Being a blogger can be hard sometimes.
Yes it can, and if you're a blogger yourself, chances are that you have to deal with some problem or the other about your blogging habit. Posting regularly, maintaining good content and keeping your audience interested can take a lot of hard work. Friends and enemies will click on your blog every now and then, but not everyone will keep reading till the end. That's where we need to work on.
In this post, I'll try to walk you through some pretty basic tips on making your blog posts captivating enough to last your readers through to the end of your post.
That is all that I have for now.
Although I've gathered these points from experience and different sources, I admit that I do not follow several of them. *feels guilty*
I am sure that there several more ways in which one can be a better blogger. So if you think that I have missed anything, feel free to leave a comment below. Questions and criticism are also appreciated.
Thanks again for reading my post!
"I've made mistakes. And thanks to those mistakes, I've learned" ~Enrique Iglesias.
Yes it can, and if you're a blogger yourself, chances are that you have to deal with some problem or the other about your blogging habit. Posting regularly, maintaining good content and keeping your audience interested can take a lot of hard work. Friends and enemies will click on your blog every now and then, but not everyone will keep reading till the end. That's where we need to work on.
In this post, I'll try to walk you through some pretty basic tips on making your blog posts captivating enough to last your readers through to the end of your post.
1. Give your post a good title
When people find your blog articles through facebook, twitter or any other social media, the only thing they will get to look at from outside is your post title.
This is why it is extremely important to come up with a good and interesting title for your blog's post. Even if you are blogging on a very boring topic, if you can come up with an eye catching title, you might get those extra viewers. On the other hand, even if your topic is fascinating enough, a lame title can ward of any potential readers as well.
Be creative. A good title ensures that people atleast check your post out. Making them read till the end is the next issue.
When people find your blog articles through facebook, twitter or any other social media, the only thing they will get to look at from outside is your post title.
This is why it is extremely important to come up with a good and interesting title for your blog's post. Even if you are blogging on a very boring topic, if you can come up with an eye catching title, you might get those extra viewers. On the other hand, even if your topic is fascinating enough, a lame title can ward of any potential readers as well.
Be creative. A good title ensures that people atleast check your post out. Making them read till the end is the next issue.
2. Use simple English and readable grammar.
Although I am not much of a Grammar Nazi (my friends however would disagree), I put great emphasis on this point. Your audience is going to consist of people from all walks of life. Make sure that they all find your language intelligible. Although I would generally advise unrestrained use of your vocabulary, complicated or hard words should be used only rarely.
Your grammar must be perfect (Unless the context demands otherwise). Even a simple typo or a slip in your grammar can make your post look very unprofessional.
Make your sentences as short as possible. It helps the reader grasp your points quickly without having to drag through a marathon of different perspectives. If you find that you have typed a long sentence, try to rephrase it again to the best of your ability.
Although I am not much of a Grammar Nazi (my friends however would disagree), I put great emphasis on this point. Your audience is going to consist of people from all walks of life. Make sure that they all find your language intelligible. Although I would generally advise unrestrained use of your vocabulary, complicated or hard words should be used only rarely.
Your grammar must be perfect (Unless the context demands otherwise). Even a simple typo or a slip in your grammar can make your post look very unprofessional.
Make your sentences as short as possible. It helps the reader grasp your points quickly without having to drag through a marathon of different perspectives. If you find that you have typed a long sentence, try to rephrase it again to the best of your ability.
3. Stay on topic
When a reader clicks on your post, he expects to read about the topic presented by the title. It is up to you to make your post live up to that expectation. Avoid straying away from the confines of your topic. See to it that everything you type has at least a clear direct or indirect connection to the topic.
If you find it absolutely necessary to convey something that is not strictly relevant, separate out the irrelevant content onto another webpage, and briefly mention about it as a hyperlink on your post.
For example : To see an irrelevant meme, click here.
When a reader clicks on your post, he expects to read about the topic presented by the title. It is up to you to make your post live up to that expectation. Avoid straying away from the confines of your topic. See to it that everything you type has at least a clear direct or indirect connection to the topic.
If you find it absolutely necessary to convey something that is not strictly relevant, separate out the irrelevant content onto another webpage, and briefly mention about it as a hyperlink on your post.
For example : To see an irrelevant meme, click here.
4. Do your research
Make yourself familiar with the topic that you are going to write on. It helps not only by avoiding factual errors, but also in giving you additional material to write upon. Any fact or detail outlined in your post must be as accurate as possible. Moreover, facts should be presented in such a manner that they can be easily looked up and verified by the reader.
However, if your post is about your own thoughts, about an event that you witnessed, your personal views on a subject or recounting a memory, you do not need to research. Just be sure that you know what you are typing.
Make yourself familiar with the topic that you are going to write on. It helps not only by avoiding factual errors, but also in giving you additional material to write upon. Any fact or detail outlined in your post must be as accurate as possible. Moreover, facts should be presented in such a manner that they can be easily looked up and verified by the reader.
However, if your post is about your own thoughts, about an event that you witnessed, your personal views on a subject or recounting a memory, you do not need to research. Just be sure that you know what you are typing.
5. Throw in some colors and images
A person can read black text on white for only so long. This isn't your 3 hour college lecture. Make your post more bright by separating sections, using different colors, making titles/subtitles bold, etc.
Apart from formatting text, add in a few images as well. It really helps.
Remember, it is your job to keep your viewers entertained.
A person can read black text on white for only so long. This isn't your 3 hour college lecture. Make your post more bright by separating sections, using different colors, making titles/subtitles bold, etc.
