Everything You Need To Know About Writing A Blog Post

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about how to write a proper blog post. Some people say to do this, others say to do that, and the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. So, I’m going to make it nice and easy for you: 

This is everything you need to know about writing a blog post. I’m not just going to give you my own opinion on the matter because what do I know?

But rather we’re going to present the best advice from all kinds of different experts and let you decide which strategies are right for your own blogging efforts.

How to Write a Blog Post From Start to Finish | Neil Patel
Key Takeaways
1. Start with a captivating topic that resonates with your target audience.
2. Research your subject thoroughly to provide valuable insights.
3. Create a clear introduction to hook readers from the beginning.
4. Structure your blog post with headings, bullet points, and images for better readability.
5. Incorporate storytelling to add depth and engagement to your content.
6. Optimize your blog post for search engines with relevant keywords and clear meta information.
7. Encourage reader engagement through compelling CTAs and community-building efforts.
8. Aim for a blog post length of 1,000 to 2,500 words to cover topics comprehensively.
9. Use internal and external links to provide credibility and further reading options.
10. Proofread and edit your content for clarity and error-free writing.

Your Headline Is Your Key To SEO

The first thing readers see when they land on your blog is the headline. It’s the first impression, and it has to be good. If it isn’t, no one will read your post and even if they do get past that moment, you’ll have lost their attention long before then.

If you’re aiming for a high level of engagement with your content and an increased shareability rate (which translates into more traffic), make sure that every single one of your headlines follows these rules:

  • Be short—no more than 10 words
  • Be descriptive—include action words like “how-to” if appropriate
  • Be informative—tell readers what they’ll learn from reading this piece
  • Be clear—don’t confuse them by being vague or indirect in any way whatsoever
  • Be relevant—make sure each headline relates directly back to the title and body text below it in some way
  • Specificity is key! Don’t try too hard at coming up with fancy wordplay or puns here; instead, just try rephrasing what’s already there but maybe making it sound better somehow

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The Most Important Thing You Can Do As A Blogger Is Write

You’ve probably heard this before: the most important thing you can do as a blogger writes. You know that. But how often do you sit down and write? If it’s not every day, then it’s probably time to start! The more you write, the better you’ll get at it (duh). 

And writing isn’t just about churning out blog posts it’s also about honing your craft. To get better at writing, learn from other people’s work by reading their blogs and books; participate in online communities like Reddit or Quora where people are discussing topics related to your niche; 

Read through old posts from your own blog and see what could be improved upon; etcetera…

The point is that there are so many ways for us bloggers to practice our skills outside of simply plopping down at our computer screens every morning with a cup of coffee in hand (or wherever else we might be choosing to sip our beverage).

Start By Writing Down Your Goals

Before you start writing, take some time to write down your goals. Writing them down will help you stay focused on what you want to achieve and can help keep your motivation high.

Write down your goals in a place where they are visible, easy to access, and easy to update. For example: if your goal is ‘write a blog post every week’ then that’s great! But what happens if life gets in the way and things get crazy? 

What if next week is busier than usual? Will this cause problems when it comes time for writing? By making sure that your goals are visible, easy-to-access and can be updated quickly (in case of emergencies), it will save yourself from unnecessary stress later on when things get hectic!

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You Won’t Forget Them Or Get Distracted

As you’re writing your blog post, it’s important to keep your goals in mind. You don’t want to forget what you set out to say or get distracted by something else going on at the same time. 

To avoid this, write down your main points on a piece of paper or in a notebook, or even use an app on your phone or computer. 

If you’d prefer not to write anything down when typing on your computer, use one of those apps that lets you type for longer periods without having carpal tunnel syndrome! 

Or just grab a pen and write it all out by hand you’ll be amazed at how much faster this is than typing everything into Word first before editing it later. Whatever works best for you will probably also work best for staying focused while writing creatively

Use Your Blog’s Name As Your Keyword In Google Adwords

One of the best ways to get your blog in front of people is by using Google AdWords. It’s free, easy to set up and use, and you can target specific keywords that will help your site appear in search results.

In a nutshell, Google AdWords is an advertising platform where you can bid on relevant keywords for ads appearing next to search results. 

For example, if someone searches “how much does an MBA cost?” then one of the top paid ads could be yours! If they click on it, they’ll be taken directly to your site where they can learn more about what you have to offer them (in this case: information about how much an MBA costs).

Use A Tool Like Buzzstream To Track Those Keywords

You can use a tool like Buzzstream to track the keywords you’re targeting. This is especially helpful if you want to track what kind of content is working and what isn’t, so you can avoid wasting time on things that don’t work.

Depending on how much information you want to collect about each blog post, this process could take a few hours or several days. 

It all depends on your goals for each piece of content: some people may be interested in tracking only their top-performing pieces while others might want more detailed reports with information like traffic sources and engagement rates.

You can use Buzzstream to:

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Make Sure The Title And Meta Description Contain Those Keywords

The title and meta description should contain the keywords you are targeting. You can use a tool like Buzzstream to see which keywords your readers are searching for in Google, but you may also want to consider using your blog’s name as a keyword. 

You can do this by setting up an AdWords campaign or getting someone else who has set one up to submit it for you (for example, if you have hired an SEO company).

