Ever fall into the "last minute" blog routine? By this I mean, it's 8:30 am Tuesday morning and you have a blog post due by 9 am? You can't miss that deadline because you've set up this (great) routine and your followers expect it.
The routine is awesome! But, whipping off a blog in 30minutes is NOT! Don't do it!
Now, let's clarify, I don't mean you have to spend 3 hours on each blog, for it to be a good blog. No.
I do mean that writing a blog for the sake of getting a blog done is NOT a reason to blog. You're readers will feel it.
Each blog must have a purpose beyond "filler content".
Use these 5 key blogging techniques so that you never have to write a blog for the sake of checking it off your "to do" list ever again.
1. Have a Defined Topic
First, it is most important that you clearly decide what the mission of your blog will be. What's in it for your readers if they read this blog? (Notice I didn't ask what was in it for YOU. Blogs are all about your readers).
Additionally, what do you hope your readers will know or understand afterward?
Keep your topic simple and distinctive.
2. Spend Time on Your Title!
The title of your blog post is going to show up EVERYWHERE! Don't whip it off, or wait until the very end and then put something long or random.
First, it needs to grab the attention of real people. Imagine yourself in the checkout line of a grocery store. While your waiting for the people ahead of you to finish, which magazine do you pull off the rack? For me, it's always the magazine with the most enticing article titles.
If your blog title isn't enticing, it isn't getting "pulled off the shelf".
Second, your blog title is going to be what Google Search Algorithms pick up and analyze. Thus, whenever possible and applicable, include one of your top keyword phrases.
3. A First Sentence Is Like A First Meeting…
How amazing are your first sentences? Now that you've succeeded in catching your reader's attention so well they've clicked through (kudos!) KEEP THEM!
Your first sentence will make or break your blog. Either people will stay or leave depending on what it says.
Why? With the internet so saturated and schedules so full, you have 3-7 seconds to hook your readerso well that they choose to stay over doing something else. They will make their mind up that quickly.
Thus, you need a dang good opening line.
A provocative question, or a bold statement, each makes for a great opening sentence.
Like the header, your first sentence is also highly analyzed by search algorithms, so where you can, include your keyword phrase.
4. Make it Easy
It is key to make your blog easy to read in two ways.
A. Make it easy for your reader to scan your blog and find the key points. This way they can zero in on the steps or tips they find most interesting. To do this, use sub-headlines, bullet points, numbers and bolded phrases. (Notice this blog…what did we use?)
B. Make it easy for your reader to take action at the end. Don't just say "please comment and share". Instead, give them a specific, EASY question to answer. If your reader doesn't have an immediate answer pop into their mind uponreading your question, your question's too vague.
5. Read Aloud!
When you finish your blog, read it out loud! If there are sentences that don't flow off your lips well, fix them.
Or, if you tune out at different points during the blog, SHORTEN IT! If you don't find your own blog interesting, how can you expect your readers to enjoy it? Likewise, a blog that can easily be read aloud is a blog readers will gain more from.
Lastly, it is easier to find grammatical errors when you read your blog out loud.
Which of these 5 steps will you start to focus on when you blog?
If you are already doing all 5 steps, which one do you think is most crucial? Why?
Please comment and share below…
Pssst…
Did you see how I ended my blog with two very clear questions so that you know what to include in your comment below?J Good stuff, huh?
Great idea about shortening your post for better scanability.
Glad you got some great info, Kristen!
Great post – thanks for sharing! I have had a time or two when I try to write like mad to get a blog post done, but I realized it didn't work. I now write mine way ahead of time and schedule them to post. Much easier and less stress!
Super smart way to blog!
I've been working on my titles but never gave much thought to my opening sentence. Thanks, Kim that will be my project for next weeks post.
These are great Tips,Kim! I love this picture too! I try to get that title to peak interest! That's a great tip! I'm so loving the new site!
I plan to start making it easy for reader to take action (4.b)! I have not been consistently asking questions at end of my blog post. Thanks for the great tips!
You are most welcome Tonya!
Your title is EXACTLY what brought me in.
Getting keywords in
Bold, #'s, lists
short, crisp, easy to read
ask a question… oops I know I miss this one!
thanks Kim very useful info
Thank you so much for more great information. I need to pay more attention to questions at the end and focus on #1 by sticking to a defined topic. Sometimes I find myself adding other information that could be left for another post/topic.
Hi Kim!
Great article and tips! Thanks for the reminder to being consistant on doing my blog.
Looking forward to hearing the big secret
Great tips. I already complete some of these steps, but I often forget to read my blog out loud when I finish. Definitely making a note to do that with my next post
It really does help, Melony!
Great tips, but … "You're readers will feel it." should read "Your …"
Thanks Soo!
Hello frnds,
Thanks for such a nice tips.
Really title must be effective to catch the eye of readers. and content must be simple, short and knowledgeable.
Glad you got some value from the article!
…and your first 5 sentences of this post – Amazing!
Thanks Gary!
Awesome and useful post! Well yes, one should think of a blog title which grabs the attention of visitors and moreover it's a good strategy to use top keyword phrase(s) in the title to be found in the search results and to rank higher for the specific keyword(s). Thanks for sharing
Glad you got value from this one, Nizam!
…opening sentence is where I’m focusing first. I make it easy to read with sub-headlines, bullet points and bolded phrases, not big on numbers. Thanks for the tips
You are most welcome!