Instantly Improve Your Blog

Whether you have been blogging for years or are just getting started, these writing tips can instantly improve your blog.

The blogsphere is packed with marketing bloggers and would be thought-leaders competing for followers and search rankings. Quicker fixes with microblogging and the lures of social media feeds make getting attention even harder. Even if you are lucky enough to get visitors to your site, you will lose them fast with lackluster blog content or poor writing. Blogs features and functions have changed, but the fundamentals of good blog writing have not.

If you are looking to start a new marketing blog, or improve the one you have, here are the blogging tips I have found most helpful.

Quick Blogging Tips

Content

  • Create useful content that’s worthwhile.
  • Don’t just echo the conversation by repeating other bloggers; add to it by contributing your insights or perspective.
  • Stay focused and be relevant.
  • Use attention-getting strong titles.
  • Lead with your best stuff and make the first paragraph engaging.
  • Give credit and link to sources.

Style

  • Write about what you know and like.
  • Be passionate and enthusiastic.
  • Be helpful.
  • Be true to yourself and the brand you represent.

Formatting & Structure

  • Write for the web. (And not like a marketing brochure.) 
  • Make it easy to scan. Break your post into information chunks with subheads, bullets, and spacing.
  • Use the inverted pyramid style of writing.
  • Don’t forget SEO. Include focused, relevant keywords, tags, and metadata.
  • Include short, descriptive, and helpful links to credible sources. (Readers know what Wikipedia is and LinkedIn is.)
  • Go beyond text. Include images, video, and downloads. Don’t forget transcripts, metadata, and tags. (Yes, I know I this is all text, but it is about writing.)

Participation

  • Invite conversation and create opportunities for engagement.
  • Have an opinion and ask for input.
  • Offer something valuable.
  • Ask questions or end with a question.

One Last Blogging Tip…

Be brief and mindful of your audience’s time. Odds are, you are not as interesting as you think you are. Always write with the reader in mind.