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 Newbie, Jane Sheeba offers advice such as knowing your target reader and improving your ability to write.

Guest Post Author Karen Guzman

Karen Guzman is the host of the popular blog Write to Despite

How/why did you start to write?

I started writing stories in fifth grade, which resulted that year in two production of two little “books,” one about a pony and one about a dog. Surprising, right?

What was your first published piece?

A short story titled “Get On With It.”

Where was it published?

In a very tiny literary magazine out of the midwest. Believe it or not, I’ve actually forgotten the magazine’s name. At the time it was such a major thing to me, and now I can’t remember the publication’s name. I remember the story because it was so incredibly sophomoric. Yeech.

How long ago?

1990

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

I worked as a newspaper journalist right after college, stopped briefly while I earned an MFA, and then went back to newsrooms for another 13 years. The benefits of my time as a reporter and feature writer are just too numerous to mention. Working in daily journalism gives you a front-row seat on the world, the communities, issues, and people that you write about, and it’s an absolutely fantastic education. It helped me grow up, a lot.

What inspires you?

Nature, the Divine, deeply felt and beautifully written literature.

Please share one of your successful author platform building technique

I wish I had more to share. Our blog www.WriteDespite.org

is my first platform. It’s doing well, but to grow, we need to get the word out more broadly and provide more varied and compelling content.

Parting words

Our blog www.WriteDespite.org

 is about writers helping writers. Send us your thoughts. Share your successes and frustrations. We’d love to hear from you.

Karen Guzman writing samples...


Feature story that appeared in Chicago Tribune