In an online world already saturated with articles on every subject imaginable, it’s important to know how to make your posts stand out above the rest. They say “content is king” but even with good content, there is a need to not only capture the reader’s attention but keep it as well. Here are four tips for writing better blog posts that will do just that:
Ideation
No matter what you’re writing, it starts with an idea. When it comes to creating content ideas for your own posts or for a client, some great ways to come up with those ideas include:
- Brainstorm – write down every idea that comes to your mind.
- Carry a notebook – write down ideas as you go about your day.
- Swipe file – Put a copy of interesting content in your file as you come across it.
Lists
Some people might think about David Letterman when they hear or see a top ten list. The fact is, lists are a great way to put content into posts. Lists are fun and you can use your creative skills to put together a list of anything from your favorite vacation spots to the grossest foods you’ve ever eaten.
The list can have as few as three points to as many as 25 – however many you think necessary. Other ideas for list posts include “Five Strategies to Optimize Your Nap Time,” or “Three Ways to Flush Money Down the Toilet.” When you decide to start writing list posts, you’ll find the list of ideas is endless.
Trending Topics
To find out if something is trending, simply check your Facebook page, Reddit homepage, or look on Twitter. If it’s seasonal, trending, or newsworthy, chances are people will read it.
There is one trick you’ll want to keep in mind when writing about trending topics, and that’s keeping the content evergreen. This means you’ll want your post to stay relevant next month even though the topic is no longer trending.
To do this, take information from the current event and make it relevant for years to come. For instance, if it is an Olympic season you can write a post about Olympic cities to visit for a great family vacation.
Photos
You’ve heard the saying a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, you don’t want a picture to replace your words, but you do want to grab the reader’s attention with it. Besides being attention grabbers, photos are also a great way to break up the text.
If you are finding your post is text-heavy, lighten the load by adding a couple of eye-catching photos that enhance your message. Make sure you are not infringing on copyright with the photos you use. The best way to obtain photos is to take your own or find them on a creative commons website.
By using the ideas above to come up with great content, writing posts using lists and trending topics, and using a photo to grab the reader’s attention, you’re well on your way to creating better posts.
Do you blog? Share with us your tips for writing blog posts that could leave a mark in the comments below!