Write A Killer First Paragraph Of About 300 Words

Your first paragraph is the most important part of your article. It has to be interesting and engaging, while also summarizing the rest of your post and containing keywords that will help readers find it when they search for those terms.

You should aim to write the first paragraph of around 300 words. You can use this as a framework:

First, introduce yourself or someone else relevant to the topic (like an expert). If you’re writing an article about what’s new in iOS 12, for example, include a brief introduction about who you are and why you care about iOS 12 so much.

Then tell us what we’re going to learn from this article for example: “In this post I’ll show you how to add videos on Facebook using Pages Manager.”

Then give us some more context about why we should care about adding videos on Facebook for example: “There are lots of ways people can share video content online today; but because many people prefer watching other people’s videos rather than reading blog posts or articles anymore…”

Finally, end with some sort of call-to-action urging readers not only that they should read your full post after reading its first paragraph but also why they would benefit from doing so for example: 

“If you want more information on how building a successful Facebook Page works then make sure that once finished reading this article (or better yet before) head over here…”

Stack The Article By Writing It In Question-And-Answer Format

The best way to stack your article is by writing it in a question-and-answer format. This makes the information you’re presenting easy to digest and keeps readers engaged throughout your entire post.

If you’re an expert on something, people will likely want to know more about that subject. When someone asks a question about your field, answer them with a full response including any relevant details or statistics. 

Then come back around at the end of your post by asking another question that relates to what you’ve already written (or even expand upon it).

A good rule of thumb is: if they’re asking questions like these, then they probably have some unanswered queries too! 

So don’t be afraid to ask questions right away in order for readers who are just starting out in this area of expertise as well as those who might need some clarification on certain topics.”

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Cut Out Anything That Isn’t Essential

First, make sure you’re not including anything unnecessary. This can be challenging because we all assume our audience knows what we know, but in reality, most people don’t know all the details of your industry or life experience. 

They want what is important to them the main points and nothing more!

Second, keep it short and sweet. People tend to skip over long paragraphs of text on a screen so keep your blog posts between 500–1000 words per post if possible (that’s about 2–4 pages). 

If you have lots of content to share with your readers then consider splitting it up into two posts: one with an overview and another with more detailed information like case studies or other resources they can use to learn more about the topic later on down the road.

After they finish reading both articles together in sequence order online at their leisure depending upon how much time they have available before moving onto something else entirely different during their busy day full of responsibilities where there isn’t always enough time left over for everything we want to be done around here!

Commentary: Yes, But Do Follow The Rules

As a writer, you should be vigilant about following the rules. There are many good reasons for this:

It’s important to protect yourself and your brand. If you’re penalized because of non-compliance, it’s hard to recover from that mistake and get back on track.

The rules exist for a reason they’re there to protect others as well as yourself and the platform itself. 

For example, if an influencer doesn’t disclose an Instagram post they’ve shared with their followers is sponsored by a brand or company.

Consumers can no longer trust that influencer’s recommendations or insights into products or services that might help them improve their lives in some way (or even just make them happier).

Your fans will thank you for following the rules because they know what’s coming from your posts which means they can plan accordingly.

When it comes time for them to make purchasing decisions based on what someone else has said about something online before making their own decision about whether or not something is worth trying out themselves!

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Conclusion

Your readers want to go on a journey with you, and they want to feel like they’ve gotten something out of the experience. 

That’s why we highly recommend following these tips for writing blog posts: they’ll make your content more accessible, more engaging, and more likely to get attention from potential readers. 

To set yourself apart as an expert in your field, you have to know how people read online content and what makes them keep coming back for more.

Further Reading

Check out these additional resources to enhance your blog post writing skills:

How to Write a Blog Post: A Step-by-Step Guide – Learn the essential steps to create engaging and effective blog posts.

How to Start a Blog: The Ultimate Guide – Get started on your blogging journey with this comprehensive guide.

How to Write a Blog Post: Tips and Examples – Explore practical tips and real-life examples to improve your blog writing.


FAQs

How do I begin the process of writing a compelling blog post?

Starting your blog post on the right foot is essential. Begin by identifying a captivating topic that resonates with your target audience. Research your subject thoroughly to ensure you’re well-informed and can provide valuable insights.

What are some key elements to consider when structuring a blog post?

Structuring your blog post effectively improves readability. Start with a clear introduction that hooks readers, followed by well-organized main content. Use headings, bullet points, and images to break up the text and make it more visually appealing.

How can I optimize my blog post for search engines?

To optimize your blog post for search engines, incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout the content. Create a descriptive meta title and meta description, and ensure your post has a clear URL structure. Don’t forget to build internal and external links to reputable sources.

What role does storytelling play in blog writing?

Storytelling adds depth and relatability to your blog post. Incorporate anecdotes, personal experiences, or case studies to make your content more engaging. A well-crafted narrative can capture readers’ attention and keep them invested in your message.

How can I encourage reader engagement and interaction?

Encouraging reader engagement involves ending your blog post with a compelling call-to-action (CTA). Invite readers to share their thoughts in the comments section, subscribe to your newsletter, or explore related content on your website. Respond promptly to comments to foster a sense of community.

Is there a recommended blog post length for optimal engagement?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, blog posts typically range from 1,000 to 2,500 words. The key is to provide comprehensive and valuable content that addresses the topic thoroughly. Longer posts often perform well, as they tend to cover subjects in greater detail.