How to Blog

Blog StructureTitle*IntroductionPictureBodyConclusion

*On average, 8 out of 10 people will read a title, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest. This is the secret to the power of your title, and why it so important to your blog post.

Common Blog Post TypesHow-ToPersonal ExperienceOpinion ReviewProblem SolvingList

How-To Posts

How-To Posts1. Brainstorm the steps from start to finish

2. Introduce your topic

3. Instruct by filling in the steps Be descriptive, specific, and detailed Include examples

4. Consider visuals

5. Conclude

Personal Experience Posts

Personal Experience Posts1. Use a hook - A “hook” is your opener. It’s the

attention-getter, the question or quote that immediately hooks your listener or reader. The more off-the-wall or mysterious, the better.

2. Tell the story - A story has natural momentum to it. If you simply state what happened in chronological order (many people actually neglect doing this), you will captivate your audience.

Personal Experience3. Reflect - Many people seem to tell stories just to tell them. But when

you start asking whypeople share (and listen to) stories, often there is an objective. A reason. It may be to encourage or inspire or cause you to think differently. But still there is purpose to the telling. At the end of your story, take a moment to reflect on what you shared. Answer

any questions you’ve raised: Why is this relevant? What’s the moral or point? Who is this message for?

Help us, the audience, understand what we’re supposed to get from the story. In the reflection, you must resolve any questions or conflicts that were raised.

This is, essentially, your conclusion. Your resolution. This can be a great opportunity to revisit your hook. Wrap up with a mention of

your attention-getter or a restatement of a quote, interesting fact, etc.

Opinion Posts

Opinion Posts Track the news and jump at opportunities. Timing is essential.

When an issue is dominating the news – whether it’s a war, a typhoon or just the latest controversy on a reality television show – that’s what readers want to read and op-ed editors want to publish. Whenever possible, therefore, link your issue explicitly to something happening in the news.

Make a single point - well. You cannot solve all of the world's problems in one blog post. Be satisfied with making a single point clearly and persuasively. If you cannot explain your message in a sentence or two, you're trying to cover too much.

Put your main point on top. You have no more than 10 seconds to hook a busy reader, so you must get to the point and convince the reader that it's worth his or her valuable time to continue.

Opinion Posts Tell readers why they should care. Put yourself in the place of

the busy person looking at your article. At the end of every few paragraphs, ask out loud: "So what? Who cares?" You need to answer these questions. Will your suggestions help reduce readers' taxes? Protect them from disease? Make their children happier? Explain why. People want to know “What’s in it for me?”

Offer specific recommendations. An opinion article is not a news story that simply describes a situation; it is your opinion about how to improve matters. Don't be satisfied, as you might in a school paper, with mere description. In an opinion article you need to offer recommendations. How exactly should the problem be fixed? You'll need to do more than call for "more research!" or suggest that opposing parties work out their differences.

Opinion Posts Showing is better than discussing. We remember colorful

details better than dry facts. When writing an opinion article, look for great examples that will bring your argument to life.

Avoid jargon. If a technical detail is not essential to your argument, don't use it. When in doubt, leave it out. Simple language doesn't mean simple thinking; it means you are being considerate of readers who lack your expertise and are sitting half-awake at their breakfast table or computer screen.

Use the active voice. Don't write: "It is hoped that the government will ..." Instead, say "I hope the government will …" Active voice is nearly always better than passive voice. It's easier to read, and it leaves no doubt about who is doing the hoping, recommending or other action.

Review Post

Review PostsReview posts offer an informed opinion about a

particular product or service. Structure:

Overview—what’s included, how much it costs, and so on The Good—mention the two or three aspects that were most

enjoyable or useful to you The Bad—write about what didn’t work so well – this adds credibility,

especially if you’re an affiliate for the product / service Verdict—should your readers buy the product / service?

Variation: “X vs Y” Often, readers will be struggling to choose between

two similar products or companies. A comparative review helps them make up their mind.

Problem Solving Post

Problem Solving IntroductionHave you ever tried to ___________? If so, you'll know that it's difficult because ___________________________. So what do you do? Many people have found success by ___________________. But there are a few things you should know before you ___________ to ____________. This post will tell you what you need to know to make sure you ____________________ that will let you successfully ________________.

Problem Solving Body If you're looking for a _____________, the best method to

ensure you end up with something that lets you _________________ is by looking for these things:

Make sure your ____________ lets you _______________. If it doesn't, you'll have trouble ___________.

Ensure your ___________ has a ____________ so you can ____________.

Any good ______________ should let you _____________. This is important because _________________.

While not necessary, some great bonus features of a great _____________ are __________, ____________, and _______________.

Problem Solving ConclusionNow that you know ________________, you're ready to __________________ without worrying _______________.

List Post

List PostWhat is a list post?

A list post gives a number of reasons, secrets, types, or ways something will work.

Why is it effective?It makes a very specific promise of what’s in store

for the reader. (They know what they will get)

List Post ExamplesDo You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs

of High Blood Pressure? People love to get a “heads up” on potential problems.

10 Ways to Beat the High Cost of Living A great way to deliver suggestions.

Five Familiar Skin Troubles Identify with your readers by discussing problems you know they are

having, and they just might determine that you are the right solution.

Six Types of Worker — Which One Are You? Let your readers self-identify themselves by providing categories they

will likely fall into. People love it when they can focus on themselves.

List Post ExamplesHow to Give Your Children Extra Iron — These

3 Delicious Ways This is a “how to” post mixed in with a list.

12 Secrets for Surviving High School People love learning things that they think most other people don’t

know.

Thank you!

Keep working at it!