
You know that feeling of anxiety when you first open a blank sheet of paper and try to figure what to write. It’s awful. Today, I will show you how to create blogs.
Even for experienced bloggers, it’s not easy to find the motivation to write. If you own a business or manage a blog, you understand the importance of maintaining a regular blog schedule. Sometimes you can’t choose what content to produce.
Now the question is:
How do you write blogs consistently?
Although it is great to fill your content calendar with ideas for blog posts, the actual writing process can still be a challenge, even with a list of topics.
A blog post template is something I find very helpful. It’s a basic structure that provides some tips and guiding points.
This Blog Planning Template does exactly that. This is the exact same template Adam and Toby have used with students and high-paying clients for more than 10 years.
If you ever feel stuck or unable to write your next blog post, this is the place for you. Perhaps you are looking for guidance in turning your thoughts into a cohesive, well-structured blog post.
This template will show you how to create blogs.
This article will show you step-by-step how to use the blog post planning template to create compelling content over and over again.
This template is part of our 33 Web Marketing templates and has been downloaded thousands of times. It provides a simple structure to help you write compelling blogs every time.
You can get a copy of the book here if you don’t already have one.
Bonus Download, The “Blog Post Planning template”, is a simple and easy-to-use structure that allows you to create compelling blog posts every single time.
Is Blogging Worth It?
It’s possible that blogging is not your top priority if you are overwhelmed by other tasks, such as meeting deadlines for clients. There are many reasons to blog, and they can lead to better business.
These are just a few…
- Your blog speaks directly to search engines. Google searches are the most common way people discover your business. Companies that have a blog get 55% more visitors.
- Your blog will help you distinguish yourself from other experts in your field. Blogs are a great way to show leadership and thought.
- Your blog can help customers retain and loyalty. Consumers read an average of 5-10 blogs per day – if you are one of these, you’ve created a connection that goes beyond the initial purchase.
However, despite all these compelling reasons and many marketers realizing that they need to blog, it is often put on the back burner. It just becomes too difficult sometimes.
Writing Block: How to Break it
It can be difficult to plan for when creativity might strike. It can be not easy to write something if you are trying to manage your time.
This template will help you write blog posts that are interesting and informative. This template allows you to break down your blog post into sections so that you don’t have a long time writing it all at once.
Instead, imagine how your article will look and follow the template. You’ll be able to add your creativity without getting overwhelmed.
Those moments of frustration when you stare blankly at the screen will be less frequent.
How to use the Blog Post Planning Template
This template will make it easy to plan your next blog post.
It is much easier to manage your time by breaking down a blog post into smaller chunks, like the one we have in this template.
The Headline
Spend 20 to 45 minutes brainstorming ideas for a title. This is the most important part of the article. Don’t just say the subject. Keep in mind your audience. They’ll often find the article via social media or through your email newsletter. The headline may be the most important part of the article.
Look for headline inspiration.
You can always check out the headlines of your favorite bloggers. You can take their most popular blog titles as inspiration and create your own.
Don’t think too hard about this step. The goal is to have a lot of ideas. You can write whatever you want, do some research, and then edit the draft with your audience.
This is the most important part of blogging. It should be 25%. Set a timer, and get started!
These headlines will grab your attention, and you’ll be compelled to click on the next post.
A headline should include a number. People love lists, especially those that are secret. They are easy to understand, and the title of this article indicates that one of the items on their list is particularly important.
Although it may not be your brand’s style to use more colorful language, the success of this headline is due to how simple and deliberate it is.
Because it sparks curiosity, there’s a good chance that you will see the article. Vice does an excellent job creating easily clickable headlines.
Although you may have an opposing view, the headline encourages readers to click through. You want to find the “right” way.
This BuzzSumo article is essential reading if you want to learn more about writing compelling headlines.
The Hook & Photo
If they have read your headline, this is their second chance to grab their attention.
It should be concise and punchy. Readers should understand what you are talking about and follow your article.
This is where you want the reader to be intrigued. Be interesting but don’t give too much information. They will not be able to stop reading the page.
Next, an image. People like photos, so let them have what they want. Avoid stock photos and credit the photographer if using other people’s work.
Your topic should be the image. The image should also be funny, sentimental, or provocative.
Mark Manson’s blog has a great example of both a hook and an image. It is called “Stop Trying to Be Happy” and contains a great headline.
Here is his hook:
These first two sentences are thoughtful and abrasive. They stir enough emotion to make it worth your while to continue reading. This hook is a winner.
Mark then follows up with a great picture.
This is a great way to keep readers interested – most people will recognize this scene from Scarface, and (this is essential) it’s pertinent to the topic at hand.
The Article’s Meat (Body).
Your blog post’s body should be broken down into sections. This will make it easier to digest and less overwhelming for readers.
Ensure that the format is compatible with readers reading your blog from a mobile device. There is a good chance that your audience is reading your blog from their mobile devices. 90% of all shared links to blogs on Twitter were from mobile devices.
Divide the main article into smaller sections. For example, if you write about Game of Thrones, you won’t simply discuss the entire series. Your article would be broken up by discussing main themes or characters or the highlights of each season.
This is where the goal lies: Make each section interesting so that the reader engages throughout the entire article.
These are some great ways to make your blog posts easier to read:
- Headlines and subheadlines
- Short paragraphs and line spacing
- Formatting: such as bold text and italics.
- Visuals include graphics, photos and screenshots, and embedded social media messages.
Summary
You should reiterate your main points to emphasize the importance of the topic. You explain to your readers why you wrote this article and any tips or tricks they can take with them. This is a great place to share your results or review your process/experience.
This article by Sharon Hurley Hall on email lists is a great example of a summary…
She discusses the results of pruning her email list and the traction she saw with this strategy.
Call-to-action
You’ll want to give your readers something at the end of your blog post writing process. This could be a helpful template for sharing your own experiences in the comments. Or, you can sign up for your newsletter to receive more updates.
Make sure to include your Twitter handle or contact information in the author biography so that readers can continue the conversation.
Wrap and What to Do Next
You can use a template to guide your blogging efforts. You can eliminate the guesswork and have the structure when you sit down to write your article.
Download the Planning Template for a QuickStart.
Writing is not for the faint-hearted. It requires patience, practice, and sometimes pain. It may be helpful to look at some templates for websites.
You can set yourself up for success with a pre-planned structure or template. Even if you only use a few of these tips, you will be more prepared to tackle the task of creating content people want to share.