How to Write a Killer Blog Post for MASSIVE Conversions
Creative Entrepreneurs - Follow These Proven Steps to Create Killer Writing
So, you’re thinking of blogging.
You have the blog feature all set up on your website. Everything is ready. That is until you sit down to write.
Where do you even start? How do you know if your posts capture your target audience’s attention?
You’re in the right place! After reading this, you’ll be ready to slay that blog post dragon with these killer writing techniques.
Anatomy of a blog post
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work that goes into writing. Where do you even begin? I know I got sucked into that abyss when I started.
The method that helped pull me up by my bootstraps?
Organization.
If you’re anything like me, you get distracted if things aren’t orderly.
I needed to develop a methodical way to write.
I found a three-day writing approach to help me crank out a blog post per week. By breaking my process up into three days, I didn’t crash and burn.
My writing improved and I actually began to enjoy writing again.
Ready to do this? Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dig in.
Day 1: Research & Outline
It doesn’t matter if you’re writing about your personal near-death experience with a heart attack or an informational post on the medicinal benefits of cannabis. You MUST research.
Begin by googling phrases related to your topic. Find articles with factual and relevant information. Remember to only use credible sources, not places like Wikipedia.
As you gather material, jot down a rough outline. Arrange your topics into categories. Under the categories, list the information you want to mention, adding source links where needed.
This outline doesn’t need to look like the ones you agonized over in school. I use a simplified (and rather lazy) approach to writing mine.
Something like this:
See how easy that is?
P.S. I love Google Docs. Write and format your blog posts, then copy and paste into your blog. Easy.
Day 2: Rough Draft
You’ve gathered all your information and are raring to go.
Sit down and write.
Yeah, you read that correctly. Just write. Don’t worry about spelling or bad grammar.
That’s the whole purpose of a rough draft –– getting your thoughts down on paper. Remember, it’s supposed to be rough.
I struggle with perfectionism so writing a literal rough draft is hard for me.
But you know what? It’s crazy liberating when you set your mind to simply write, nothing more.
Get those thoughts written down as they come. The best articles often come from letting your ideas flow.
Allow your brain the flexibility to produce thoughts and ideas rapid-fire. Don’t sweat it.
Sleep on it –– watch a movie and go to bed.
If you need extra motivation try using: https://www.squibler.io/dangerous-writing-prompt-app
This sneaky writing app will DELETE your work if you stop for 5 seconds. It’s a great exercise if you are trying to get rid of writers block. Let your ideas flow!
Day 3: Editing
Day three is my favorite! I love the thrill of opening my rough draft and going through it with fresh eyes.
Sometimes, the parts I thought turned out awful, sound impressive while other places I thought were awesome, well, they suck.
This is why it’s good to sleep on it after completing your rough draft. Your mind is clearer and you come with a fresh perspective.
Never publish the same day you write.
In addition to editing, you also get to spruce up your post by adding pictures and graphics. Try to keep your pictures relevant to your topic. If they don’t add to your post, chop them out. Before you hit Publish, keep reading for even more hacks to help you write like a BOSS.
Why are blogs vital to your business growth? Read my blog post here to find out.
Pep-up your writing
Before I studied the art of writing, I always had trouble getting my articles just right. My words didn’t have the oomph I noticed in other authors’ work. Does this sound familiar? Are you struggling to express yourself through your writing? I feel your frustration.
These tips changed my life –– even changed the way I think.
And best of all? I’ve discovered myself through my writing. My thoughts and feelings flow through my fingertips like coffee out of my coffee maker.
Ready to take your writing by the proverbial horns? Let’s do this!
Write like you talk
Yep. You need to write like you talk. Our speaking grammar is horrible, but it’s what readers hear in their everyday lives. Be real. Be you.
Conjunctions
Before I learned the art of stellar writing, I used boring proper English, almost to a fault. My work was as dry as the Sahara Desert.
It’s totally cool to begin sentences with and and but. We speak this way on a regular basis.
Use this point with caution. You don’t want to go overboard and sound fragmented. But, you do want to sound human and conversational.
Write in the second person
Your audience likes to feel as if you know them. This is why you write in the second person –– Use you, your, and yours in place of impersonal words like them, they, and it.
Use Active Voice
Keep your blog post confident and upbeat when you write in active voice.
Compare these sentences,
“Confidence in writing can be the key to a good blog post.”
vs.
