Thursday, October 10, 2013

Tips on Writing Blog Posts by Leanne Dyck



 When trying to find blog topics take direction from your target reader. For example, when I created this blog I was a soon-to-be-published author. In fact, back then, one of my reasons for creating this blog was to market my book. The protagonist of that book was a knitwear designer. And I was undertaking a career transition, moving from a knitwear designer who wrote to an author who knit. 
What am I going to do with all the hand knitting pattern I've designed? I wondered. Then, like a poke from a knitting needle, it hit me--offer them for free on my blog. 
Three years later these patterns are still among my most popular posts.
Other advice...
Keep blog articles brief -- from 200 to 500 words.
Blog regularly -- ideally two to three times a week.



 In his article How to Craft a Blog Post--10 Crucial Points to Pause, Darren Rowse encourages bloggers to slow down. Good advise to follow whatever you write. You may enjoy reading his series of posts on 'How to Write Great Blog Content' 

In Jeff Havens' post 3 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Blog Posts, he advises against writing the entire post in one long paragraph; writing simply to sell; and using your post as a means to share your problems.

Bryan Hutchinson wrote an interesting article for one of my favourite blogs--Write to Done. In it, he reveals the secret of how you can write a blog post that will go viral. 'Go viral' he describes as the 'holy grail of blog writing'. In order to reach this goal, he explains that it's important to know your niche, your community and your world view.

Peter Sandeen sings the praises of writing guest posts in the article he wrote for Write to Done -- The Surefire Way to Attract New Readers With Every Blog Post

In her article 5.5 Tips to Write Amazing Blog Posts Even If You Are a NewbieJane Sheeba offers advice such as knowing your target reader and improving your ability to write.