When it comes to creating a blog or writing a blog post there are plenty of important elements you need to practically create and distribute it.
However, way before you consider any functional information or content you might need, there are three absolutely essential components required.
No matter who I’m speaking to in relation to writing blogs I always start with these same three things:
1. Passion
2. Authenticity
3. Headline
There are a few more important elements that should be considered also – but these are for a later date (or blog):
4. Purpose & Goal
5. Writing Style
6. Audience
7. Call To Action
8. Distribution
9. Imagery….and more!
However, without passion, authenticity and a good headline there’s really no point going any further.
1. Passion
The absolute crux of any successful blog is the fact that the person writing it is usually absolutely obsessed with the subject matter. Readers can tell when there passion behind a blog post. They will know if it’s not something you really care about and this will affect how they interact with you, your blog or your brand.
One of the biggest problems in the blogging sphere is people writing about what they think their audience want to read, or worse still, trying to cater their blog to suit the PR world so that they can avail of event invitations and freebies.
There’s nothing wrong with having specific sections of your blog that cover these other elements but the main content needs to be something the audience can connect with you on a more personal and emotional level.
2. Authenticity
I cannot stress this enough. Being authentic has to be something you take very seriously in your blogging.
Staying true to yourself, your passions, your ethics and more will help your audience connect with you on a personal level – the same way they might with a friend or work colleague. This will encourage loyalty towards you, your blog or brand.
A big part of being authentic is being able to connect with your true passions in your blog. You and your blog don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to live up to the other bloggers you know, love or follow.
By being your true self you will find a wonderful unique selling point of your blog which, if you want to down the line, will help you monetise and commercialise in a way that works for you and your audience.
3. Headline
Let’s be honest, there’s no point crafting a perfectly written blog post full of passion for your subject and a beautiful sense of authenticity if your headline doesn’t convey any of this.
It’s important to really consider:
- What is contained in your blog that your audience will want to know?
- What types of headlines are they already consuming in similar blogs or via your competitors?
- What headline formulas are working for your audience?
There are a lot of headline generator tools out there but there’s also no shame in using some of the formulas you see everywhere by tailoring them to suit your blog post.
Examples include:
- The secret XXXX behind XXXX to XXXX
- The world needs more happy, here’s some…
- A XXXX in XX pictures
- Ways to XXXX
- XX questions XXX ask XXXX
- Reasons to XXXX
- Great ways to XXXX
- How to XXXX
- Reasons you should XXXX
- I XXXX but after watching this I XXXX
- She XXXX the result was XXXX
- Boost your XXXX by XXXX
- Here’s an amazing XXXX
- Try this XXXX to XXXX
- This XXXX explains why XXXX
- Why you should XXXX
- Can you really XXXX
- XX tips to XXXX
- What is XXXX
- The XX benefits of XXXX
- Natural ways to XXXX
- XX signs of XXXX
- XX symptoms of XXXX
- Best ways to XXXX
- What kind of XXXX
- Ideal for XXXX
- Why do XXXX
- Pictures that will make you XXXX
- The future of XXXX is here XXXX
- XX homemade tips / ideas / solutions
- Get rid of XXXX
- Beginners guide to XXXX
- The truth about XXXX
- The basics of XXXX
- What are XXXX
- Did you know XXXX
- Is this XXXXX
No matter what you do with your blog, don’t overthink it. Don’t forget you can amend, edit, rethink, refresh or unpublish at any time.
A published blog that you can improve is better than no blog at all!
Do you need help blogging for your business or reaching out to the press and media?
At Excalibur Press we have a team of over 12 publicists, content creators, copywriters, journalists and bloggers in a variety of specialisms writing blogs, website content, video, photography and more for clients on a daily basis.
If you would like to speak to a content creator or publicist or would like more information about our rates and process just call 07305354209