Write Better for a Better Blog Series
Sometimes it helps to just have some quick tips to refer to when you need help with content writing.
So I thought I’d help you out by giving you a quick list of things that I do when preparing my blog posts.
All of these items are not appropriate for every post, but helps to have them available to make sure you don’t forget something important. I don’t always complete these things in the same order – sometimes I draft and then do these things while I edit – so don’t allow yourself to feel bound by order.
If you want your content to be engaging here’s what you need:
Create an engaging opener -
Dive right in and start talking to the reader. Don’t start with facts. I often like to start by telling what prompted me to write a particular piece. Sometimes I start off as if the conversation has already started.
Add vivid details wherever relevant -
Don’t overdo it, but sometimes creating a scene helps hook people and draw them in. Be specific – name specific items; avoid use of the words “things” “bad” “good” – stretch yourself to find more engaging details. Remember the five sense as you write and try to appeal to as many of them that are logical.
Use Active language -
Here’s how to gauge whether or not your sentences are passive – count how many times you use the words “was, were, had been, is, or are” – too many may signal passive voice. Try to replace them with more accurate active verbs. That will add energy and life to your post.
Instead of “the other day I was writing a post…”
say, “the other day I wrote a post…”
Instead of “we were thinking about moving, but…”
say, “we thought about moving, but…”
Remix cliches for hint of the unexpected -
Instead of digging into your usual bag of cliches, try changing things up. Play around with words. See if you can come up with something fresh.
Instead of writing, “I’m starving to death…”
write, “I’m so hungry, even the Grim Reaper looks delicious …”
Instead of writing, “I’m tired as a dog…”
write, “If I was any more tired, someone might have to put a leash around my collar…”
I know these might not be the best or the funniest, but at least they aren’t the same old thing – they wake up the senses because they are unexpected.
Tie it all together -
Don’t just end a post abruptly, tie everything together neatly with a quick 2 – 3 sentence conclusion. An easy way to do this is to think about what each of your points had in common – or – how your readers could apply them. Or you could end with a question (like I did) that helps your readers think and come to a conclusion of their own.
Of course, this not a complete list – I want you to add to it. What writing tricks do you use to make sure your content is fun and engaging?
Enjoy some link juice by completing this assignment:
Write a post or share an exisiting blog post that uses at least one of the methods above.
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About Kiesha Easley
Great tips. You made a great points about writing web blog content, but for me it is very important for me to have a blog that is different from others but somehow it’s a matter of our choice and styles we want to have a good quality of web blog content.
Ethan Jones recently posted..Best Credit Card in Canada
Remixing cliches gave me a few great ideas.
The important thing throughout it all, you must engage your readers. The internet has become so social it’s a necessity to reach out and be on a social level. The more you embrace and engage, the better the relationships you build.
The better the relationships, the more success you will have! Concept is simple, putting it into action is difficult at times.
Barry Wheeler – Blogging for Success recently posted..Tips for Improving Your Blog and Engaging your Readers
I honestly enjoyed the “Remix Cliches” part. Wow, I haven’t thought about it but I believe it would make blog posts even more interesting when applied.
The other tips are basic essay writing tips taught in English classes but most people seem to forget them.
Jonathan recently posted..Japans Earthquake and the Philippine Economy
Great post!
You need to make your reader interested so they don’t just fall…. asleep…
It’s no fun to write like, how they said in 2nd grade, a robot. You want to put some fun into it so you don’t fall asleep, too!
Useful tips on writing engaging content Keisha. I think is important to engage the reader throughout the whole post from beginning to end and if you can tell or relate to a story it’s even better.
Also having a goal in mind when you’re writing is key too. I often ask myself what do I want my readers to get out of reading this post? It puts a lot of things into perspective and helps me prepare and add more value when I am writing.
By the way, this blog looks great and I must say you introduced me to mime ministry as I’ve never even see or heard that before, it’s pretty cool!
Anna
Anna Haller recently posted..Traffic Results For Alex Jeffreys Contest
Hi Kiesha, I think that using great images in the post make it more memorable. It always stands out for me if a blogger picks a unique image that really relates to the post.
Thanks for the tips.
Ileane recently posted..Google I/O 2010 For Dummies
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Ileane!
You are absolutely right! I forgot about that! Yeah, I’m definitely drawn by engaging images, especially if they are a bit humorous.
Awesome thoughts! I especially love what you say about active words. I think we can trim 30% of most blog posts if we just use more powerful single words.
Brandon Cox recently posted..The Subtle Erosion of Our Trust Equity
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Brandon!
Thanks! You’re right, blog posts would be a lot shorter if we just trimmed those passive and unnecessary words.
Hey Kiesha,
I love how you gave the examples. Not to mention they are funny. :)
Have a great weekend…
Josh
Josh Garcia recently posted..If You Don’t Use Social Media Marketing Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Josh!
I think my examples need a little butter, ’cause they’re a bit on the corny side – but I was try to give some quick tips – that meant, I didn’t have a whole lot of time to come up with more clever examples. I just hope everyone got the point that it’s okay to be creative and change things up.
Good tips Kiesha. My personal favorite for writing engaging content is to use a more natural and informal style. One that is conversational, so it feels like I am talking to each individual reader. I sometimes have to relax my grammar a little to accomplish this, but just a little.
“Tie it all together”, you are so right, this is so important. A good closing summary/paragraph is the clincher. This is the author’s opportunity to coax the reader into action, such as asking them to share their opinion or take on the post by leaving you a comment.
Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella recently posted..Is There Software That Can Help Improve Your Blog Writing Style?
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Joella,
Thanks for stopping by!
You’re right about the summary being that last chance to motivate the reader to action. It’s easy to forget that part.
Hey,
Nice points.
“Dive right in and start talking to the reader…I often like to start by telling what prompted me to write a particular piece.”
I agree. This seems natural and makes a great personal effect/touch to the post. The reader will naturally be inclined to read the rest of the post.
I would like to add that sometimes, short, to-the-point posts are better than long posts.
In fact, sometimes it is harder to write shorter posts which keep the interested, instead of long posts where the reader might get distracted or bored.
Cheers
Nabeel
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Nabeel,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You’re right about short-to-the-point posts. I do find it hard to do that. I’m going to start giving it a try.