How to write a banging blog post
You’ve overcome your blogging blocks and you’ve got a list of great content ideas to get you started on your blogging journey. (Or at least you should have if you’ve been keeping up to date with my previous posts.) Now, are you ready to write your first blog post? The truth is, no matter how well you may have prepared yourself, the act of sitting down and writing isn’t always easy. Writer’s block, procrastination and fear of failure can all become deadly enemies. With this in mind, here’s a simple process to follow for writing those first few blog posts. After a while, it should become second nature. 1. Beat the blank page Getting started is the hardest thing. So resist the temptation to start at the very beginning – it’s not always a very good place to start despite what Maria might tell you. Instead, write down everything you know about the topic in question. Set a timer for 8 minutes and let your ideas flow onto the page. Resist the temptation to edit – that can come later. So can your introduction and your title. This is where it’s really important to have chosen something you actually want to write about. When I’ve chosen a topic I feel I know inside out and am desperate to share, the words just tumble out of me. The trick is to find something that both you and your readers are interested in. (I could have fun writing about my favourite types of cheese, but would visitors to this blog find that helpful? I doubt it.) 2. Choose a format Now you’ve decided on your topic, you need to choose a format. If you’re new to blogging, listicles can be a great place to start. While some may argue that listicles have become a hackneyed cliche, there is a a good deal of evidence to suggest that this simple, easily digestible format is still as popular as ever. And there’s no denying that certain types of content simply lend themselves to listicles. Say, for instance, I want to write a blog post about the top ten family-friendly attractions in London. Why on earth wouldn’t I choose the listicle format? There are plenty other formats which you can and should experiment with though. For example: I’ve shared these formats as I think they’re the most straightforward to write, but the possibilities are endless! Check out this article for more help with choosing the right format for your next blog post. 3. Build the body Now we’re onto the meat of your post. There’s a lot to say here (probably a whole post’s worth), but in the interests of brevity I will give you just 5 things to think about. 4. Write your heading Coming up with an engaging heading is not an easy task, but choosing the right one will pay dividends. Your heading is not just a way to entice readers to keep reading: it’s also a way to get eyes on your post (if you’re strategic with keywords). Please note: this blog post’s title is not a good example of an SEO-friendly one. My original title was ‘How to write a tourism blog post’ which might have been better for SEO but just sounded dull beyond belief. SEO is hugely important, but sometimes you have to go with what feels good! (I’ll be going into SEO in much more detail in my next post.) Finally, and this should go without saying, make sure your title accurately reflects the content of your post. So don’t write a blog post with the title ‘Taylor Swift’s Top Tips for a fun time in Tenerife’ if your post doesn’t mention Tenerife. Because if you do that, you’ve just produced a piece of click-bait. And that’s naughty. 5. Have a clear CTA Why are you blogging? Is it just for fun? Nope, thought not. While blogging can be a lot of fun, I’m guessing there are other things you might want to be doing with your time. You’re blogging to get people booking your tours. You’re blogging to build know, like, trust. You’re blogging to increase your visibility. So make sure the CTA at the end of your blog posts rewards your effort in writing it. And you can do that by including a clear call to action. Not 3 or 4 – remember, confused minds don’t buy. Just write one thing you want your readers to do. For an example, see the end of this post. 6. Go ahead and click publish! A mentor of mine has a saying which I love so much that I’ve adopted it as my own: ‘Better done than perfect’. Your post will never be perfect. Maybe the ideal heading will elude you (I’m not convinced about the heading for this post!). Or perhaps you could source some better photos. And you should definitely proofread it a few days later. Isn’t that what the writing gurus say? The thing is, the longer you procrastinate, the less likely you are to publish the darn thing. And then no one will ever read what you have to say. Wouldn’t that be a shame? Remember, the beauty of blogging is you can always go back and make changes later on. So be bold! What have you got to lose? Click that button with confidence! Done it? Congratulations – you’ve embarked on your blogging journey. It’s going to be a thrilling ride! (Psst: here’s my CTA!) If you’re still bewildered by blogging (and I know there’s a lot to take in) book a Copy Boost session with me. This hour will be laser-focused on your specific needs, giving you the confidence and know-how you need to write a truly banging blog post. Interested? DM me on LinkedIn or email me at genevieve@campioncopy.com
