5 Blogging Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Creating a Blog Post

5 Blogging Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Creating a Blog Post

Worried that your blog posts aren’t engaging your audience? Are your readers leaving your website because your content doesn’t resonate with them?

Do you want to write blog posts that get more comments, more social shares, and more engagement?

Here are five ways that can help you write an incredible blog post.

1) Know your audience

If you don’t understand your readers, they won’t stay with you, come back, or tell others about your blog

Empathy is the most powerful tool you have as a blogger because it connects you emotionally with your audience. You create that empathy in your readers – it’s the emotional connection that makes them think, ‘She’s getting me.’ She knows what I’m thinking and feeling.”

Just put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Ask questions like:

What are their problems, frustrations and challenges?

What does a typical day look like in your world?

What do they hope to gain from reading your blog?

You can find out these answers by:

  • Send a short survey to your list
  • Read other blogs’ comments
  • Read forum posts in your niche

Then it’s a matter of taking one of your readers’ problems or requests and incorporating it into your blog post.

2) Start with an attention-grabbing headline

You need to grab your audience’s attention by writing a catchy headline. One of my favorite bloggers, Jeff Goinshas a formula for headlines.

Number or trigger word + adjective + keyword + promise

For example, “13 Facts About Blogging That Everyone Believes to Be True.”

Follow the formula and then analyze your headline with CoSchedule great new tool. It shows you the overall quality of your headline and even tells you how it ranks in terms of social shares and SEO value.

3) Write an intro that packs a punch

Want to know the best way to start a blog post that will grab your readers’ attention?

  • Arouse curiosity by asking a question
  • Surprise your audience with an unusual fact
  • Share a story
  • Start with a quote

Glen Long by Jon Morrow Increase blog traffic asks a question (and even curses a little) in this intro, but it definitely draws you in and makes you want to read the post.

Jon_Morrow_for_post

4) Address the reader directly and be personal

When you tell a personal story on your blog, your readers learn about your hopes, dreams, and even disappointments. Stories are conversational and stimulate your readers’ imagination and emotions.

Your blog post should educate, captivate and entertain. Ash Ambirge by The Middle Finger Project is a prime example of infotainment in action. On her website, she clearly states that her blog is not for “humorless bores,” and she prides herself on giving “snarky business tips.”

5) Include a “call to action” at the end

Ending your post will keep your readers coming back for more. You must end your post with a powerful conclusion.

  • Encourage your readers to take action
  • Ask a question to receive comments
  • Link to another post
  • Ask them to share your post
  • Summarize your main points

These CTAs briefly and succinctly remind your reader of what they have read.

Jeni Elliott, at The blog expertis great for conclusions that typically contain an actionable tip And a question to encourage comments.

The_Blog_Maven

So what do you think? What is your most effective technique for getting your readers to devour your blog posts?

Guest post. Sue Anne Dunlevie, owner of Successful Blogging, has been passionate about business since she was 12 and started her own toddler daycare center at her swimming club. Now her unique talent lies in helping bloggers make more money from their blog.

Want Latest Updates in Your Inbox?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top