It’s easy to get caught up in mechanics, the promotion, and the optimization of a business blog. Bloggers can forget that, at its core, blogging is writing, and that writing needs to be the best it can be. In order to build authority, and a readership, remember to add “write well” to your list of blogging to-dos! Here are some blog content basics to keep in mind when creating new posts:
More is not necessarily better.
A blog post should generally be between 500 and 1,000 words. A post of under 500 words lacks substance, while a post of over 1,000 can be cumbersome for readers. Of course, there are always exceptions. If your content can truly hold your readers’ interest for 1,000 words or more, go for it, but be sure to break up the text with subheads, bullets, and other formatting to keep it “scannable” and easy on the eyes. Or, if you write briefer posts, consider posting more often. As a general rule, think value to your readers and you won’t go wrong.
Keep it simple.
Economy of language is always a good idea, and especially so with blog posts. Choose one topic, and stick to it, resisting the urge to include detailed background information, or veer into other topics entirely. Telling a story is great, but make sure it’s relevant to your post. Remember, people are scanning your post, wondering, “What’s in it for me?” If they don’t find an answer fairly quickly, they’ll move on.
Add a tantalizing title.
There are many strategies for creating good blog post titles. One of my favorites is to investigate the covers of women’s magazines at the grocery store. The eye-catching titles work for a reason! Often, they promise to answer a question, solve a problem, or address a concern:
- “Where Have All the Good Teachers Gone?”
- “How to Be a Better Friend in Just 10 Minutes a Day”
- “Why Dieting Never Works”
Think about how you can use these same formats to fit your content. And, remember, a great title will capture the interest of readers. Be sure to maintain that interest with valuable content in your post.
Think themes.
Remember that your whole blog can be considered a document that loyal readers will explore. Each post provides an opportunity to cover another aspect of one of your overarching themes.
Be a resource.
Add links to your other valuable posts, and to those of other bloggers. When you are seen as a resource, readers will come back for more.
What are some of the most important blog content basics in your opinion? Let us know in the comments!
About the Author: Karen Marcus, M.A. is a Northern Colorado copywriter who has been helping clients in a wide range of industries to put their best word forward for 13 years.
Need help creating great blog content? Karen can help! Click here for contact info.
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