So you want to know how to write an effective blog post? Sadly, there’s no magic formula but there are a few guidelines that can help gravitate readers to your content. I know it’s easy to want to write about whatever comes to mind but it’s important to go in with a plan when writing. You want your message to come across as clear as possible, so both you and your readers are happy!
Know Your Audience
Know who is reading your content. There needs to be a reason to each one of your posts, something your readers can take away. Whether it’s an idea for an outfit, a new workout routine, a recipe to try, anything really. If you see people gravitate towards your more personal posts, don’t be afraid to sprinkle in a little more of your everyday life. It’s all about finding a balancing and figuring out what works.
Eye Catching Intro
You want to intrigue your readers the second they click on your post. Are you trying to make their lives easier? Or maybe sharing some insight you’ve learned recently? Draw them in and clearly explain how they will benefit from reading your content.
Quality Images
Quality content is equally as important as having high-quality images. People are more likely to spend time on your blog if they find your images captivating. If you can’t afford a DSLR camera, no need to fret! There are some great mobile apps you can use to edit your photos on your phone.
SEO Content
When it comes to getting your content seen on search engines, you want to make sure to look up keywords beforehand. Google AdWords is a great way to find what people are searching on the web. Try to incorporate these words into posts, that way Google bots and web browsers have an easier time analyzing your content and pushing it to the top.
Link Images
Make sure to link your images, for example, the photos used in this post. They’re both directly linked back to their sources — Charmingly Style and Lakeshore Lady. If you choose use photos from other resources, be sure to include the URL. It’s important to give credit where credit is due.
Minimum 300 Words
In order to be considered substantial for Google, your post must be no less than 300 words. Typically, when it comes to blog posts — the longer the better. Also, people are more likely to share content that’s of substantial length. Take this post, for example, it will reach around 500 words. That’s decent but reaching 1,000 words would have been even better!
Check for Typos
This one might seem like a no-brainer but it’s essential. We’re human, so it’s OK to have grammatical errors from time to time. But consistent misspellings or punctuation errors can hurt your credibility. If you’re like me, you’ll love using Grammarly, it’s a game changer. It’s an online proofreading tool that has saved my butt plenty of times.
Be sure to check out Blogging for Keeps, a website created by Chicago bloggers’ Blair of The Fox & She and Jess of The Golden Girl Blog. It focuses on the ins and outs of blogging, from photography to brainstorming content. Also, if you’re looking to get a better read on your analytics, check out Worth of Web. This site helps you get a handle on your traffic ranking, the number of visitors, and your demographic.
Have any other great tips for writing effective posts? Let us know down below!
Written by: Ashlee O’Neil