How to write blogs is easier than you think

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How to write blogs isn’t as hard as you might think. The hard part is keeping it simple and uncomplicated. Web readers’ scan and they want their information served to them on a clean plate with no distractions or choices. So, ‘how to write blogs’ starts with you, the writer. Know two things – your readers and your topic.

How to write blogs for your readers

  • Know who your readers are, their age group, what they want to know and maybe, why they want to know it.

This background information will allow you to give them exactly what they want, in the voice and tone they want and the depth they are looking for. In other words, target your audience and speak to them as if they are standing right in front of you. Use language and jargon they will understand and become engaged with – after all, you want them to regard you as the authority in your industry.

How to write blogs with your topic

  • Identify a topic that will be of genuine interest to your reader. Your readers may want to know the basics of your chosen topic or they may be searching for an understanding of a complication within your topic. This is why it is important to target your reader and write to them.
  • Brainstorm your topic and identify just one or two concepts within your topic that you can write about in your blog.
  • When writing your blog, you don’t always need to start at the beginning or opening paragraph. Sometimes if you have writer’s block, write about what is comfortable to you and put it in dot points for easy understanding – remember just one or two concepts.
  • Organise this content so it takes your reader on a journey and they can take your information and apply it to their situation. Remember: uncomplicated, simple and concise content delivers a clear message on your topic.
  • Then go back to your beginning and write an introduction. You need to capture your readers’ attention so perhaps avoid any attempt at bad comedy or poor taste. Tell your reader in two sentences what you are blogging about and why they should read to the end.
  • Now go to the end and bring your topic together in a neat bundle of information that confirms and consolidates the information you are sharing.
  • Nearly forgot, the title. Yes, those things that will capture your readers attention and make them commence reading your blog. Some simple (but safe) titles are ‘How to…’ ,  ‘3 things you need to know about…’, ‘A simple survey to check your …’.   People love to be engaged, so indulge them.
  • Sorry, one more thing. Formatting. Consistency and simplicity again is the key. One typeface, lots of white space and no blocks of bold or italic

 So now you know how to write blogs

how to write blogs

How to write blogs

So, now you know how to write blogs, have a go. It won’t do itself. Start simple and enjoy – enjoyment is contagious. Otherwise, give The Writing Shed a ring or contact via email. M: 0407487495 E: info@thewritingshed.com.au Catch us on Twitter https://twitter.com/writingshedaus

Bad blog converts to great blog

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A bad blog is boring – let’s face it. A bad blog post loses readers within seconds. A great catchy title will motivate readers to click on that post, but if you don’t deliver – they will be annoyed. A bad blog may equate to a bad business in your

A bad blog feels like this to a reader

A bad blog probably feels like this to a reader – prickly

reader’s eyes, after all it is about offering quality products and customer satisfaction.

Bad blog and great blog

Here are some ways to get a bad blog and then my tips on making a great blog.

1. Visual appeal is zero. Blocks of tight text with small font or even worse a decorative fussy typeface that belongs on a Christmas card are a great start to turning your reader off. Recently I had almost decided to contact a graphic designer to do some work for me. Luckily their newsletter arrived in my Inbox and I quickly changed my mind when the bold no-paragraph content caused my eyes to squint and water. Why waste room on white space I could hear them saying.

  • Well actually, I like calming white space on my documents, it allows my mind to dwell on the well-written content and beautifully presented words.

2. No logic to the content.  A bad blog reads like a three year old telling a story. It will jump around, turn back on itself, repeat information, include irrelevant information and end no-where – which is why a

three year old may then throw a tantrum because they haven’t communicated their need. But of course, you are a business and you can’t throw a tantrum at your potential customers.

  • Organise your content and thoughts by simple brainstorming. Write your outline with enough detail that your written blog will be cohesive and logical and take your reader from your clever title through relevant information and to a conclusion. There. Bet you are feeling better already.

3. Absolutely pointless. Ever persevere with a blog because you desperately want the information that the title suggested could be in this bad blog? A bad blog never gives readers a clear take-away – after all, your knowledge is golden and that is what makes you the expert in the field. If you educated everyone in your subject matter, what sort of business would you have.

