Are you new to the art of blog writing? Does it seem like a daunting task? For the longest time, I used to find it rather difficult to get started. I didn’t know where to begin and how to go about it. One look at a blank page and my mind would hit a block, but over the years I’ve narrowed down some easy tricks that help me write better and I’m here to share them with you. The following blog writing guidelines should help you get a good start with your writing process.
Understand your Audience
The first step to be taken care of before starting the writing process is to identify the target audience. It’s very important to understand the crowd you are writing for. This will prevent you from blogging about generic topics and move towards writing the stuff your audience actually wants or needs to hear. It also allows you to see things from their perspective, write in a manner they’re comfortable with and be empathetic about their views.
Research and Analysis
A proper analysis of your topic is the basic foundation of a good blog. One wrong fact and all of your hard work will be wasted. Devote a good amount of time to your research and get all the facts right. Once it is done, the writing process becomes easier as you have all the information at hand.
Title
The key to a great blog title is keyword research. Understand what your audience is searching for and give it to them. The title should be as catchy as possible and should clearly explain the purpose of your blog. It’s tricky work to give your blog an attention-grabbing title and when I find myself struggling too much with this, I turn to these few sites for ideas:
Introduction
This part can make or break your blog, as it’s what draws your audience in. It’s really important to grab the reader’s attention, usually by identifying with them. You only get a few seconds to do this, and if the reader loses interest in the first few lines, he/she will stop reading. An introduction should connect with the audience, talk about the reason they clicked the link in the first place and explain how you’re going to address the issue.
Subheadings
Subheadings divide your blog into sections. If someone is scrolling through your blog rather than reading every word, the subheading should be able to give them a quick gist of what you are talking about. They should be captivating, short and self-explanatory.
Blog Writing
Now that you’ve put together the basic structure of your blog, it’s time to dress it up. Keeping in mind the old axiom, “No fun for the writer, no fun for the reader”, writers should take full interest in what they are about to write. Originality is essential, so avoid copying content directly from your research and don’t use complicated words, stick to the kind of words that your target audience understands. I’ve found that writing the blog in a single sitting helps to stay focused on the topic and minimizes the chance to forget crucial points. The content should be short and clear so that the reader never loses interest.
Add Images
Images help your blog post flow more effectively. Visual elements help attract readers and make complex topics easier to understand. Try to add an image for each section of the blog and make sure it visually summarizes the topic in that section.
Insert a call-to-action (CTA)
At the end of every blog post, add a CTA that indicates what you want the reader to do next; whether it’s to subscribe to your blog, contact you, leave a comment or share the article. Say it in as many words in a welcoming manner. It shouldn’t seem like a task or command but like the inviting next step.
Content Editing
The editing process is the last and a very crucial step to write a good blog. Never overlook the importance of it. Spend a good amount of time in content editing, proofreading and editing again. It’s not simply striking out the sentences that don’t work or fixing grammatical errors. It’s about seeing the piece as a whole and editing to make the content look better. Here are some points to keep in mind while editing:
- Avoid Repetition: Keep a proper check on the repetition of particular words, sentences or concepts.
- Make sure it flows nicely: Read it a couple of times to see if it all sits well together.
- Keep it short and concise: No one has the time to read long drawn paragraphs, make your point in as few words as possible.
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RedAlkemi was created out of the desire to deliver measurable online success to its customer base. The founders consider themselves the alchemists who work with passion (Red) to develop processes (Alkemi) that turn a basic digital presence to a measurable and successful one, therefore the name RedAlkemi.
Yes, it’s possible! Motivated by innovation, RedAlkemists believe they can help take your business to the next level. In an ever-evolving online environment, our vision is to keep “Shaping a holistic digital presence for businesses through innovative processes.”
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