Knowing how to write can’t-miss blogs is an absolute must for businesses looking to connect with their audience.
Ever wonder if it’s really worth it to put in all the extra time and effort required in order to make your business blog blow your audience away? Hubspot’s 2014 State of Inbound Marketing Reportfound that marketers who made blogging a priority were 13 times more likely to enjoy a positive return on their investment.
The bottom line? Effective blogging increases your visibility, builds brand loyalty, and generates qualified leads. However, your blogs have to be planned, researched, and creative to have the high-impact quality you need.
Plan It Out
Having a plan is an essential part of writing quality blogs. A well-constructed outline is the blueprint to your “blog building,” and will give you the structure you need to keep your writing focused. This can be as simple as a brief summary of points to touch on, or a more in-depth outline of where you want to take your readers.
However you like to structure your content creation, make sure it’s supported by a framework that will keep your thoughts clear and organized.
Once you’ve established your outline, it’s time to move on to one of the most critical elements of your blog: the title.
Building Your Headline
We all know your headline is important, but how important is it really?
Well, according to advertising guru David Ogilvy via Devedge, only 1 in 5 people will look at your content after reading your headline. Considering the rather unfavourable odds of attracting a reader are based solely on your article title, you’d better use this precious opportunity to convince your reader that your content has real value.
There are a few types of headlines that are proven to bring in the clicks:
Headlines phrased as a question: “What Are the Best Ways to Write an Effective Headline?”
Lists and numbers: “The 10 Most Important Aspects of Strong Blog Writing”
Problems that need solving: “The Hidden Reason Your Blogging Isn’t Working Like It Should”
These strategies pull readers into your content and entice them with the promise of a powerful message.
Now that you’ve got a killer headline, we can move to the actual meat of your blog.
Do Your Research
You don’t need to be an expert on your subject to write a blog. In fact, you might be surprised at how many bloggers go into a topic with little to no previous information on the subject at hand.
How do they pull this off without sounding phony? It all comes down to research taken from authoritative and quality sources.
So what makes a quality source?
Statements are great, but statistics are even better. There is a wealth of organizations out there that have done research on your topic. The trick is to find them. Don’t just trust any old blog with a fancy header and glittering graphics. Instead, try to pull information from reputable sources such as government websites, professional research articles, and sites backed with statistics and facts.
Visual Appeal
Internet journalism differs from print writing in a number of ways, and one of the most notable is the capacity for using visuals. Images and video can add variety to your posts and break up the monotony of the written word.
Visuals are fundamental, as found by Zabisco
Not only will visuals keep your reader interested, but research compiled by Zabisco found that 40 percent of readers respond better to visuals than plain text. Our brains process visual information more quickly, making the inclusion of video and images an easy way to get your message across before the short attention spans of your Internet readers direct them elsewhere.
Editorial Process
Once you’ve packed your blog with research-backed statistics, effective visuals, and value-driven content, you should be all done, right?
The last step to writing high-impact blogs is the process of reviewing and editing your material.
Sure, check your grammar and spelling, but you also need to check for word repetition, organizational flow, and general readability. Poor word choice or an obvious typo can deal a serious blow to your credibility and distract from your overall message.
Conclusion
Effective blogging is an art form. Blogging requires some type of planned structure, well-researched content, and proper editing, but memorable blogs can’t stop there.
Pushing the envelope with captivating headlines and effective visuals in addition to your killer content can set a high-value blog apart from the rank and file. Knowing what elements of your writing will resonate with your readers and keep them coming back for more is the best way to ensure that your blogs receive the attention that they deserve.
What techniques do you use for writing blogs that connect with your readers? Tell us about it in the comments below!