  • Educating customers through blogs actually will create more loyal long-term customers that will look to you as the leading expert in the field. Sometimes you need to give before you receive.
  • Know what it is you want your readers to know when they finish reading your blog. See if you can group these points together and give them a heading. With two to four of these group points depending on the length of your blog, you will have your paragraphs.
  • Ensure each paragraph logically follows its preceding paragraph so your information builds and flows. An easy way to do this is to end each paragraph with the first words of the next paragraph.
  • Finish off where you started – recap your title information and opening information so your reader knows you have taken them on a journey and fulfilled your promise.

4.  Don’t edit your bad blog. Why should you edit when we all know that every word that we write is gospel? Editing takes time and people will sort it out themselves. Wrong. People will judge your business and your products by your attention to detail and care you take with your blog – right or wrong, that is how it will be. A bad blog will say much more than you want it to say, so take time.

  • Put your blog away for as long as possible – overnight is good.
  • Print it out and read it aloud – quickly.
  • Take a red pen and instinctively cross out anything that doesn’t make sense, isn’t true, not logical or uses too many words to get to the point.
  • Get a ruler and go through each word looking for poor grammar, spelling errors or incorrect punctuation.
  • Go back to your blog and make your corrections. If it was too bad, throw it out and write it all again. Many great writers do this automatically – and guess what, the second write is always better than the first.

5. Obviously no final check done. You have already spent more time than you have on this bad blog so no need to do a final check for formatting, visual appearance, links working and obvious issues.  Wrong again.

  • Always check and then check again that your formatting hasn’t moved, there is plenty of white space to allow your reader to see your messages clearly.
  • Read your blog again to ensure your words are consistent throughout, your argument is logical and you actually deliver what you set out to achieve.
  • Check your hyperlinks, images and anything else you inserted in your blog.

Bad blog no more

Finally, maybe your bad blog post is no more. Maybe your blog is now worthy of its readers. It may even convince your readers enough to make them pick up the phone or email you (if you have left those details on every page)

One last word – don’t forget to get your great blog out there on social media. No point having a great blog if no-one reads it.

Keep an eye on my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thewritingshed.  Hopefully not  a bad blog in sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email Research – overkill or an essential communication strategy

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Email research says proofread your emails

The Email Research-scary statistics

The majority of email senders and email receivers believe that their email information is interpreted correctly.  In fact, only half of emails received are interpreted correctly and half of email recipients have a lot of  trouble interpreting emotion in emails[i].

There is a suggestion that this overconfidence in emails links to a difficulty  detaching oneself from your own environment. This theory is supported by the rapid emergence of social media where the communication is fast, “off the cuff” and not always thoughtful. Furthermore, three quarters of email is opened within 6 seconds of its arrival in the Inbox and there is a significant  recovery time for the worker to return to their previous task because the email task is prioritised over the planned task[ii] [Read more…]

How to write that killer Blog

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Writing that killer blog is all about connecting it with your Branding.  Connecting your Blog and your Business Marketing strategies just takes a little time and planning. The great news is that when it is set up on your website or on your dedicated Blog site, it is all free.

Take a little time and care to plan your blog and remember, it is all about the content.

Basic Blog Principles

Understand your business marketing strategies, products and branding. Know what it is that you are selling and what is your point of difference between you and your competitor.

Understand your  customers, potential customers and those you would like to be your customers. Attach an emotion to their buying power and know why they are buying your products. It may be the brightly coloured packaging, it may be the great sales and service – but it is more likely the difference it will make to their lives.  A customer of a home cleaning service may be using the service because she enjoys the freedom it gives her to do what she wants in her day.

Understanding your audience is key. Know their wants and their demographics, but target their emotions. Use this to your advantage in your blog and do case scenarios, story-lines  or make your facts interesting and conversational. Engage your readers and relate to their lives.

Make a mud map of your blogging plans for the next six months. Include special occasions, events, seasons and anything else that is relevant. Don’t lose sight of your reader’s mindfulness. After all, it is all about your readers and the content of your blog.

Killer headlines are what will make you or break you. People read headlines first and then decide if they will go on and read the rest. Relate your headlines to your clients needs and make it look easy. A ‘How to..’ headline works every time.

Plan the structure of the content of each blog. All writing starts with an introductory opening, a great story and a conclusion. Pictures are great but make them personal. Above no, write simply with short sentences and paragraphs. People are reading on line remember, so keep it simple. Avoid jargon and spelling mistakes. In today’s business world, they are not acceptable.

Follow buttons on your Blog

Have a follow me button on your blog so every time you blog, people are notified and they click back on your website – increasing your website traffic.

Make the effort and connect your blog and your branding, and take the time to make good sense of it all. It will be worth it.