{"id":973,"date":"2020-11-13T17:29:55","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T17:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firstsiteguide.com\/how-to-write-blog-post\/"},"modified":"2023-10-04T03:57:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T03:57:46","slug":"how-to-write-blog-post","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firstsiteguide.com\/how-to-write-blog-post\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Blog Post (+ The Perfect Structure)","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
Starting your own blog<\/a> site is a dream come true for many. It presents an opportunity for you to make a name for yourself online, meet new people, and establish lifelong relationships with your audience. It also gives you a chance to broaden your horizons, learn, and share your life experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it\u2019s one thing to create your site where you hope to post frequently and connect with like-minded readers, and quite another to actually sit down and write a blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over 7 million blog posts are published daily<\/a>, so how can you make yours stand out<\/a>? How can you attract a wide audience and increase your readership?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer is simultaneously simple and quite complicated. All you need is quality content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The definition of quality content can vary from blog post to blog post, depending on your specific niche and target market. However, there are some universal properties that all excellent blog posts have in common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re just getting into the blogosphere, this list might seem overwhelming at first glance. But don\u2019t worry, that\u2019s precisely why this guide exists. We\u2019ll cover everything about how to write a blog post, starting with how to come up with a headline and ending with how to increase your blog post\u2019s visibility on search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, let\u2019s get right down to it and discover how to write blog posts that draw attention and drive clicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you can understand how to write a blog, you need to understand what a blog post is. It\u2019s not just a newspaper excerpt, and it\u2019s not your diary. It\u2019s a website where individuals and companies can share educational and entertaining content that keeps their readers engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can write blog content to share your opinions on specific topics, provide fascinating insights, and present your audiences with new perspectives and valuable knowledge. Whether you\u2019re writing about your favorite recipes, the best technological solutions of the year, or anything in between, your blog posts should be designed to provide edutainment (education + entertainment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to offer unique content that draws readers in and has them asking for more. And you need to continue providing this content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writing a blog that attracts audiences, increases engagement, and turns a profit can be challenging if you approach it head-on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, we\u2019ve divided it into several steps that are easy to digest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Approaching this process one step at a time will help you quickly and easily master the skill of writing killer blog posts. So, let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, your blog post cannot succeed unless you keep your audience in mind at all times. If you just keep writing blogs to the whole universe or pretend like you\u2019re writing in a diary, your readers will notice. And they\u2019ll feel left out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, to truly grab a reader\u2019s attention, you\u2019ll have to address them directly. The only way to do that is by knowing who your reader is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do some research and find out who your target audience is. Learn about their hobbies, interests, topic preferences, opinions, and more. The more you learn about your target readers, the easier it will be for you to write a blog post that piques their interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re just starting out and don\u2019t have an actual audience just yet, check out your niche competitors and see what kind of readers they\u2019re attracting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve learned about the type of audience you\u2019d like to attract, it\u2019s time to plan out your blog. There\u2019s no need to be too specific just yet. Some brainstorming and note-taking are all you need to do at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps one of the most difficult steps of writing a killer blog post is coming up with a suitable topic. Where do you start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n How can you know if your audience will love it? (Short answer \u2013 you won\u2019t know until you publish it.) The easiest way to write a high-quality blog post is by choosing a topic you\u2019re passionate about. Scribble down a few ideas and general topics that interest you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not passionate about your piece of writing, why should others be? Your readers are pretty smart, and they\u2019re great at reading between the lines. If they don\u2019t feel your genuine excitement about a specific topic, they won\u2019t be excited themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some introspection is necessary for this step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve narrowed down your topic, it\u2019s always a good idea to do some keyword research. This will be essential in boosting your organic marketing efforts and help you to rank higher on search engine result pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can do keyword research the old-fashioned way and simply start guessing which words your audience would use to search for your topic. If you\u2019re thinking about writing a blog post about \u201cexercises to do at home,\u201d some common keywords would likely be \u201ccardio exercises at home,\u201d \u201cbest workout routine at home,\u201d \u201chow to work out at home,\u201d and the like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re likely a master at googling things yourself, so just put yourself in the position of a person who would google your topic. That should give you an excellent insight into your target keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you can also go the easier way and rely on keyword research tools<\/a>. They will automate this process and help you pinpoint the exact keywords that are relevant to your topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a suitable topic and relevant keywords, you can now start planning your blog post\u2019s outline. Come up with a rough draft and jot down a few ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Going back to the topic of \u201cexercises at home,\u201d you could plan out the specific things you\u2019d like to discuss. You could have a paragraph about the overall importance of exercising, then go into the benefits of cardio vs. weightlifting, and finally, list and explain a few specific exercises. Talk about the necessary equipment for a home workout, and maybe even mention a particular diet for a complete health and fitness approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use the keywords to your advantage and rely on them for coming up with a rough outline of your blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s always a good idea to check out the competition before you start writing a blog post. This will give you insight into how your competitors are handling a certain topic and how your shared audience responds to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never copy your competition!