how to write a blog post

How to Write a Blog PostDavid HamiltonApril 2013

Hello, I’m David, and I’m a word-nerd.david@davidihamilton.com

(Image by Robert Occhialini)

@KO_DavidH

What is a blog? “A blog is merely a tool that lets you do anything from change the world to share your shopping list…. Blogs are whatever we make them. Defining ‘blog’ is a fool’s errand.” – Jeff Jarvis

New-ish categories of blogs expand what’s possible including photo blogs, video blogs (or vlogs), and microblogs (like Twitter).

Blogs are similar to a lot of things, and they can be many things, but it’s important to pay attention to how they’re different.

“The medium is the message”

– Marshall McLuhan

Blog-ish tendencies• Personal

• Regular Posting

• Unconstrained by Length (but there are attention constraints)

• Hyperlink to other resources

• Community Involvement (often unavoidable)

• Less Institutional; Less Editorial Oversight

Why do people read blogs? Everyone wants good content. Good content is usually either a solution to a problem, or something that’s entertaining.

Solution to problem Entertainment

Trust

“The currency of blogging is authenticity and trust… you pay folks to blog about a product and you compromise that”–Jason Calacanis

Coming up with ideas

Where to look for ideasIdeas are everywhere.

•Can you relate an experience to something larger?

•Change your point of view.

•Think about your own experiences.

•Think beyond yourself: It’s not always about you!

•Research points/counter-points.

•Read lots – you never know what connections you’ll make.

•Let the info come to you by setting up alerts for your subject.

•Get out and talk to people.

•Think of your audience.

Types of posts You’ve got an idea – now you have to mash it into a blog. Find the best way to present it.

Types of blog posts

1. List post

2. Personal anecdote/opinion/essay

3. A Dialogue/Q&A

4. Summary post

5. Link post

6. Review post

7. Advice post

8. Video/photo post

Make a Plan Do some research.

Come up with questions.

Create an outline, and break things down into manageable pieces.

Don’t tackle too much in one post. You can do a better job making it a series of posts.

Beginnings, Middles and EndsPutting it all together – one piece at a time.

Beginnings Most blog posts have at least an intro paragraph or blurb.

Make it informative.

Make it enticing. Pitch it! Explain why you’re writing this. Why you? Establish what the post is about and what will be covered.

Set the stage

You’re also setting up the reader’s expectations!

“In this post, I’ll explain the way I became a saint (or pariah) in my industry.”

“Follow along to find out why I think this government policy works/doesn’t work.”

Middles Decide what points to cover.

Give it a logical progression.

Structure your post with headings. (WordPress makes this easy!)

Your plan could change.

Ends Conclusion paragraphs are where you summarize your post – it sharpens the point.

It also allows you to relate this post to other things in the world.

It can raise other questions. Don’t make your blog the be-all-end-all. End a blog with questions.

You can give a preview to your next related posts.

“A blog is in many ways a continuing conversation.” – Andrew Sullivan

Rewrite and rewrite some more

“I write one page of masterpiece to ninety-one pages of shit. I try to put the shit in the

wastebasket.”- Ernest Hemingway

Editing tips There’s no great writing without great editing.

Write clearly, and simply.

If something can be written shorter and retain the same meaning, by all means shorten it.

Use the active voice, not passive.

Have the power to delete – especially sentences you love.

Don’t stretch the truth. Check your facts!

Making blogging easier & better!Use WordPress to streamline your blogging workflow for yourself, and make better user experiences.

WordPress hacks for bloggers Setup your WordPress blog to make it easy to write when inspiration strikes

1. Use the “Blog This” bookmarklet. When you find a website or blog post that you

2. Set the default image/video dimensions to the width of your blog.

3. Use the Headings tags - for your main points, use H2, then if you have a sub-point, use H3. This is good for search engines (esp. with keywords in headings), but also for readers how may want to skim your post.

4. Use post excerpts to tease site visitors into reading your whole post.

The “Blog This” bookmarklet

Add this to your browser’s favourites bar to blog about

sites you’ve found.

Set the default image/video dimensions

Make this the maximum width of

your blog too.

The width of your blog.

Width for accent pic.

Use the Headings tags

3. Click PARAGRAPH

4. Choose a heading.

2. Select heading text.

1. Click to open the “kitchen sink”.

Use the “more” link

Add a “more” link.

Click for custom excerpt options

Use post excerpts

Click icon to add picture

Enable Excerpts.

Beyond the Blog

Your Post in the Blog Ecosystem Blogs exist in an ecosystem.

People can comment directly on your blog, and even if comments are off, they can write about you on their own blog.

Find ways to connect with other people.

Give credit where credit’s due.“A blog is only as interesting as the interest shown in others.” ― Lee Odden

If you work really hard & be kind, amazing things will happen. Even if you think no one’s reading, write as if someone’s reading. They will, eventually.

Believe in what you write. It has value.

Don’t shy away from the hard stuff.

“If you're going to fall out of love with public approval, something interesting will happen: people will be deeply attracted to your work.” ― Jeff Goins

We’re a Community If you have an idea you want to express, please reach out!

T: @KO_DavidHE: david@davidihamilton.com

Read other blogs, experiment, and have fun. Blogging is best learned by blogging