10 Tips for Writing Better Blog Posts

This is a guest post by James Adams.

Building a successful blog is one of the most challenging endeavors a writer can embark upon, but it's also one of the most rewarding. Building a like-minded community based around what you write can be a thrilling experience. However, your blog won't go anywhere without quality content and regular postings. While promotion and networking is vastly important, nothing is more essential than top-quality postings. These ten crucial tips will help you consistently write better blog posts.

blog created everyday   Britain Going Blog Crazy by Annie Mole

 

1. Write Substance

Ask yourself before every post, "What is this post really about? " You should never write a post simply because you feel the need to post today or you made a goal to always post on Wednesdays. Each post should be focused around a clear main idea or subject. Similarly, avoid fluff. Fluff introductions or conclusions that don't really say anything should be rewritten or eliminated. Don't write for a word count, write for substance. Here are a few content suggestions in case you are running out of ideas.

 

2. Make Your Headlines as Strong as Your Content

A headline is generally what draws the reader to the post in the first place. Make it count. You want your headlines to entice readers, to make them click on as many of your posts as possible. You won't achieve this with boring headlines. Use strong verbs and avoid passive tense. Make the reader want to know more about your topic.

 

3. Banish Text Blocks

No one wants to read a 1000 word paragraph, least of all your flighty internet readers. The internet audience has a notoriously low attention span, so make it easier to skim your writing by using frequent paragraph breaks and subject headers. It makes a large portion of copy seem much less intimidating. Headers also help the reader get the most out of your text by giving them an introduction and an preliminary concept to the following section. Basically, it gives your readers a "starting point" for the attached section. Pictures, videos, and short bulleted lists also serve as excellent text breakers.

 

4. Utilize Lists

People, especially web readers, love lists. It's comforting to have a large portion of information broken down into bite-size tips or steps. Lists are easy to skim, easy to digest, and easy to remember. It's why we make grocery lists instead of grocery prose.

 

5. Self-link

Once you've snared a new reader, what's to stop them from leaving your page immediately after reading your article? Internal linkage can be a blogger's best friend for keeping readers around for a while. Internal links are links to other posts or content within your blog. For example, if you briefly discuss hummus in an article about healthy eating, link to a previous post about hummus recipes. If you mention an actress in your fashion blog that you've talked about before, link to all articles featuring that actress. By including more links, you're giving readers the option to read more of your work about something they're already interested in.

 

6. Don't Ignore Your Readers

Engage them. Respond to their comments and suggestions. One of the best tried-and-true blogging tips is to ask for your readers' input or suggestions at the end of each article. When you show an interest in your readers' opinions, they're more likely to share them, join the conversation and come back for more. After all, the capacity for instant reader-author conversations is what distinguishes the blogosphere from traditional print mediums.

 

7. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

It may seem obvious, but small grammatical/spelling mistakes make your blog look amateurish. Don't forget to fact check all of your posts as well. Incorrect information discredits your voice and your blog. Remember, editing your posts is every bit as important as writing them. If you can, put your post away for a few hours and look at it again later. Distancing yourself from a post will help you catch errors you wouldn't have noticed earlier.

 

8. Tighten Your Posts

Once you're done checking for grammatical, factual, and spelling errors, go back and remove any clichés or unnecessary words. Anything you can do to shorten your post will improve your writing immensely. Look closely at every adverb and adjective. Do you really need them? Nine times out of ten you'll find these words are unnecessary, especially in informative articles.

 

9. Don't Be Too Formal

Even if you have a doctorate in English literature, there's no need to show off those big words. Never use a ten-letter word when a four-letter word will do. You'll wind up isolating your audience. Also, remember that blog writing is much more informal than a newspaper or technical writing. Blogging is conversing, so strike up a conversation with your readers. A welcoming, informal tone is much more inviting for visitors.

 

10. Write Often and Write Well

Writing is a skill. While some people may have a gift for words, they still need to hone their writing skills just like everyone else. Writing frequently will keep your skills sharp and refined. However, you're not doing yourself any favors if you consistently write sloppily. Treat your blog with a high regard and aim to make every post an example of your best writing.


