Cut through the internet noise with a blog post that grabs the bull by the horns. Many people can write a technically good blog post, but a really good blog post takes planning and practice. Here are the elements for what makes a good blog post and make it stand out from the rest.
Attention Grabbing Headline
You could write the most brilliant blog post known to the internet and have no one read it because the headline is bland. Your blog post headline needs to grab readers’ attention and let them know that this is the definitive post to read on the subject. I share several pointers for how to craft great headlines recently here. Don’t make your headline an afterthought. Instead, start with a great headline and use that to guide your writing.
Captivate from the Start
Draw readers in with a compelling introductory paragraph. It does not need to be long, but make sure it is interesting enough that people will want to continue reading. Grammatical and spelling errors will turn people away, so proofread carefully. Start with a quote, a question, or a claim that lets readers know immediately what your blog post is about.
Organization
Clearly organized blog posts appeal to readers. Long segments of text can be a turn-off, so break up the text with headers. This will help organize your blog post into visual chunks of information that readers can absorb quickly. Checklists and bulleted lists are another way to organize your information for readers to access easily.
Use Images
Photos and drawings are perfect for breaking up text and for making your post more visually appealing. Great pictures draw readers in, and they can be used in several ways. If your blog topic is a bit dry or technical, fun imagery or photos can add some interest to the post. A graphic like a flow chart or checklist can help summarize your content visually for readers. Photos can also be used to illustrate the points you are making in your post.
Proofread
Always proofread your blog posts multiple times before you hit publish! Credibility is important, and readers will struggle to see your content as reliable if it is full of grammatical errors. There are many proof-checking tools and apps that you can use, such as Grammarly, to assist you.
Practice makes perfect, so just keep writing! Use these pointers as a guideline and you will be well on your way to writing great relatable blog posts. What makes a good blog post? Above all, you do!