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Only use them for inspiration and tips and for learning what you need to do to make your blog post different from theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve got all of the information you need to start writing a blog, it\u2019s time to prepare for the actual writing process. That can be easier said than done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writing is a creative process, so encountering a creative block<\/a> is not unheard of. The best thing you can do to get ready to document your ideas is to remove all distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensure you have a comfortable, quiet place where you can write without anything taking your attention away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have the topic and the keywords, you\u2019ve researched the competition, and now it\u2019s time to come up with a great headline. Many people who see your blog post won\u2019t get past the headline, and the headline might deter those who\u2019d be interested in reading your blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you want to increase your readership and attract wider audiences, you need a gripping headline that boosts social media shares and drives clicks. You can do so by leveraging social currency, providing practical value, or even giving a threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social currency essentially means following a trend. If a lot of people are doing something or are interested in something, others will follow along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blog post examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offering practical value in your headline can always attract readers. You simply need to make it clear that your blog post will be useful to your audience. Most \u201cHow to\u201d articles aim to provide practical value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blog post examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Threatening or warning readers with your headline sounds sketchy, but it\u2019s very effective. It encourages them to take action and see what insights you can offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blog post examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you have the basic outline for your blog post and a working headline, you can start writing your first draft. Avoid using too much fluff and adding sentences just to make the word count. The quality of the text is much more important than the number of words you have. Keep your copy informational, entertaining, and valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you\u2019re writing a blog post, you should always keep search engine optimization<\/a> in mind. SEO will increase your blog\u2019s visibility and help you rank higher on search engines, driving your site\u2019s traffic and boosting your readership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SEO tags<\/a> help search engines understand what your content is about. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for search engine crawlers to \u201cread\u201d your blog and determine its value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crucial SEO tags to include are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to include relevant keywords in your copy if you want your target readers to find you. However, you\u2019ll want to avoid keyword stuffing \u2013 it will harm your SERP (Search Engine Results Pages) ranking and deter many of your readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Include keywords and keyword phrases naturally in your text, and mention them in your headline and headers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Internal and external links are crucial for your SEO. Internal links will inform search engines about what type of blog you\u2019re running. They can also work to keep your readers on your site longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, external links to high-authority websites will improve your credibility and trustworthiness, both essential factors for your SERP ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n Blog posts without any visual content tend to become quite bland and boring. You need to break up the text with images, GIFs, and other media to keep the reader engaged and interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you can\u2019t just add any random visual content \u2013 it has to make sense for your topic. It\u2019s nonsensical to include images of cute puppies if you\u2019re writing a blog on \u201cexercises to do at home,\u201d for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaningful visual content that\u2019s relevant and adds value to your posts is the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest mistake most new bloggers make is editing as they\u2019re writing. It wastes time, diverts your attention, and causes creative blocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, start editing and proofreading after you\u2019ve already written the full copy. Better yet, give it a few hours, then go back to it later. You\u2019ll have a fresher perspective, and you\u2019ll find it easier to improve your text and make it sound better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to be taken seriously as a blogger, you need to ensure that your grammar and spelling<\/a> are impeccable. You don\u2019t have to be all prim and proper, but you\u2019ll want to avoid having grammar grouches in your comment section. So, always edit and proofread before you upload your blog posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, you\u2019ll need to ensure that your blog post is legible across devices. Your readers will be using different smartphones, PCs, and tablets when checking out your blog. And all of them need to be able to see it clearly, regardless of their device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All text, images, videos, and more, need to be clear and adequately sized for any screen. Mobile optimization<\/a> is essential for attracting readers and improving your SERP ranking, so don\u2019t forget about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve gone over the steps to writing a killer blog post, let\u2019s see the perfect blog post template that you should always follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A perfect blog post starts with a perfect headline. Make sure it\u2019s catchy, clear, and that it encapsulates what your copy is all