Take these simple steps to create exceptional blog content
Blogs make it so easy to add content to your website that it’s possible to publish a post before it’s really ready. On the other hand, such ease may also mean that your blog is more conversational and engaging than much of the highly polished brochure lingo featured on more traditional websites. So, how do know when your post is ready to publish?
Basic guidelines for creating exceptional blog content
Before I offer my suggestions, let’s clarify what I mean by “exceptional.” WordNet defines exceptional as, “far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree; surpassing what is common or usual or expected.” When I think of exceptional blog posts, I think of posts that are well crafted, clearly written, tell a compelling story, provide useful information, and are easy on the eyes). These are posts that I want to share with others, link to, comment on, and thank the author for. Below are my specific suggestions on creating your own exceptional blog content.
- Write about what your readers care about. This is the starting point. If your subject matter isn’t of interest to your audience, it makes no difference how well it’s written or how slick it looks.
- Write about what you care about. Passion stirs creativity that can lead to posts that are more compelling to read. This will help ensure that the process will be enjoyable for you as well.
- Use the tools of great writers. Yes, the dictionary, thesaurus, and grammar and punctuation guides are meant for bloggers too. Misspeled words, typ0s, and incorrect grammar looks bad (Yes, I cringed as I wrote that sentence. Yes, I desperately wanted to correct it before publication.)
- Read what you write aloud. Before clicking the “publish” button, print out a copy of your post (use your recycled paper, please) and read what you’ve written out loud. This can help you find errors, clarify when necessary, and assure that your text flows smoothly.
- Use another set of eyes. For posts of significant length or those that are particularly important or meaningful, ask another talented writer to review what you’ve written to ensure that it’s ready for public consumption. You might even consider hiring a copy editor to proof everything you publish if you’re blogging for your business.
- Pause before publishing. Many times, especially if intense emotion is fueling your writing, publishing right away may not allow you to produce the best work possible. Consider writing every post as a draft, giving yourself a day (or at least a few hours) between typing it and transmitting it to the wide world. You may not change a thing, yet at least you’ll have the chance to do so before your entire readership sees your work.
- Consider adding enhancements. A quote, graphic, and links to other people’s ideas, though optional, may make a good post a great one. Prior to publishing, take a look at your post in the preview mode to determine what might make it more visually appealing, readable, or valuable to your audience. Small changes like adding an ordered list (1, 2, 3) or an unordered list (like this one) or shifting some copy into italics or bold can polish off your post and bring it that sense of completion.
Other’s advice for anyone writing and publishing professional blogs
As I often do, I now share several links from other authors about how you can effectively write and publish content for your blog.
- 11 things to do before publishing your blog post from Weblog Tools Collection
- Ten practical posts about writing effectively for business
- Professional writing advice from the editors at Proof-Reading.com
- Liz Strauss’ pre-publishing checklist for creating search engine worthy blog content
- Top 10 blog writing tips (check the bonus at the end for the pre-publish reminders)
If you cultivated just one new pre-publishing blogging habit, what would it be?
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Speaking of exceptional writing and blogposts . . . this is a great example. I like the resource section at the end, most don’t do that. Thanks for including the prelaunch checklist as a resource.
Liz
Comment by Liz Strauss — July 11, 2007 @ 7:22 am
Thanks for the compliments Liz! There’s so much that’s already been written about, so I like to give my readers other perspectives so they can make the choices that are right for them. I look forward to meeting you at BlogHer in a few weeks. Peace.
Comment by Shonnie Lavender — July 11, 2007 @ 9:18 am
[…] that’s the way to get traffic. Though it could be if you’re doing what Char does - write great content. Which is why Darren picked up her […]
Pingback by Why Building Website Traffic Is About Content And Relationships - Dawud Miracle @ dmiracle.com - (formerly Healthy WebDesign) — July 11, 2007 @ 10:42 am
I found myself reading each point and thinking, “yes, yep, that’s a good one, uhuh”.
Superb article, Shonnie.
Comment by David Airey :: Creative Design :: — July 11, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Thats a good tip: write what you care about.
I find myself posting stuff on my blog that i dont have any interest in. I think its better to post stuff you care about, that way you dont let the interest from your side fade.
Comment by esvl — July 11, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
Dawud — Thank you for adding me into your latest awesome post!
David — Thank you for the praise. I’m glad the blogosphere brought us into the same orbit.
Esvl — I personally find that if I don’t have an interest, I won’t write and my readers will come to be frustrated by a lack of consistent, valuable content. So I definitely think having a passion for what you write is essential.
Comment by Shonnie Lavender — July 11, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
these are great pointers!
I especially love #1 and #2. Whenever I find myself at a loss, I go back to these two.
#4 is so important. My printer recently died and so I’m struggling a bit with my editing process.
gotta fix or get a new printer quick!
Comment by AgentSully — July 14, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
[…] gives us some often overlooked steps to create exceptional blog content. Follow her advice and you’ll be far ahead of most blog authors out there. Great post, […]
Pingback by Creative resources 16 July 2007 : David Airey :: Creative Design :: — July 15, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Thanks for stopping by AgentSully. I think in our electronic age it’s easy to forget the power of seeing something on paper versus the screen. Hope you’re printing perfectly very soon!
David, thank you for referencing my post on your blog. I feel like I’m among very esteemed company.
Comment by Shonnie Lavender — July 17, 2007 @ 10:49 am
thanks! I got a used one from craigslist and I’m thrilled!
Comment by AgentSully — July 18, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
[…] explain how to write solid content when so many others can do it better? That’s just the tip of the […]
Pingback by What, REALLY, is Search Engine Optimization? Has Mark gone crazy? - Bloggercamp — November 28, 2007 @ 8:40 am