How to Write A Successful Blog Post That Will Rank

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You’ve followed the steps to start a blog.  It is set up and has a great theme, layout, and style. But now comes the reason for your blog – the content.

You may be feeling frustrated because you have no idea where to start.  Of, if you have been blogging for a while,  you aren’t sure you’ve correctly written your posts.

You aren’t alone.

Writing a compelling blog post doesn’t need to leave you feeling stressed.  It is simpler than you think. You just need someone to show you what to do.

If you read any articles about blogging, they all talk about getting started.  And then, just like a mama bird, they throw you out of the nest and expect you to know how to fly.

But that doesn’t work.

All too often, bloggers share their ultimate start a blog post, but they stop short of telling you what to do after you start your blog. They don’t take the time to talk about what matters most – your blog posts.

There are not any secrets to writing a blog post that people will want to read.  It is just about making sure your article is well-written, so it is helpful for the person who is clicking to learn more.

You may want to write a blog post fast, but the truth is what you need to focus on more is the content rather than the time you spend writing.

Before we get started, make sure you grab your free blog post template!!  You’ll have a simple format to follow as you write your next post.

What is a blog post?

Your posts are your ideas. They are the articles you write that you will share on Pinterest, Facebook, and your list. It is what your site is about.

For example, what you are reading right now is a blog post. It is an article on this site to teach you about, well, how to write a post. ????

What makes the perfect blog article?

Chances are that you want to make money, whether that be through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products, your content matters.  However, that is one small part. You need to know how to structure your content.  You need to learn how to write a blog post that sells.

Make sure the layout makes sense

Your post needs to be easy to read.  If it isn’t, readers will click out before they even scroll.  And not only that, but Google will not rank you very well either.  Use the simple blog post template (seen above), so you know what to do on every blog post you write.

Always include at least one image

Images break up the content and make it much easier to read.  It also can invoke emotion and pull the reader in so they connect more with your message.

Your images do not need to be those you take yourself.  Stock images and graphics can work very well on many posts.

The important thing here is to ensure the image goes with your post, is clear, and properly optimized to provide a positive reader experience.

White space is your friend

White space is vital.  Your paragraphs should never be more than three sentences long.  That gives white space (especially on mobile) and makes your article much easier to read.

Use headers

All too often, bloggers are not using headers when writing an article.  Your headers are where you put those keywords you want Google to find on your site.  That means you must use them.

Your headers are your H2 and H3 tags.  If you look at this post, you will see the H2 tag above, and each topic is an H3.  That makes it easy for readers to read and follow the content.

Consider bullets or lists

Sometimes you can make content stand out and easier to read if you use lists or bulleted items.  When readers are learning a topic, these lists and bulleted talking points help draw attention where it needs to be.

That way, even if they skim (which many do), they know where to focus their attention so they can learn.

Know your avatar (or audience)

There are times when bloggers feel that they must be more generic in their writing to appeal to everyone.  That doesn’t work.  When you write your posts, you need to know who you are talking to.

What are the struggles for your reader?  Why is this person visiting your site? What problems or issues are you trying to solve?

For example, there are several ways to save for retirement.  But the way you save in your 20’s is different than in your 50’s.  You would not expect both to get the same advice, right?

The same is true with your blog posts.  When you know who you are writing for, it makes sense.  Your reader will connect to the content, and more importantly, to you.

Don’t feel like you need to write for every person out there. It is OK if people don’t connect with you because magic happens when the right one does.

Read more: Finding the right blogging niche

Don’t get too hung up on the length

While Google may like longer content, there are times when that doesn’t make sense.  You don’t want to fill an article with fluff and nonsense simply to add length.  That is not a good idea.

What matters more is that you cover everything you can about the topic that helps your reader.

Use proper grammar

You must take time and review and edit your content.  You do not want to hit the publish button on a piece riddled with typos.  That will turn your readers away.

If you are not great at editing, you may want to hire a blog editor.  You can also invest in software, such as Grammarly, and edit every article before you hit the publish button.

Solve a problem

Most people who read an article have a question. They find yours and read it, looking for a solution.

In short, a good blog post is not only interesting and engaging but helps the reader by providing information and education on a given topic.

Include proper internal links to related content

Another thing to keep in mind when writing posts that can rank is to include internal links to other related content on your site.

For example, your post might mention the hotel you stayed at in London, which you wrote about in another article. If so, link to that London hotel article on your post about train travel across Europe.