“The key to a good blog post –– confident writing.”
See the difference? Be direct.
Avoid excessive exclamation points
Exclamation points are useful when used correctly. Your writing can look shoddy and overdone when a lot of exclamation points are added. Oh, and don’t pile a bunch at the end of a sentence!!!!! It looks like you’re yelling!!!!!
Use contractions
This point helped free me from my original “stuffy” writing style. Say you’re instead of you are, it’s instead of it is, you’ve instead of you have. You get the picture. Write like you speak in everyday life.
Write with C.L.A.S.S.
Confirm beliefs – Tell them something they agree with. This helps you introduce new ideas because they know you agree with them.
Legitimize their feelings – Use empathy to show them you’re on their team. Side with them or make a complete U-turn by showing them their faulty perceptions. It’s easier, then, to slide into Advantage.
The Advantage –What’s in this for them? What problems are you solving? How can you present it to their advantage? Show them how your offer is going to solve their problems and make life better. Be their guide.
Share values – Remind your reader you have similar beliefs. You understand them. Research your audience to find out what they feel is important.
Slam bad guys – Show your readers you understand their pain points. You share similar adversaries like obstacles, limitations, struggles. End your writing with it’s us versus them.
Words to Avoid
You know the article you read the other day? The one you were like, “Wow. She’s a good writer!”
The author knew the art of precision and avoided filler words.
Cut these words out whenever possible. A sentence often, but not always, makes sense without them.
Just – “Your blog post just doesn’t cut it.” versus “Your blog post doesn’t cut it.”
That – “I love that you write concisely.” versus “I love your concise writing”
Will – “Blog posts will boost your SEO.” versus “Blog posts boost your SEO.”
Thus – Yeah, don’t use this word. Total old school Shakespearean.
In order to – Replace with “to”
Break up your writing
According to Microsoft, the average human has an attention span of eight seconds.
That’s right. You have eight seconds to grab your readers’ attention.
No one likes to read a solid wall of text. Break up your writing into shorter sentences and paragraphs to ensure reader-interest.
Add bold and italicized print to key words or phrases to catch the skim reader’s eye.
Create scannable and attention-grabbing blog posts with:
Bulleted lists
Numbered lists
Short paragraphs –– no more than 2-4 sentences
Adjectives
Keep these three points in mind when using adjectives,
Interesting, great, excellent, and quite are all overused.
Be specific –– make the story come alive in your reader’s mind.
Use descriptive words like gooey, gritty, glamorous, and cantankerous.
Avoid Adverbs
Oh, yes. I love adverbs. But it’s best to avoid them whenever possible. They’re often overused and clog up your writing with unnecessary fluff. Only use them to liven up your writing.
Listen to this, “Beth ran quickly across the parking lot.” Now try “Beth raced across the parking lot.” Sounds better, doesn’t it?
Power verbs
Power verbs give your writing a positive and confident feeling. “I made my website.” versus “I designed my website.”
Again, precision is key.
Present Tense versus Past Tense
Don’t write in the past. There’s no time like the present.
“Blog posts are best written in a conversational tone.” versus “Write blog posts in a conversational tone.”
Attention-grabbing headlines
Remember our short attention span? Forgot already?
You have eight seconds to grab your readers’ attention. And the title of your article is the key factor to pulling them in.
Think of these two titles – which one would entice you into clicking to read more?
Blog Post Hacks You Should Know
vs.
The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Powerful Blog Posts
Hint: (Try CoSchedule, the best headline analyzer out there.)
Write with emotion
Nobody enjoys emotional outbursts, but a writer needs to know how to evoke emotion in readers.
You want your audience to feel with you. You need them to connect with you on an emotional level.
This leads me to my last point.
Have a clear CTA
A writer’s war cry – the Call to Action (CTA). When you evoke emotion, you need to follow through and inspire action.
Now’s the time to guide your reader toward your end-goal –– buying your product, booking a vacation, signing up for your weekly art studio’s newsletter.
Conclusion
In this article, I’ve provided a toolbox packed with writing hacks just for you.
Implement these tips and you’ll hold a powerful tool –– the art of persuasion through words.
Use your newfound power to add value to your readers’ lives. Don’t abuse it by sucking them in through clickbait and false advertising.
Your writing is about them, not you.
You’ve got this. Get out there and write.