about. Include your primary keyword phrase in the headline to boost your SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is the cheat sheet you can use<\/a> that will help you to come up with headline ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blog sites typically show posts in reverse chronological order, with the latest post appearing at the very top. It\u2019s always a good idea to include the date of publishing on your blog post so that your readers have a nice overview of your most recent entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An author\u2019s bio is always a nice touch, and you can include it either immediately after your headline or right after the conclusion. Keep it short and sweet, mentioning only the essential details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Author bios are a great way to inspire trust among your readers, especially when there\u2019s more than one writer on your blog site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blog post category is a great way to keep your content nicely organized. If you\u2019re running a health and fitness blog, you could include categories such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you upload new content, you\u2019ll include it into a category, and your audience will see what they\u2019ll be getting from it. It\u2019s also helpful for search engine crawlers when they\u2019re going over your blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your introduction will make or break your blog post. It will prompt your readers to close the tab and move on, or it will pique their interest and keep them engaged. So, make your introduction count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep it clear and to the point, and shortly explain what your post will be about. Include the keyword at least once in the first two paragraphs for better SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The body of your blog post should deliver on the promise made by the headline and introduction. If your headline reads \u201cexercises to do at home,\u201d you should explain the suitable exercises in the body of your copy. Don\u2019t just explain the health benefits of working out in general or talk about gym workouts. Focus on the main topic and elaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Play around with different word counts to see what your audience responds to the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the shortest blog posts should include a subheading or two \u2013 it makes the copy easier to scan. When including subheadings, make sure they\u2019re relevant to the main topic and that they contain the information they promise. For your \u201cexercises to do at home\u201d article, a subheading such as \u201ceasy cardio at home\u201d should talk about cardio, not about weightlifting, not about diet, and not about home gym equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Including bullet points and numbered lists is an excellent option for longer blog posts. They break up the text nicely and help to separate ideas or steps into information that\u2019s easy to digest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To truly drive home the importance of something in your blog post, you could use bolded or highlighted text. But use it sparsely. It\u2019s excellent for highlighting something, but the meaning is lost if everything is highlighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interlinking is essential for any blog site. It helps to connect all of your blog posts and allows you to keep your readers engaged with all of your content. Linking to other reputable sites also helps you to build credibility and authority in your niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, don\u2019t include a link in every single paragraph. It will only distract the readers and make you seem scammy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned above, including visual content is an absolute necessity. It breaks up the text and makes it easier to read. It can also help you to explain yourself better and drive home your points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A featured image will help you promote your blog post on social media and other channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offering a quick summary is the perfect way to wrap up your blog post and go over the most critical points. A few sentences should suffice to remind the reader of what you\u2019ve covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A CTA, or Call To Action<\/a>, should be included after the summary. You should explicitly tell your readers what you want them to do after they\u2019ve gone over your blog post. Examples could be to share your post on social media, leave a comment, or subscribe to your blog.<\/p>\n\n\n [VIDEO] How to write a blog post:<\/strong> \u25ba Subscribe for more useful videos<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Defining blog posts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8 easy steps to writing a killer blog post<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Do some target market research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Plan out your blog post<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choose your preferred topic<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget the keywords!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Come up with an outline<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Learn from your competitors<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Get ready to put your ideas to (digital) paper<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Carefully consider your headline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Social currency<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
Practical value<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
Threat<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
4. Get started with your first draft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Pay very close attention to SEO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Crucial SEO tags<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
Keywords<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Links<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Add visual content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Proofread and edit only after writing your blog post<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Blog post responsiveness is essential<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The perfect blog post structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Headline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Author bio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blog post category<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Body<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Subheadings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bullets and numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bolded\/Highlighted text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Links from reputable sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Multimedia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CTA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n