Everyone reads blogs – whether they are for information, opinions, reviews – and it seems as though practically everyone seems to be writing blogs too! Blog writing is recognized as one of the most popular interests in today’s times. It is a way to make one heard, to creatively put out content onto the infinite world of the internet, to market oneself and share ideas.
The best part is that there is no prerequisite qualification or provision for writing a blog. Anyone can do it!
But when anyone can do it and everyone seems to be doing it already – how can YOU stand out from the crowd? What will make your blog attract viewers and start a conversation? It’s not as easy as you think. You need to write unique, engaging content, make your blog look attractive with original photos and engage your audience through enough avenues to keep them coming back.
Here’s how you can get started.
Identify and assess what sets you apart
Defining yourself and finding a unique idea is not as easy as generating leads through what’s already popular and trending. While it seems easy to follow an ongoing trend and write pieces inspired by existing content, the end result will never come across as particularly unique or attractive.
Asking yourself the right questions will help you assess how you can be unique, whilst still being true to yourself.
• What are your strengths?
• What will be your preferred writing style?
• Are there particular topics, fields, interests you would like to explore?
• What kind of audience should I be targeting?
Get Personal
Your beliefs, your opinions and your views matter. If your goal is to find and connect with like-minded people, then this is the way to go. Personal experience adds much more value to a blog than information garnered from an internet search. This could also be a good way to put your own spin on topics and subjects that are gaining attention on social media.
Brainstorm the Right Way
Good blog content doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it can take days or weeks to come up with a blog topic that is interesting and engaging. You need to conduct thorough research, endless reading, and most importantly, interact with other people. Keep an open mind to ideas that come to you. Keep a journal or a notepad to jot these ideas down so that whenever you are in a fix – you have something to refer to!
Research, research, research
Thought of a great subject to write on? Good. That’s the easy part. Now you have to do the legwork to ensure that you truly know the subject that you are writing about. Half-hearted research can lead to subpar blog content that not only fails to engage new audiences but can also invite criticism from those who do read your work. After all, the basic information is always readily available online. So without digging deeper and exploring the core of your chosen subject, your blog will not reach its highest potential.
Write an Outline for your Blog
Before you start writing, create a rough flow for your blog. This will help you spot any potential flaws, or areas to improve upon as you go ahead. A typical blog outline looks like this:
• Your topic for the blog
• The heading for your blog
• Introduction – a short paragraph introducing the topic
• The main content of the blog
• A call to action, initiating a discussion
• The conclusion
The purpose of the outline is to help you stay honest and true to your subject, and help you stay focussed on the final structure of your write-up.
Use Images Effectively
While there are aficionados of the written word waiting to be enticed, the general audience does not have the time or the patience to focus on lines and lines of written content without any breaks.
Images can help your blog post flow effectively, and to cater to those who simply scan through the images before moving on to the next click. Images can also be used to inject some humour and creativity into your post, helping you make a complicated subject easier to understand.
Networking can make you a better blogger
This may sound unbelievable – especially to those who like to keep their pre-published writing close to their hearts. Networking isn’t simply a tool to increase your blog’s reach and audience. Networking can also give you contacts that can help you improve your writing style and also proofread your work.
By talking to other writers and influences, both established and inexperienced bloggers, you can get bigger and better opportunities to expand your own knowledge and writing style. Familiarise yourself with all the industry tricks and tips, what other writers are doing to make themselves known, and what they are doing differently to connect with their audience.
Most importantly, you must connect and interact with your readers. Ask for their input, mention them in your write-up if their feedback helps you in any way, or give them a shout out for sharing your blog or post. This gives your readers a direct and personal connection to you and your writing, and you will see a steady increase in having your content shared through social media.
In conclusion, blogging isn’t as easy as it seems in the beginning. The internet’s reputed bloggers and influential online personalities are renowned for a reason – they have mastered the skills required to be a good blogger. With research, brainstorming, writing and networking, it will be easier to write a good blog.
Are there any trips or tricks that we’ve missed out on? Leave your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!
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