How to write a blog
The most important thing to remember about writing a blog is actually to write the blog. Procrastination is the death of many a-would-be blogger. So always remember a great blog must start by putting aside time to think and write……. A well-written considered blog will attract readers comments and build an audience.
Some thoughts…
Writing a blog is not hard, but it does require a little knowledge. A good blog is all about the content; a blog must engage the reader and with each new posting continue to compel both the blogger and reader to continue to share thoughts.
Bloggers have a multitude of styles, and certainly no style fits all, nevertheless there are a few lessons that we have leant that may help those starting out, or those who perhaps want a little inspiration.
Let us start at the start:
How to write a blog post:
It is critical to remember that blogging is supposed to be fun, if it’s not fun, stop and change your approach. Often things can be a little easier understood and remembered if we lay out our thoughts in a structured format, so here is the “A” to “I”. Before we dive in, just a word or two of caution; It is easy to get in the habit of thinking we have a great idea for a blog, and before we fear the idea might dim, we rush to the computer and race to publish. The problem with this approach, such blogs read like they were rushed, they lack the impact required to engage the reader and as a result few will recommend and the blog fails in its primary purpose of engaging others.
Writing good content requires some thought, and that will require some time. The ideas and words must be considered, will they confer your thoughts and will be more likely to engage.
A. Write about a topic or subject you know or have strong feelings. You’ll attract others if the blog is informed and considered.
B. The title of the blog must attract readers. Potential readers of your blog must be informed and attracted by its title. Remember often readers will be working with RSS feeds and search engines.
C. The first sentence is essential if readers are to read on. It is really important to gain the readers interest early and then draw them in to the blog.
D. What is your point? A great blog must have a point, it must say something that will interest, engage and promote further conversation.
E. What do you want the reader to do? In marketing terms a great blog will often have a ‘call to action’, requesting that readers do something, - to take some action, such will help make the post memorable.
E. Take time to review the content of the blog prior to publishing, and ask can you add more substance to the blog. Such does not mean writing long blogs, remember Mark Twain’s quote; “I did not have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one instead”. Concentrate on adding depth and removing all that is just fluff.
F. Spelling, grammatical and punctuation mistakes can frustrate many readers and the substantive point the blog is attempting to convey may be lost. Check for errors and make suitable amendments. Simple mistakes greatly undermine the power of the content.
G. Publish the blog at an appropriate time. Blogs can be set to publish at a future date and time to best suit the intended readership or topic.
H. Promoting the blog will ensure readership increases exponentially.
I. Interact with other bloggers and those adding comments to your blog.
Sometimes things can just flow; words come easily and the blog seems to write itself, at other times we need to push ourselves, but at such times, taking time to review the above will greatly aid the result.