It is also a good idea to link to your about page if you need to establish more authority and give people a chance to learn more about you and what your site will do for them.  Why is that they need to stick around?

Read More: 10 Mistakes That are Hurting Your Blog Post

How long should a blog post be?

A quick Google search on the topic will show countless articles that say your post needs to be at least 1,000 words — or longer.  That is not random people spouting what they believe. It is true.

Google loves longer content because it often provides more value and helps the reader.  It often does. But not always.

The truth is that if the content of your post can be covered in-depth in 800 words, then that is all the longer it needs to be.  Don’t think that your shorter post can’t rank, as it is not true at all.

Of course, you don’t want a post that is only 350 words or one that is 8,000, either. It is more about finding the proper length that teaches your reader what they need to know so they don’t have to click away from your site to do more research.

What type of writing style should you use on your blog?

You have probably been on those sites where you read, and it feels like the person is talking directly to you. You connect with them and want to hang around.

You’ve also seen boring posts, and you click out before you get to the end of the third paragraph. It wasn’t for you.

Which blogger did better?

Both of them did.

Just because you did not like the second post does not mean it was wrong. It was that the blogger’s style was not for you.

Your style is your voice. It is about the person you are writing for.

You may write with humor. It could be you are very serious and clinical. You may also use personal anecdotes.  Any of these are acceptable.

You need to connect with your readers. That is what gets them to sign up for your list and want to read every word you need to say.

You need to be true to who you are and the way you want to write. Don’t change something simply because you read an article that said you should not swear. If swearing is what you do to get your point across – then do it!

Being true to your style allows you to connect with your readers, which establishes trust and takes them from casual reader to raving fan.

What should you write about on your blog?

You may know your blogging niche, but deciding what to write about can be challenging.  How do you get ideas and know what to write about next? Let’s talk about how to get article ideas for your site time after time.

Brainstorm ideas

Sometimes it is tough to come up with content ideas.  When you first start blogging, you have lots of thoughts for articles. However, as time goes on, that may not be quite as easy.

Start by brainstorming.  Set your timer for 5 or 10 minutes and jot down any ideas that come to mind.  During this session, never say “that is stupid” — put it on your list!   When the timer goes off, look over everything and expand on it.

For example, if you wrote down taking better pictures, what can you do with this topic?  Maybe you could talk about taking better photos of your kids.  Perhaps you want to help bloggers improve food photography. Dig deeper into each item to see what you can do to make an awesome article.

Ask your audience

You could also survey your audience.  Ask your email subscribers or do a Live in your Facebook group to find out their struggles.  After all, these are the people visiting your site, so if you can help them, you can help others as well.

Decide what type of post you want to write

There are all sorts of different kinds of blog posts you can put onto your site.  You need to decide what type of post you wish to include.

• How To Posts.  Teach the reader how to do a specific task or project.
• Product Posts.  Talk about your product or another product/service that you want your readers to purchase.
• Comparison. You can compare two or more products in your article.
• Rant.  Maybe there is something that you don’t like that you want to talk about with your readers.

Keywords

Once you have some ideas for topics, the next thing to do before you start writing is to conduct keyword research.

Keywords are how Google will know what your site is about. And, since the goal is to get traffic, you want to make sure you include those phrases.

To search for keywords, you can use a Chrome extension called Keyword Surfer. When you type in a keyword, you will get suggestions for other keywords that you may want to consider.

You can also type in any phrase into Google and see suggested keyword phrases listed at the end of page one. These are some terms you may want to add to your blog piece.

There are many other ways to conduct your keyword research, but these two ideas will get you started.

What is the right blog post format to follow?

Once you know the basics and have your keywords, it is time to build your post. But, don’t write it like you would a term paper in high school.

All blog posts should follow a basic format:

1. Intro
2. Image 1
3. Secondary intro (if necessary)
4. First opt-in
5. Topics with headers and sub-headers
6. Second opt-in
7. Closing

It will take some practice, trial, and error, but you will nail a post structure that works for you and your readers.

Use a Blog Post Template

If you look in the blue boxes in this article, you will see a blog post template you can download to use as a guide. That is helpful, but what might work even better for you is to use a full blog post template.

Not just any template, but one that can get you traffic.  For example, you can download 6 Popular Blog Post Templates that you can use on your site to create epic content.   Using these templates makes creating the content much easier.

