How to write a blog post? I never even thought to ask that question when I started blogging! What’s there to know? You just write. We all learned those skills in school.
I was so wrong! There is so much more to writing a blog post. But, don’t worry! I’ll show you what you need here!
When writing a blog post there are a lot of components to think about. At first it may seem overwhelming, but it will become second nature once you write a few.
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- Before you get writing, if you haven’t already, install the plugin YoastSEO! There are so many reasons I love YoastSEO but let’s start with it’s primary function.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In short, making Google happy and making your post more popular! So SEO is all about keywords and frequency.
When I say keywords though, I actually mean key phrases. For example, the title of this post is How to Write a Blog Post. So, at the bottom of your post there’s an awesome Yoast box that asks you for your keyword. I type in there, “How to Write a Blog Post.”
After that, Yoast will monitor how many times you have your key phrase in your post and tell you if you’re doing well or need to find more ways to naturally incorporate it.
As you can see I had to use my key phrase multiple times to describe this process, so I’m doing great so far!
I always use my title as my key phrase so you want it to be something that people are going to search for. Before you write your post, go into Google and try typing in what people will search for to find your post.
Those suggestions that Google gives you is what you want your title to be. Save the cute, bold titles for the text on your Pinterest images.
- What you want to do now is throw out everything you ever learned about paragraph structure! Seriously, I’m not kidding! The 4-6 sentence paragraph, get rid of it!
When you are accepted into an ad program they will want your posts to be long. Long posts equal more time on your site. More time on your site equals more ad views and more money for you!
So, if you go back and look through this post you will see that each paragraph is actually only 1-3 sentences long.
- Another way of making your posts longer is to add quality images throughout your post.
I used to think that adding them in like a magazine or newspaper article was the way to go. No. Don’t do it. Save that for when you write an eBook! Just add them in the center, like I have throughout this post.
When I say quality, I’m also speaking from experience. I used to just upload my images from my phone or camera and slap them in.
No again! Use the website Canva to optimize them. It will help in their appearance as well as save load time once the image is inserted into your post.
Make sure that one of your images is a long Pin image to encourage readers to Pin your post to their Pinterest account. And, make sure that above it, you tell them to Pin it! (This is a “call to action” nice for “tell them what to do!”)
Here’s a great tutorial on creating images with Canva and where to add them in your posts!
- Your post should be an average of 300-800 words. WordPress will let you know how you’re doing.
- Link back to other posts.
Linking back to other posts will keep your readers on your site longer. Again making your ad company happy and your earnings greater.
It also helps with that tricky SEO.
If you don’t have relevant content now, think of ideas for posts that will relate to the one you’re writing and make sure to add them into that post later.
- Add Categories and Tags (found in the tools on the right). These will help people move through your site if they are looking for more content on a certain topic.
- Edit your images to have “Alternative Text.”
For your long Pinterest image you will want to write in the description you want to show up on Pinterest.
For the other images, write out a description of the image.
- At the end of your post, invite readers to comment below.
This, again will make Google happy! If people are commenting, it means they’re reading. This makes your post more popular to the Google Gods.
Ask them a question regarding the post to encourage more comments.
- Check in with Yoast at the bottom again, to see if they have anymore suggestions to make your post more SEO friendly.
So there’s a lot more in how to write a blog post than you would think! I promise it becomes second nature after you do it a few times! But for now I’ve included a checklist to keep you on track until then! Just subscribe for more bloggy tips and I’ll send it right to your email!
Haven’t started your blog yet? Read my post What To Do Before You Start A Blog!
Incredibly helpful!Thank you!! Looks like I have some retroactive blogging to do LOL
Isn’t that the worst! I had to do it with so many posts on A Chick And Her Garden but it was so worth it afterwards! I’m so glad my tips could be of help!
Thank you for stating a good word count. My posts are with in that range but many people say they should be over 1000 to make Google happy. I think getting on the long side for people wanting to read the whole thing. What is your opinion?
Agreed! Though some of my posts are over 1,ooo words, that can be too long for people to stay engaged in the post. Let alone want to continue hopping around your site.
Thanks to you I am feeling a little more comfortable in starting my blogging adventure. Fear can be paralyzing and that is my problem, but the information you provided has made me feel a little at ease.
I’m so glad it helped you to take some of the nerves off getting started! It all gets better with practice! If you’re looking for more help, join us over in my blogging group https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggingoverbreakfast/
Thanks for the great info! I am starting a blog and have been reading tons of information. Yours has been very helpful and easy to follow!
xx- Steph
I’m so glad to hear it Steph! Join us over at our Facebook group of bloggers Blogging Over Breakfast: Strategies to Help Skyrocket Your Blog! and we’ll be there to help!
Really good tips. I hadn’t connected the dots with the alt text and Pinterest image…going back to do some work! Thanks.
I remember doing that! It’s an oh great moment but totally worth it!
Thanks for the concise information. Im seeking to start a fashion blog for my online store. This overview was helpful.
I’m so glad I could help and I hope everything goes great! Keep checking back for more bloggy tips! A great way to be updated right away is to follow me on Pinterest and Facebook!
I literally downloaded the Yoast SEO plugin last night on my blog after a recommendation from a fellow blogger and yes, it helped me tremendously. Thanks for clarifying that the key word could be a key phrase. I was confused by that!
Yoast is such a life saver! I was confused by the key phrase for a while too and since I made the switch my direct traffic has been so much better!
Thank you so much for this article I have been blogging a while now but I want to take it to the next level and this gave me so many good ideas
I’m thinking about starting a blog about mental health issues which would entail quite a bit. I’m a psychotherapist.
Once you get the different tools such as Yoast SEO and others, are there clear instructions on how to use them? My fear is that I won’t be able to figure out how to use the tools once I get them.
Also, what is the general cost for the tools? On average what is the start up cost for blogging?
Karen that would be such a wonderful blog and so helpful to others! I so far have a couple of posts, including this one on how to use Yoast SEO and plan on adding more in the future. It is a very user friendly plugin. I use the free version of this plugin but they do have an upgarde as well. As far as the initial costs for a start up blog, when you start with SiteGround (which I absolutely love and you can find a llink for in my Recommendations page) it costs about $80 for the year, this will go up just a bit as your site grows and you need a bigger plan from your host. When you’re ready to add in schedulers and things like that, I pay about $60 a month total currently and that is with two blogs.
Great post and I am loving all of your pink. 😉 It’s my fav.
Keep the tips coming. Together we all get better. #yay
Hey,
first I have to thank you for this great post and your lovely writing style. Second I have a question. You’ve heard it probably a lot, but I was wondering why not many people are reading my blog. I am sharing it on facebook in multiple groups. But I guess I post to little. Can you tell me how often you post and how you startet to get a readership?
Best Regards,
Sebastian
Hi Sebastian! Thank you so much! It takes some time to build a following but that doesn’t mean you can’t still draw traffic! I offer a course on using Facebook at this link https://www.achickandhergarden.com/product/using-facebook-to-grow-your-blog/ and most of my traffic comes from Pinterest. The goal is to increase direct traffic so keep working on your SEO. But in the meantime use Pinterest and the strategies from my Facebook course (which tripled my traffic in 3 days!) Let me know if I can help in any other ways!
Happy Blogging!
Staci
Hi Staci finally someone writes a post that is easy to follow and is very helpful! I am a new blogger and I tend to chase after all the shiny objects of the blogging world! I get overwhelmed and frustrated to. Also I see a lot of bloggers not responding to comments and or emails if you need help. I just wanted to thank you for your help and support, & hard work!☺
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Stacy’s Lifestyle Blog