Great blog posts don’t magically attract readers. But by applying some good strategies, your blog can attract and retain your ideal readers.
Here are seven habits for effective blog posting:
1. Tip 1 – Have a clear target
The first rule for creating effective content for your business blog is to fully understand why you’re blogging. Have a deep understanding of your ideal reader’s profile (your customers) and your core message as it relates to your business. If you have a really clear idea of who you’re writing for, writing will be easier. Your blog posts will be on target and purposeful. You won’t wander into topics irrelevant to your audience.
2. Tip 2 – Know what your readers want
Always write with your readers in mind. Write as if you’re answering the question “what’s in it for them?” Your readers are always wondering if this blog is worth their time to read. You’re more likely to engage them if you “walk in their shoes”. Address the main issues and concerns of the reader. If you don’t know what they are, ask.
3. Tip 3 – Edit regularly
So many blog posts start with “The other day, I was thinking about…” or “You know, summer is almost over and…” A blog post is not an essay and it’s not poetry. Get to the point right away. Follow the KISS rule = Keep It Simple, Sugar! That means you can actually write less.
Write short, narrative sentences and eliminate unnecessary words. This means reading your post over and over before publishing. It’s not a problem if you haven’t been trained to be a journalist or taken many writing classes. If you can write an email, you can write a blog post. However, your blogging skills will improve when you proofread before publishing to make sure you’ve eliminated all unnecessary words.
After you click the ‘publish’ button, read your post again. Usually, this is when you’ll catch spelling or grammar mistakes that you previously missed. Show respect for your readers by having a clear copy. Readers won’t take long to abandon your blog; some may unsubscribe just because of your careless spelling mistakes. In the online world, your word is all you have.
4. Tip 4 – Create keyword-rich headlines
Write compelling headlines using strategic keywords related to your topic. Keywords are often advertised as gold by search engine optimization experts who want to charge you an arm and a leg for their services. But make a complex issue simple.
Put yourself in the shoes of your ideal reader. If this reader is searching for information or a solution to a problem on Google, would she find you? List all the words or phrases she might use to search for you, your business, and your solution. These are the keywords and keyword phrases that you want to use regularly on your blog. When you write headlines for your blog posts, use these keywords. This alerts both search engines and readers about what’s important in your post.
Conduct keyword research occasionally Carrying out keyword research from time to time will help you stay updated on what your potential customers want. You’ll know exactly how your readers are searching for the information you have. Use the free keyword suggestion tool at WordTracker to do this simply. Your blog post’s title can also make it easy—or difficult—for people to find the information they want. The title should be as descriptive as possible. Don’t be vague. You can be cute (but not too cute), as long as what you put in the headline clarifies what you’re actually writing about or what the reader is about to learn.
Remember, it’s all about your readers. It’s about helping them find and use the content you provide for them. Blogging will be a fruitless task if your readers can’t achieve what they want when reading your blog.
5. Tip 5 – “Write compelling opening lines”
This tip is a crucial piece of advice for writers, especially those creating content for blogs or online platforms. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Optimize Your First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your blog post plays a critical role in engaging your readers and setting the tone for the rest of the content. Using the same keywords in your first paragraph as you used in your blog post’s title can help with search engine optimization (SEO), making your post more discoverable to potential readers. It also provides consistency and sets clear expectations about the content that follows.
State Your Point of View Immediately: Rather than building up to your main point or argument, it’s often more effective to state it right away. This approach grabs the reader’s attention and gives them a reason to continue reading. It also helps to establish your voice and perspective early on, which can make your writing more compelling and relatable.
Use Clear Keywords: Keywords are not just important for SEO; they also help to convey your message clearly and concisely. By using clear keywords in the first sentence of the first paragraph, you can immediately communicate the main themes or topics of your post. This helps readers to quickly understand what your post is about and decide whether they want to continue reading.
Summarize Before Closing: Before you close your blog post, it’s a good idea to summarize the main points or takeaways. This reinforces the information and makes it more memorable for your readers. It also provides a clear conclusion to your post, giving readers a sense of closure and completeness.
End by Asking for the Reader’s Opinion: Engaging your readers is a key part of successful blogging. One effective way to do this is by ending your post with a question or prompt for your readers to respond to. This encourages readers to interact with your post by leaving comments, sharing their own experiences or perspectives, or asking further questions. This not only increases engagement but also helps to build a community around your blog.
In conclusion, “Write compelling opening lines” is a principle that emphasizes the importance of a strong start to your blog posts. It’s about immediately engaging your readers, clearly communicating your main points, and encouraging interaction and engagement. By following this principle, you can create blog posts that are not only informative and interesting but also highly engaging and effective in reaching your audience.
6. Tip 6 – “Keep it short and spacious”
It is a valuable piece of advice for writers, particularly those writing for online platforms. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Short Paragraphs: The idea behind keeping paragraphs short is to make the text more digestible for readers. Large blocks of text can be intimidating and difficult to read, especially on digital screens. By limiting paragraphs to one or two sentences, you create a rhythm that allows the reader to pause and absorb the information before moving on to the next point. This approach is particularly effective in online writing, where readers often skim content.
White Space: White space refers to the empty space between elements on a page, such as between text, graphics, and margins. In writing, it’s the space between paragraphs or sections. White space is important because it gives the reader’s eyes a break and helps to prevent fatigue. It also helps to guide the reader’s flow through the content, making it easier to navigate and understand.
Single Sentence Paragraphs: Sometimes, a single sentence can have a powerful impact when it stands alone. This technique can be used to emphasize a point, create dramatic effect, or make a transition between ideas. Remember, the goal is to communicate effectively, and sometimes less is more.
Reading on Screens vs. Paper: Reading on a computer screen or mobile device is different from reading on paper. Screen glare and the physical act of scrolling can make it harder for readers to focus on the text. Therefore, online content needs to be formatted in a way that is easy to read quickly and effortlessly. Short paragraphs and plenty of white space can help achieve this.
Catering to the Reader: Most importantly, remember that most readers are in a hurry. They want to find the information they need as quickly and easily as possible. By keeping your writing short, spacious, and well-structured, you make it easier for readers to grasp your message, enhancing their overall reading experience.
In conclusion, “Keep it short and spacious” is a principle that promotes clarity, readability, and effective communication in writing, particularly in the digital space. It’s a reminder that good writing is not just about what you say, but also how you present it.
7. Tip 7 – Use bulleted lists
Use bullet points and lists as often as possible. This makes your writing easier to:
- Read
- Scan
- Understand
- Remember
Research shows that people prefer digestible and broken-down information. They will remember your message more easily if you present it to them in a list of three to five items. Some online writing experts also advise keeping lists at odd numbers of bullet points, but the important thing is to use lists whenever you can.
There are many ways to ensure you have great blog posts. These seven tips provide a starting point and a good checklist to help you go in the right direction and create content that your readers will love and that will drive them to action.
