A blog is a light, palatable and airy write-up. It distinguishes itself from the meatier article only in tone. Blogs come with a bit of a “me-to-you” vibe rather than a “us-to-them” outlook.
I believe there are no rules to write the perfect blog, just a couple of techniques and tricks.
So without further ado, let's dive right in!
Technique 1: Presentation of the Blog
When I scroll through a blog or any webpage for that matter, here's what catches my eye.
I don't know if you're the same.
Ø Exclamation marks!
These always signal something verbally yummy like a joke, an intelligent observation or an aside. And I don't like to miss out! The heart, after all, loves a tasteful joke. So, you can use these to catch the audience’s attention because blogs are meant to be very engaging.
Ø Paragraph sizes
I'm not too fond of paragraphs with even lengths as I'm sure something very boring has been very neatly concealed in them.
Variable-length sections always draw my eyes. Imagine one large-ish chunk between two thinner fragments, and you know the large one has got to have all the meat. So head over there quickly to devour the content!
Ø Italics
I see italics and think that the author needed to say this like this; otherwise, it just wouldn't resonate with the crowd. They’re highly useful for secret asides, CTAs and other nudge-nudges!
Ø Bullet points
· I'm
· not
· wasting
· time
· explaining
· why
· this
· one
· catches
· the
· eye
· and
· makes
· skimming
· through
· large
· chunks
· easy.
Ø Larger Subheads
A substantially large subhead compared to the text catches the eye and makes the write-up flow neatly.
Ø A Summary/Conclusion/ Wrapping up section.
Not everyone likes this section, but I do. I would even go as far as to say that I like an Introduction section clearly defined as it adds a lot of structure to the blog.
Ø Hyperlinks
I've read so many blogs that left me blue in the face, thanks to their hyperlinks. If you think I'd find some resources from the very same blog useful, do put them at the end, after the blog is over. There's no need to hyperlink every two sentences.
As for marketing, yeah, ok, I'll let that slide.
Technique 2: Content is Queen.
Crisp and clear, as my editors like to say.
Perhaps.
But not always.
Not so crisp that you cut yourself on the sentence.
However, don't do banter. I've read plenty of cookery blogs that have tons of banter at the beginning that I don't have the patience for, but it's the style, I suppose. Get to the recipe already!
Now here's a conundrum I'd like to solve.
Everyone says give the user what they've come for.
But if you do that, won't the user leave the site faster, increasing the bounce rate?
So precisely where should we place the coveted Holy Grail of information? Somewhere middle-ish, I guess. Not so far from the start that the reader is fed up with scrolling, but not so close that he doesn't stick around for longer.
Content of a blog, especially one for a business, should be highly informative. Minute observations, and off-beat topics are always welcome.
Technique 3: How to Actually Write a Blog (Method)
· Have Knowledge
Know what you’re talking about. Very few people do. In-depth research on a topic really helps a blog shine, as you’re adding value to the industry. For this reason, I believe, bloggers should be erudite individuals with at least 10 years of experience in EVERYthing. Seldom happens though.
· Research and Build a Structure
Once, the research is out of the way, create a structure. Allocate a rough number of words to each section. You don’t have to stick to that, but it’s a guideline that’ll help.
· Fill in the Blanks
Then start filling out the map you’ve created. Use everyday parlance and explain jargon (you never know how many beginners or first timers are skimming through).
Technique 4: Size Matters
Oh yes, it does, especially for content. When you have an article that answers every conceivable question the user may ask on a topic, you've got the perfect "one-stop" solution to the problem.
Gradually Google will recognise that and elevate you to the first position on SERPs. Aim for more than 3000 words in today’s blogging world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How's a blog different from an article?
An article is drabbish. A blog is sprightly. Both can inform the general public of things, but one chooses to be dour-faced and the other bright.
2. What should a blog talk about?
Anything. It still has the freedom to.
3. Can anyone write a blog?
Can anyone run the 100m sprint race in the Olympics? So no.
Hire a person with a knack for writing. God gave everyone a talent that they could use to survive on this harsh planet, and unfortunately, writers got the short end of the stick.
Welldone. karen
Clearly explained