How to write a good blog post – 10 top tips

In this article I will give you 10 tips on how to write a good blog post, and by a good blog post I mean one that people will read to the end and, hopefully, share with others. A post that will increase your website’s visibility online, both by ranking highly on Google in its own right and also pushing your whole website up the SERPS (Search Engine Results Pages). In this article, I will share some of the key steps to writing a blog that will engage readers and lead to shares, likes and, in time, a loyal following.

Define your purpose

The first step in mastering how to write a good blog post is to figure out the overarching aim of the post. For example, are you looking to reach readers something or simply entertain them? By having a clear goal for your blog post, it will be easier to keep it focused. Your audience will then be more likely to read to the end.

Know your audience

It’s essential to know your audience if you want to produce effective content. Establishing their demographics, interests and pain points will make it easier to think of blog posts that they’ll find useful. My blog is aimed at small business owners who are trying to get to grips with running a website, so an article about writing blog posts was a no-brainer!

Plan your content

As with all forms of writing, a plan or outline will help no end. One of the best ways to do this is to list your main points first. Then you can flesh out each point one by one. You will not be surprised to hear that I did exactly that with this blog post!

Create attention-grabbing title and subheadings

Writing strong headings is one of the most powerful tools a copywriter has when blogging. But it’s also a tricky skill to master. The title is the most important of all because it’s what people see on social media or in search results. So, it has to really stand out. Subheadings also need to grab the reader’s attention to keep them engaged to the end of the blog post.

To write eye-catching titles and subheadings, try to say a lot in a few words. A phrase like ‘5 tips on how to…’ is common but effective because the reader knows exactly what they’re getting. Some writers like to be controversial or contrary with the heading, just to pull the reader in. Do whatever works for you and your audience, and always try to stand out from your competititors.

Write intriguing introductions

If the title has succeeded in getting someone to engage with you, your introduction then has to keep them interested. The intro’s job is to set the tone for the post and to hint at what is to follow, without giving too much away. Numerous methods will work here, such as raising a thought-provoking question or sharing an intriguing fact that will pique the reader’s curiosity.

Provide valuable content

This ties into tips 2 and 3 where I talked about knowing your audience and planning your content. The key to writing a good blog post is ensuring that it ultimately delivers value to the reader. You want them to not only read the post but also to come back for mor. Ideally they will bookmark your site or, better still, subscribe to your blog. By understanding your readers’ pain points and planning your blog to find solutions to those points, and also by linking to other sites that can help them further, you will ensure that your readership will grow over time.

Be concise

Remember that reading online is not like reading a novel. When we read blog posts, we want answers to questions as quickly as possible. This means your blogs have to get to the point, fast. Short sentences that are free of jargon will engage your readers for longer, and it will do wonders for your Google rankings.

Use striking imagery

We like to see images when we’re reading online. Images break up a blog beautifully and turn the text sections into bite-size chunks. The more beguiling and attractive the images are, the better. Obviously, make sure you have the relevant rights to any images or photos that you upload.

Include a call to action

Don’t forget to include a call to action (CTA) at the end of your blog post. One of the main reasons for writing blogs is to encourage visitors to either buy from you or follow and/or share your content with other people, so don’t fall at the last hurdle! Include a CTA such as ‘Subscribe to our blog’ or ‘Contact us today for a quote’ so you maximise your blog’s effectiveness.

Edit and proofread

Last but definitely not least: edit and proofread your content. Or better still, get someone else to do it. A fresh set of eyes, especially those of a professional proofreader, will ensure that your blog is error-free and conveys your intended messages effectively.

When it comes to learning how to write a good blog post, you need to consider many factors, and I’ve covered some of the main ones. Follow these steps and your blog posts will be of value to your readers. Over time, you’ll build a following who will not only like what you say but will share it with others. Writing effective blogs will also help your Google rankings more dramatically than any other SEO technique – and I’ll cover the SEO side of blogging in a future post.