Writing a blog post isn’t just about sitting down and putting words on the computer screen. If you want them to have an impact, you need to be intentional. That comes from planning your content out to match what’s going on in your business, and really having a reason to post something in the first place.
Take some time to answer these questions before you start writing your next blog post (or social post or email). You can answer in your head or, to get a head start on the writing process, use my downloadable worksheet and fill in the blanks. You’ll be one step closer to blog success.
Why am I writing?
There needs to be a reason for you to sit down and write. Your blog is a marketing machine, a place where you can share valuable information with your audience and teach them something. And the more educated your audience is, the more empowered they are to make informed decisions. So don’t just write for the sake of writing. Write with purpose and intention.
[bctt tweet=”Figure out why you’re writing, before you start. Write with purpose and intention.” username=””]
Who am I writing this for?
You need to know who your audience is before you start getting your content out. Maybe someone asked you a question that you want to address in a blog post or a need you see among your clients. Think of who those people are and write directly to them.
What are my main points to share?
In other words, what do you want your audience to get out of your blog post? Is there something you want them to learn? I find it helpful to write down my main points first and then build my blog post around that. This helps me ensure that I’m getting the right message across.
Where will I post it?
Sometimes you’re writing a blog post for your own website while others your putting together a guest blog or a social post. Before you start writing, know where you’ll share it. You’ll know about how many words you’re writing and what tone you should take before your first word appears on your computer screen.
How will I share it?
There’s no point in writing content that doesn’t get shared. If you’re writing a blog post, know how (or if) you’ll share it on all your social channels, when you’ll repurpose some of the content for your email or which Facebook groups would be most interested in what you have to say.
What do I want my readers to do after reading my post?
Ultimately, your blog post (email, social post, etc.) is a trigger to get your readers to take some kind of action. You might want them to go to another blog post or grab a take-away from your content to improve something in their business. Or maybe you want them to sign up for your email list (see below).
[bctt tweet=”Don’t just write. Write with purpose. Know what you want your readers to do after reading.” username=””]
Is there an opportunity to upgrade the content?
Content upgrades, also known as freebies or opt-ins, are a great way to deliver more value and grab your audience’s email address. And why would you want your readers’ email addresses? Quality content in their inbox is the perfect way to keep them engaged and, eventually, sell to them.
Which, of course, is why I have a handy fillable worksheet you can use as a checklist or an outline as you start your next writing piece. Grab it here!
