A lot of blog-writing tips posts are flooding the business landscape. Many of them are saying a lot of the same things, but some have come up with different pieces of advice. I wrote an internal piece a couple of months ago on this topic. I have refined this, and decided to put a new spin on it.
I grew up with the Douglas Adams Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Five Parts. It helped shape me (or as some have suggested, “warped” me) into the writer that I am today. In recognition of the ninth anniversary of his death, I have broken down these blog tips for “The Blogger’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Four Parts.”
This first installment details the outline and a structure of a proper blog post.
Blog posts should be 200-500 words
According to Nielson, the average person spends an average of 56 seconds on a webpage. People just don’t have the time to devote to long, drawn-out stories. Get to the point quickly, then get out.
Short paragraphs, short lists
Have you ever read an e-mail with a long paragraph? Neither have I. I just glance it over, then delete it. While on the Internet, most people have the attention span of a cocker spaniel on a double espresso. Break things down into bite-sized paragraphs and, if it’s applicable, bullet points.
Come up with a schedule
Have an editorial schedule. Figure out how many times a week you want to publish and on what days. A Google search can tell you when your target audience checks the web. Post around that time. Be consistent.
Break long articles into multiple posts
This is advantageous for several reasons. Readers can digest the material easily and retain its message. They would also be more likely to re-Tweet it or post it on their Facebook page (a concept we’ll explore in the third installment). It will also fill your editorial calendar and your readers will find a reason to come back.
Write follow ups and sequels
Revisit popular posts. The person who does this the best is ESPN Page 2’s Bill Simmons. He has created scores of new columns based off of some of his previous writings, such as his “Levels of Losing” list that tends to find new life every few years or so.
Hire a ringer
You may not have the time to write two or three blog posts a week. You could hire a professional to pick up the slack for you (someone like me, as I am a blog ghost writer. E-mail me at srumsey@publicity.com, and I’ll tell you all about it).
