1) FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER
Write the first sentence of your blog as if your future depends on it.
I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but it's true. Studies show 8/10 people will read your header but only 2/10 people will read on if your headline doesn't grab their attention. Seriously, we literally have a 10-second attention span when our reader will decide if we're interesting enough to keep reading.
Think about it. We live in a world where we're competing for people's time. So what are you going to offer that is worth someone trading their time for? That is the first question every blog writer must ask themselves.
When thinking of a topic and headline - Use a 4-E Checklist to decide if your article is going to Educate, Engage, Entertain or set yourself as the Expert in your article. Using this 4-E Checklist you are sure to not go down the "sales pitch" route that no-one wants to read.
Ok, once you've decided on a title and lead in next thing you need to do is our Step 2 which is - bring a human element to your writing.
2) BE HUMAN
Do your eyes glaze over when you think you're reading a press release? Most people do...because we are built to have a human connection. Readers do not want to be bored or waste time. We want to identify with something. We want to feel inspired, engaged, laugh, cry, think...we want to be HUMAN!
Mesh your knowledge of your audience with your message. Know your audience! Who are your writing to? How are you being helpful?
A great way to pull in readers is by opening up. Become a storyteller. Be honest, be funny, be emotional. It doesn't matter whether or not people have shared your exact experience. They’ll find something similar in their lives and identify with you.
For instance: One of our most popular blogs on the NOW blog site is "A Mistake I can't Undo" - I'm sure partly because of the title but also because the person writing it told their story and opened up. They were authentic in writing something they were close to.
After you have your storyline make sure you keep it going..
3) GRAB READERS AND DON’T LET GO
Make your first sentence dynamic and effective. They tripped across your blog, now get them to stop skimming and start reading.
Don't do long intros and don’t build up to anything. Hit them with your best shot first. Grab them and don't let go. Once they begin reading, keep them engaged so they’ll want a resolution.
However, this doesn’t mean they can’t stop at any time. You want the reader reach the end without making them feel like they’ve worked.
The entire experience should be smooth as thought and something worth remembering!
4) EFFECTIVE WRITING
Be clean and concise. Avoid poor grammar and misspelled words. #spellcheck
Have one clear focus you and your reader can hone in on. Look at an obstacle, or pain point, you and your readers are trying to get past. Write every word with that in mind and focus on engaging your reader through it.
Summarize, don’t weigh the reader down with jargon or digression.
Give web links to other blogs and in-depth articles. This does a few things. First it builds your SEO while supporting the tips, facts and information you are providing. Also, you will avoid information overload while making yourself an information hub, allowing readers to see you as an expert who provides information you’ve processed and approved.
Once you’re done, cut the fat. You can always trim. Here’s a tip: Make your final draft 10 percent shorter than your second or third draft. You may think every word you write is gold, but it’s not.
Add a Call to Action at the end. Tell readers what their next step should be. How can you continue the relationship correspondence you've started building?
5) CONTENT IS KING
Know your topic. People can tell when someone is "faking it'. If your credibility is gone - so is your audience.
Probably, you have training and experience. You’ve researched your subject. You’ve lived it. You’ve got great ideas. That’s the whole point. And now it’s time to share all this in a blog that will impact your readers.
You don’t need to hammer us with your resume’ to prove yourself. That’s going to turn people off. Let your experience and knowledge shine through. Mix in hands-on knowledge, fold in your educational background and sprinkle around facts to support your arguments. People will cling to you as an expert.
NOW WHAT?
Get writing.
The toughest part for many is the first step. An easy way to get your mind flowing is to write a quick outline, like four words that relate to the points you want to make.
Then, write a first draft. Rewrite. Trim it up. Send it out. Then, learn from the experience and get better.
Before you know it, you’ll be a blogger. Comment below with links to your blog. Let's connect and share ideas!
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