How to write a blog post from start to finish
Writing a blog post can be an exciting but daunting task. If you’ve ever wondered how to get started, this one’s for you. I’m sharing my blog writing process, from start to finish. It will take you from the gem of an idea, right through to publishing. And I’ve included related links so you can delve in and find out more.
I use this process every time, whether I’m writing for charity sites, business sites, or my own websites. It’s a tried and tested method, bringing in thousands of visitors each year.
First ask why
This is always my starting point, and my it covers many (many) sub-questions.
Why are you writing a blog post in the first place?
What’s the reason for it?
Who’s it for?
What are you planning on sharing?
Is a blog the best way to do that?
How do you feel about writing - are you better on video?
Would another form of content work better?
Yep, even though I’m a professional writer, that final question is crucial.
There’s absolutely no point in me writing a blog post if it’s not the best way to share something.
For example, you follow someone on social media who upcycles furniture. Would you rather read a blog post about what they’ve done and the steps involved with a couple of pics? Or do you want to see before and after shots? Maybe even a fast time lapse demonstrating the transformation?
Related posts:
To help answer ‘Why’ read: Why content strategy is important for small businesses
Also check: What is content strategy?
Making a start
You’ve got the strategy nailed and know the topic and audience. You definitely want to go ahead with a blog post. So, what’s next?
Pulling thoughts together
My first step is pulling all the thoughts in my mind together. Different strategies work for different brains, but I love a piece of paper and mind map. It unleashes my creativity and allows my thoughts to go off on tangents.
At this point, I’m just noting ideas to research later on.
Writing an outline
Using the mind map, I then create a rough outline of the blog structure. By now, I’m using a word document, or writing straight into my website’s blog editor. This is because the outline will be the basis for the finished post, so why duplicate.
My blog outline has an introduction, potential sub headings, and a conclusion. Under each, I list bullet points of potential things to include.
Remember, Google is looking for helpful content. Forget about writing for search engines right now. Instead, concentrate on creating something people will find useful.
Dealing with writers block
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for a mind map and blog outline, I’d ask whether it’s the right topic to write about. When I’m writing for my own websites, the ideas come thick and fast. And that’s what you want to happen.
Google looks for E.E.A.T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness). So it’s important to make sure you can speak about a topic in enough depth.
But, there are times when a little help can be useful, especially when writing for someone else. That’s where technology comes in.
Using technology to help
Good research is essential when I’m writing for clients. But it’s also important for my own blog posts.
A little time delving into Google for relevant facts and figures can really add context. Ensure you’re looking at sites with high authority, especially when quoting statistics. You need to feel confident about the source of any statistics you use. No quoting something from your bestie doing a poll of 10 friends in the pub!
If you’re completely stuck for blog outline ideas, ChatGPT can help get you going. Ask it for a blog outline for x, y, z and it will produce something within seconds. But remember to include your own ideas into the post so the content is original thought. Nobody wants to read regurgitated blog posts, adding nothing to the discussion. And, it’s not what search engines are looking for either.
Related posts:
For more information on SEO, read: How to improve your website’s search ranking
For tips on what to watch out for with ChatGPT, read: Will ChatGPT replace content writers?
Begin writing
Once you have a blog outline and a little research to flesh out the detail, you can start writing. For me, that means a crappy first draft. Yep, you read that correctly.
Write a crappy first draft!
Side note: To my current and future clients - stop panicking 😂 It’s a starting point and the finished blog post will be nothing like the crappy first draft.
A crappy first draft will help add detail to your outline. It’s a great way to get over writer’s block, and it gives something to edit and polish later down the line.
Remember, you can’t edit a blank page. So the crappy first draft gets things moving. It’s one of the most valuable things I learned about when I started writing professionally.
Keep the following in mind:
Tone of voice (friendly, casual, formal?)
Introduction, middle, and conclusion
Telling a story
Forget about SEO and keywords (for now)
Concentrate on getting everything out of your head
Get editing
This is where the magic happens.
First edit
For my first edit, I go through the post from start to finish and tidy up my writing. I make sure it flows well from thought to thought, and that it tells a story. At this stage, I’m often moving whole paragraphs around and changing things so they make more sense. I’ll usually write the headline too.
Adding keywords
Next, I add in my chosen keywords. It’s important not to detract from the flow of writing, and to ensure they make sense.
Gone are the days of keyword stuffing, so do not do this. If you want to know what I mean by keyword stuffing, see below for a great example from contentwriters.com. It’s terrible to read, and search engines will penalise you for doing it.
Related post:
To find out what to do instead, read How to write SEO friendly blog posts
Final edit
This is where I run through and check my spelling and grammar. In an ideal situation, I’ll leave the post for a day before doing the final edit. That’s because our brains know what we intended to write and, without a break, can often fill in the blanks.
Some people find it easiest to read out loud and record then play back when editing. Another option is getting a friend or family member to check through.
My preferred method is to copy text into the Hemingway App. The change in look and format jolts my brain into seeing something different. The App also highlights when I’ve begun writing overly complicated sentences.
SEO check
My final edit is where I’ll do a last SEO check.
Writing the meta description
Ensuring the meta description and headings the right length
Changing the URL
Adding tags and categories
Naming images and adding alt-tags
Checking keywords
Related post:
I already linked to this above but it’s worth sharing again: How to write SEO friendly blog posts
Publish and share
Once I’m happy, I either publish the blog post or send it through to my client.
If I’m writing on behalf of a client, they get the chance to give feedback before receiving the final copy. Most choose not to, but it’s important for me to have that option in my contracts.
Sharing blog posts
It’s not enough to simply leave published blog posts on your website for search engines to find. They need sharing on social media platforms and with email subscribers.
The more places you promote it, the wider your message will be spread. The more people click and reading, the more it tells search engines that it’s helpful content.
To learn more about writing blog posts, check these other related posts below:
24 tips for writing great content
10 easy ways to create new ideas for your blog
Why have a blog for your business?
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