate to your abstract topic or use illustrations.
Step 8: Include a conclusion and a call to action
Without a doubt, endings are necessary. Ending your blog post on a high-pitched tone will give you the power to stick with the readers even after they finish reading your blog post. There are some tips and tricks for writing compelling conclusions, such as:
- ending with a quotation;
- inviting the reader to go in a different direction;
- finishing with a dollop of something else;
- circling back to the beginning.
Also, if you want to wrap your blog post nice, include a solid call to action. A killer call to action uses a strong command verb. Don’t be vague, and don’t dilly dally. Be specific and let your audience know what you want them to do. You can use words that provoke emotions or give your audience why they should take the desired action.
Wrap up
Writing a killing blog post can take some time, but blog posts give you a unique opportunity to connect with readers. Open up a chance for them to see the value you bring and connect with them.
And let’s reflect on what Barrie Davenport, the founder of two top-ranked personal development sites, said: ‘Be yourself. If you’re funny, let that show in your posts. Take a different position with your topic or write something slightly controversial. And be sure your post offers a lot of value and provides great advice, answers, or solutions that are actionable.’
We’re sure you will rock it if you follow these steps.