Apart from formatting text, add in a few images as well. It really helps.
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| Never leave a cat alone with a toiler paper roll. |
Remember, it is your job to keep your viewers entertained.
6. Invite public opinion
User interaction does not end with your blog post. Continue the discussion by asking your readers to comment on your post if they have any questions or want to add to your post. This makes your audience feel like they have the opportunity to be part of your blog. Allow them to contribute to your thoughts.
You must make sure however, that your blog application supports comments and has them enabled. They are integrated with most blog applications by default so you need not worry. Blogspot has a neat feature where it combines blog comments with your Google Plus post. If you want additional features like that, you may have to tweak through some settings.
There isn't much need to respond to every comment that your post receives. You will find that a lot of bloggers don't respond to comments at all. You should however answer any question that you think is important, or address any other issue from someone's comment to make things clear.
User interaction does not end with your blog post. Continue the discussion by asking your readers to comment on your post if they have any questions or want to add to your post. This makes your audience feel like they have the opportunity to be part of your blog. Allow them to contribute to your thoughts.
You must make sure however, that your blog application supports comments and has them enabled. They are integrated with most blog applications by default so you need not worry. Blogspot has a neat feature where it combines blog comments with your Google Plus post. If you want additional features like that, you may have to tweak through some settings.
There isn't much need to respond to every comment that your post receives. You will find that a lot of bloggers don't respond to comments at all. You should however answer any question that you think is important, or address any other issue from someone's comment to make things clear.
7. Index your posts and use a good range of words
On the long run, most of your views are going to come from search engines. These search engines like Google and Bing will search your post and show up on search results only if your post contains words or indexes that match the search string.
It is extremely beneficial to use a wide range of words in your posts to expand your chances of showing up on search results. Using synonyms and framing sentences in different ways can help you cast a larger net to attract viewers. To make your job easier, a lot of blog applications allow you to place labels, indexes, or tags on your post for that reason.
You never know when a person out there needs exactly what you've written.
On the long run, most of your views are going to come from search engines. These search engines like Google and Bing will search your post and show up on search results only if your post contains words or indexes that match the search string.
It is extremely beneficial to use a wide range of words in your posts to expand your chances of showing up on search results. Using synonyms and framing sentences in different ways can help you cast a larger net to attract viewers. To make your job easier, a lot of blog applications allow you to place labels, indexes, or tags on your post for that reason.
You never know when a person out there needs exactly what you've written.
8. Post regularly while exploring new content and different styles
Don't give up if your blog does not take off at first. It's all about practice and being creative. Even if you're not a very good writer, blogging regularly can increase the quality of your posts over time. It doesn't really matter how often you post, as long you are regular. Whether you post once a week or once a month is up to your personal preference.
Try different styles every time you post. That way, you can avoid your regular viewers from finding your posts monotonous. Experimenting with different styles of writing can also help you become a better writer. You can write from first person perspective in one post, then switch to a descriptive narration in the next, and maybe also try writing your posts in the form of a tutorial and so forth.
Post about various different subjects to keep your blogging habit going. Maintaining different content in your posts can teach you how to appropriately handle various contexts.
Don't forget to review your posts once in a while and edit those parts that you think you can make better.
Don't give up if your blog does not take off at first. It's all about practice and being creative. Even if you're not a very good writer, blogging regularly can increase the quality of your posts over time. It doesn't really matter how often you post, as long you are regular. Whether you post once a week or once a month is up to your personal preference.
Try different styles every time you post. That way, you can avoid your regular viewers from finding your posts monotonous. Experimenting with different styles of writing can also help you become a better writer. You can write from first person perspective in one post, then switch to a descriptive narration in the next, and maybe also try writing your posts in the form of a tutorial and so forth.
Post about various different subjects to keep your blogging habit going. Maintaining different content in your posts can teach you how to appropriately handle various contexts.
Don't forget to review your posts once in a while and edit those parts that you think you can make better.
9. Minimize the distracting atmosphere around your posts
Your blog's interface has several things in it. Apart from the post itself, you will usually have a blog header, a followers section, a view counter, a small section for sharing to social networks, your blog archive, a comments section, etc.
All these must be efficiently positioned so that your viewers do not get distracted.
Your blog's background image can be interesting, but not very flashy. Placing ads in your blog is fine if you require it, but try to not dominate your page with them. The smaller and lesser the ads, the better.
If you are familiar enough with HTML and CSS, you can even try to position your blog's elements manually by yourself. If not, you can always use your blog applications's interface editor (if available).
Your blog's interface has several things in it. Apart from the post itself, you will usually have a blog header, a followers section, a view counter, a small section for sharing to social networks, your blog archive, a comments section, etc.
All these must be efficiently positioned so that your viewers do not get distracted.
Your blog's background image can be interesting, but not very flashy. Placing ads in your blog is fine if you require it, but try to not dominate your page with them. The smaller and lesser the ads, the better.
If you are familiar enough with HTML and CSS, you can even try to position your blog's elements manually by yourself. If not, you can always use your blog applications's interface editor (if available).
That is all that I have for now.
Although I've gathered these points from experience and different sources, I admit that I do not follow several of them. *feels guilty*
I am sure that there several more ways in which one can be a better blogger. So if you think that I have missed anything, feel free to leave a comment below. Questions and criticism are also appreciated.
Thanks again for reading my post!
"I've made mistakes. And thanks to those mistakes, I've learned" ~Enrique Iglesias.
