When we think about blog posts, we think of it as a way to share our experiences and our expertise, that is until you have that blank post before you and you have no idea how to start or what part of your experiences to write about. First off; relax, you can do this. Here are some key tips to help you write blog posts that can strengthen your reputation, expand your network and give you a way to express what your business passion is all about.

So first off let’s get the elephant out of the room and say simply, give the readers what they want. I know that may be cliche but satisfied readers are more likely to take action in a business capacity or sharing your content if they like what they read. I don’t mean leave the stuff you want to write about completely, but write is so that the readers won’t have any other choice then to share.
1. Set your goals
This may sound taxing but all it really means is to make sure your blog content must align with your broader goals; you must be able to resonate with your audience. So when writing a new blog, try thinking who your target audience is in this piece, what will the piece achieve, what do you want the readers to do after reading the blog. When thinking of the best way to write a blog post, getting the readers to communicate on a deeper level should always be on the forefront.

2. Research your topic
Type in keywords that a potential reader might use and see what is out there. Getting to know what others have written about your topic is key. Try writing something new and use keywords that readers might use to better the reach of your audience.

3. Plan your piece
Daunting as it sounds, it is better to plan what to write, then to just go start typing without a plan in mind because this can lead to repeating topics, going off topic, leaving your reader confused and wanting. Do not skip this step or you might regret it later on. So when doing the planning here is what your blog must consist of
-Introduction: What would make you want to read about this topic? Rather not go into too much detail at this point, just write a few key things as an introduction.
-Body: Here is where you can explore what your title and introduction promised. You can elaborate on your topic of choice, keeping in mind to divide the different aspects of your blog into subheadings and keeping clear on each part of the blog. If the different parts do not each have a strong point the blog might end up reading a little wishy washy and watered down, losing your readers interest.
– Conclusion: Don’t get more into things or make the ending too long, it should just reinforce what your key points in the blog was about. Try putting a call-to-action in the conclusion. It might give it more kick as they say.

4. Rough Draft
It might sound like a waste of time but writing your blog and then editing it is the best way to go. It gives you a change to avoid that little nagging voice that creeps up after you have already posted the blog saying, “I should have said”, “That was not the right way to say”, “I chose the wrong title”, etc. It also gives us a chance to see out of a reader’s point of view, viewing it as if you were a reader. Editing therefore  is a good way to keep all the things you would want to read and rethink or remove what you might not want in the blog post before you post it. Refine the content to give the best possible blog with relevant information that readers will want to share.

5. Add images
Images are a great way to get your blog post noticed, it also gives you a little creative freedom. It has to be visual and compelling. This will also help with the blog’s SEO. Original images are also a way to boost your search rankings.

6. Optimize the blog post for SEO
If you think you have a great blog that your target audience will love, optimize the blog for SEO. Most search engines look for what a reader’s audience will look for in a blog, easy-to-read-text that answers the readers’ questions in-depth. Take a little time and read up on what SEO’s look for in a blog post.

7. Wrapping up
Keep track of your post by looking at shares, likes, comments etc. that way you will know if what you wrote resounded with your target audience. Writing a blog is not always easy but with the right structure and research it is easier to do. Key is to give the readers what they want because a happy reader shares what they read and keeps reading the blog posts that follow. Keeping reader’s happy helps to grow your following and spread the word and will expand your reach and send signals to the search engines that you’re a trusted resource, improving your ability to rank, and your subsequent visibility online.