About the author
James Adams is one of a small team of writers who work at www.cartridgesave.co.uk, a leading UK based supplier of ink cartridges.

28 comments to "10 Tips for Writing Better Blog Posts"

L o r d R a j November 25, 2010 at 4:31 PM    

"Anything you can do to shorten your post will be improve your writing immensely. "

Ahem...Proofread and distance yourself from the post.

Mrs K November 26, 2010 at 2:31 AM    

These are useful tips,Thanks !

Emenike Ojiako November 26, 2010 at 5:56 AM    

Powerful tools for bloggers indeed!

cheap accessories November 26, 2010 at 9:39 AM    

Fantastic article - Thank you very much.

admin November 26, 2010 at 10:47 AM    

thanks, for tips :)
try this tips in my web http://collectionfood.blogspot.com/

Kunci Bloging November 26, 2010 at 11:55 AM    

Great article.
I will repost this article on my language Indonesia.
Thank you very much.

cik helena November 26, 2010 at 8:49 PM    

agreed! :)

Greenlava November 26, 2010 at 9:36 PM    

Thank you James for this article.

@Mrs K, Emenike Ojiako, cheap accessories, admin, Kunci Bloging, cik helena
Thanks for commenting guys. I hope the article helps.

Unknown November 27, 2010 at 4:36 PM    

Thanks - I can use this for all my blogs.

L o r d R a j November 27, 2010 at 9:07 PM    

Thanks for publishing my comment (finally) and more importantly, thanks for fixing the typo.

Greenlava November 27, 2010 at 9:08 PM    

@L o r d R a j
Typo corrected. Thank for spotting that.

Admin December 10, 2010 at 12:45 AM    

So informative thank you very much! I'm a new blogger and it surely helps... I know the best phrase on this post is (proofread).

Lgali December 14, 2010 at 2:14 AM    

very nice tips

Rohitha December 21, 2010 at 3:24 PM    

I understand that when you talk about blogging you naturally assume it is about writing. But what about images or using diagrams. One of the main ways in which you can create entertaining content is via diagrams such as mindmaps and flowcharts. I think this is a great link that proves this point – https://creately.com/blog/diagrams/3-reasons-why-you-should-quit-writing-well-sort-of/

Jayce December 28, 2010 at 7:59 AM    

Good title is good to SEO too. :)

banipenetpentrutoti May 11, 2011 at 2:58 PM    

Lots of interesting advice found here.
Thank you.I will repost this article on my language.My readers need these tips.And I, of course!

Harish May 15, 2011 at 10:38 PM    

nice advice found here... :)

printers ink December 14, 2011 at 2:58 AM    

tips are amazing nice data i get its contain the lot of nice information

Printer ink cartridge January 18, 2012 at 2:48 PM    

I agreed with your post. This is top ten tips for writing a blog as an expert.

printer toners April 7, 2012 at 7:03 PM    

This post will surely helps newbies who are in learning process and i am sure they will acquire huge about their content writing. every point is very vital to make your post best from all.

Onwaweb May 9, 2012 at 5:16 AM    

Post often? How often is enough? 10 times a week? 3?

Santosh Mishra August 27, 2012 at 6:41 PM    

Blogging is good for anyone, who is looking a job for him/her. One can earn decent income from writing unique content for blogs

Free tips about Blogging August 28, 2012 at 3:00 PM    

This post will surely helps newbies who are in learning process and i am sure they will acquire huge about their content writing. every point is very vital to make your post best from all.

Michael August 31, 2012 at 6:00 PM    

This is very good advice to bloggers old and new,I have been blogging for ages on printer cartridges and the environment so I'm not a newbie but this serves as a reminder what we need to do to keep on track. I couldn't have written it better myself, Thanks for a good post James.....

Hicham September 30, 2012 at 12:50 AM    

I find your tips very useful thank you for sharing your knowledge,to help newbie like me :D

Unknown January 1, 2013 at 1:54 PM    

I'm glad to be here i learn a lot even in a few times.
This is my guide in making own post.
Thank you very much and more power!

Derek August 21, 2013 at 3:47 PM    

These are the things to remember when writing a good blogpost. Thanks!

Emma Taylor August 26, 2014 at 2:57 PM    

Good !!! Thanks

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