There are several pieces to the jigsaw of creating a great Blog post that ranks well in the search engines.
These include understanding a Reader’s search intent and writing a relevant response to their search.
Then there’s the on-page optimisation of the blog post to make it easier for the search bots to identify and index the post so we can appear in the search results,
and of course there is also the actual subject matter of the post and a great blog post title.
I cover all of these sections, and they should be considered equally, but this post deals solely with the actual content within the post.
How To Write A Great Blog Post
Writing a great blog post can be an over-whelming process at first, but by following some key steps you can craft a piece that truly stands out.
An outline for writing a great blog post should include the following steps:
- Decide on a topic that will engage and interest your readers
- Research the topic to make sure it is well-informed and accurate
- Create an outline of the post
- Write the first draft of the post
- Go through the post again to perfect its content and tone
- Review your work for accuracy (& check for typos & grammar errors)
Select A Topic
When choosing a topic for your blog post, it is important to pick something that will interest your readers.
This can be something related to current events, an opinion piece on a timely topic, or even industry advice.
It is important to have some understanding of who your target audience is and what they are most likely looking for when considering the kind of content they want to read.
The more you know, about them, the better you can tailor a topic that appeals specifically to them.
Additionally, if there is something you are passionate about, this could also be used as inspiration for your blog post topics and help make the writing process more enjoyable as well.
Research The Topic
Bloggers have it much easier these day as they can research a blog post by using search engines to find relevant information.
Unfortunately, most Bloggers will stop there
But they should also take advantage of any other online resources they have access to, such as library databases or articles from respected publications in the field.
Social media platforms can also be used to gather insights and opinions with regard to the topic.
Additionally, interviewing experts in the subject could also provide valuable insights that are not easily discoverable online.
This research can add significant value and become a reason for people to want to share your finished piece.
Finally, primary research conducted through surveys and polls can also deliver more direct answers on the specific topic being researched.
Outlining Your Blog Post
After you have completed the necessary research, you need to create an outline of the post that you are going to write.
An outline helps organise your thoughts and keep track of all the points you want to make throughout the body of the post.
This is simply a way of breaking down the items you want to cover and their running order within the post.
This also makes the writing process easier.
Think about how this post is laid out.
I wrote the bullet points at the top, then I created the headlines and then I wrote the content for each section.
Instead of writing 1200 words it felt like I was writing 200 words on six different sections, which psychologically feels easier.
I didn’t actually count the words, I never do. I just write what’s needed to complete the article. It’s good advice to follow when you write a lot. Don’t become caged by word count.
Outlining allows for greater efficiency when writing because it keeps you on track and prevents any unnecessary tangents or distractions.
Write A First Draft
Now that you’ve brainstormed and outlined your post, it’s time to start writing!
It can be helpful at this stage to imagine that you are talking directly to your audience in order for them to better connect with what you are saying in the post.
This means using language that is easy for everyone to understand
avoiding jargon as much as possible
and making sure not to overwhelm readers with too much information at once.
You also want each sentence and paragraph in your blog post to flow logically from one point into another
this allows readers to easily follow along with your train of thought without getting lost or confused in the process.
Content Tone & Fact Check
The tone used in a blog post has the power to drastically alter the message that is being conveyed.
For example, a more professional and matter-of-fact tone would give the impression of authority and experience,
while a more casual and conversational tone could make the content easier to digest and understand.
Depending on what you are writing about, it’s important to consider which type of tone would be more appropriate for your particular audience or topic.
Additionally, using certain words or phrases can lend credibility to the message or create a sense of humour to lighten up an otherwise serious topic.
Ultimately, how you adjust the tone will depend on what type of message you want to transmit in your blog post.
We also need to check for consistency between our claimed facts and our sources of information.
Review For Accuracy
Once the review is complete, it’s worth going through it again to perfect the content layout and make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors that would detract from the overall message of your blog post.
You then need to also ensure the overall structure of the post is logical and flows smoothly.
Structuring your post in a way that is visually appealing will encourage readers to keep scrolling and engage with you
Also consider the readability of the post and make sure it is engaging for your readers.
When writing Blog posts, the layout of the content should be carefully considered in order to make it as easy to read as possible.
Using lists or bullet points can help highlight key points and make them easy to identify.
Shorter paragraphs with plenty of white space will help:
- break up lengthy blocks of text
- and make it easier for readers to scan through quickly
Finally, review the post one more time from an editor’s point of view to ensure everything meets a high standard before publishing it.
Final Thoughts
Writing an effective blog post takes some time and effort but when done correctly can result in increased engagement among readers and higher rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs).
As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, it’s also worth learning about the following
- Understanding User Search Intent
- How To Write Great Blog Titles
- How to Write On Page SEO Friendly Content
They all play an equal part in being able to produce great content that ranks well.