Of course, you need to keep in mind some important parts of your post – even if you download a post template.

Make sure your headline makes people want to click

You’ve got the topic idea. Next, you need to create an attention-grabbing headline.  That is the only way people will want to click.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your headline is your H1 header (which it is in most themes) and that it also includes that keyword for which you want to rank.

Brainstorm ideas

You may need to brainstorm several headline ideas or use one of the headline analyzers.  During your session, don’t rule out any thoughts.

Sometimes the craziest title name ends up being the best.

Ideas to keep in mind

There is much to consider when writing a blog post headline.  Some of these include:

• Use the right adjectives
• Educate or promise something
• Use a call-to-action
• Try using numbers
• Consider rational

If you want to dig deeper and learn even more about headlines, check out How to Write Killer Headlines to Get People to Click.

Check others

I am not telling you to copy other bloggers. Not at all. However, you can review posts to get some of the buzzwords or develop ideas for your post title.

The most important part of your blog article

The first paragraph of your post needs to quickly grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue scrolling. It is one section you need to focus on the most when writing the perfect blog post.

Connect with your reader

The simplest way to do this is to make the reader feel as if you are speaking directly at them.  You can do this by including the word “you.”

When you can make your visitor feel a part of the conversation, they will continue to scroll and read your fantastic article.

Use emotion

Readers will connect when you not only talk to them but also if you make them feel something as well. The simple way you do this is with buzz words.

Look at your article and include words such as:

• Frustrated
• Worried
• Tired Of
• Love
• Fearful
• Stressed

When a reader sees a phrase such as “You know your kids need to eat healthily but are worried you are failing in this department.”  Right there, you’ve connected with them and added the fear and worry they have when it comes to their kids.

These phrases can create that instant connection and bond with your reader from the moment they visit your site.

Talk about the problem

What is it that you are trying to solve for your reader?  Check out my intro above.  I say this:

You may be feeling frustrated because you have no idea where to start.
Or, if you have been blogging for a while, you worry that you have not written your posts the right way.

Do you see that I touch on the problem?  I share that bloggers don’t know how to write a blog post or worry that they aren’t doing it the right way.

Anyone who needs help in this area will want to continue scrolling (just like you).

Reassure and promise your reader

Once you touch on the problem, the reader must see that you are going to help them.  Tell them how you will solve their problem.

Pull your reader in even more by offering them a solution to their problem.  Let them know that you are here to help and achieve if they read your article and follow your advice.

Transition to your content

The final piece of a well-written intro will segway from the intro to the content.  Talk about the problems and then hit as to the solutions.

Now is when you go more in-depth about telling the reader what it is; they will learn from you.  Why should they keep reading?

Tell them now.

Get more conversions from your blog post

You need to place a call-to-action in your articles.  And, the one you want to use on every post is the opt-in!  You need to make sure you get them to sign up to be on your email list.

Make sure the freebie makes sense

When it comes to putting your opt-in (also called your freebie) on your post, it needs to make sense.  It should provide value to the reader, so they can’t wait to hand over their email address.

Saying things such as “get on the list” or “sign up to get my freebies by mail” will not work. It just won’t.

Instead, make sure that your freebie provides value beyond the post.  If you are sharing an article on making the perfect cake, then a baking tips printable would be great.

Add the opt-in twice

You want to place your email sign-up box in your article more than once.  The first placement should be towards the top of the post and the second the bottom.

The first one will capture readers before they scroll too far.  That way, if they don’t want to read and would instead get your freebie by mail, they will do so.

You will also place a second one towards the bottom.  Then, when they finish reading and feel that it was beneficial, they have another chance to get on your list.

The right way to end your article

You may read articles that just end.  There is no closing to them at all.  It makes you feel as if you are missing something, and the article was not finished.

You need to close out your posts. It needs to include two pieces:

1. Wraps up the content
2. Asks for engagement

Wrap up your content

You need to recap the post in a couple of sentences.  Again touch on their problem and how you solved it for them.  When you make the reader feel that you helped them, they will return to read more from you.

Ask for engagement

You can also close the post by asking readers to comment or email you.  You may even ask them to share your content on social media.

When a reader feels a connection, they will be more apt to comment and engage with you.  Just make sure to respond to them so they do feel you are listening.

There you go!  Now you never have to worry that you aren’t creating quality blog posts. Grab my free template so you can follow that simple rule with every blog post you create.

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