Effective Blog Writing: Practical Tips & Techniques

Published on 31 July 2023 9 min read

Plan your blog post
Optimize for SEO
Write engaging headlines
Use visuals to enhance your post
Focus on providing value
Incorporate storytelling
Create a call to action
Edit and proofread your post
Promote your blog post
Evaluate and analyze your results

Welcome to the world of blogging! Whether you're starting your personal blog or looking for ways to enhance your existing one, the art of blog writing can seem daunting. Fear not, because this guide is here to help. We will walk through practical tips and techniques on how to use writing for a personal blog effectively. From planning your blog post to evaluating your results, this guide has got you covered!

Plan your blog post

Just like any successful project, a well-written blog starts with a solid plan. The idea of planning might seem boring compared to the excitement of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), but trust me — it's a step you don't want to skip. So, how can you plan your blog post effectively?

Choose a Topic: First things first, you need to decide what you want to write about. It's not just about picking a topic that interests you; it should also be something your readers will find valuable. Think about the questions your readers might have, the problems they're facing, or the topics they're passionate about. This could be anything from "how to use writing for a personal blog?" to "tips for baking the perfect chocolate chip cookies".
Research: Once you've chosen a topic, it's time to do some research. What are other bloggers saying about this topic? What unique perspective can you bring to the table? This will help you not just to understand your topic better, but also to make your blog post more informative and interesting.
Create an Outline: Now that you have a good understanding of your topic, it's time to create an outline. This is your roadmap to a well-structured blog post. Start with the main points you want to cover, then break each point down into sub-points or details. This will not only ensure you cover everything you want to say, but also make the actual writing process smoother and more efficient.

Planning might take a little extra time upfront, but it will save you a lot of time (and headaches) in the long run. So before you dive into writing, take a moment to plan your post — your readers (and your future self) will thank you!

Optimize for SEO

Once you've planned your blog post, it's time to think about SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. Now, don't panic if you're new to this term. SEO is simply a way to make your blog more visible to people who are searching for topics like yours on search engines like Google.

Use keywords: Keywords are the words and phrases that people type into search engines. By including relevant keywords in your blog post, you can help search engines understand what your post is about and show it to people who are interested in that topic. For example, if you're writing a post on how to use writing for a personal blog, you might want to include keywords like "blog writing tips," "writing for a personal blog," or "how to write a blog post."
Don't overstuff: While it's important to include keywords in your post, it's equally important not to overdo it. If you stuff your post with keywords, it can make your writing feel unnatural and can actually hurt your SEO. So, use keywords naturally and sparingly.
Use headings: Headings are not just great for making your post easier to read; they're also an excellent place to include your keywords. Plus, search engines pay extra attention to content under headings, so it can help boost your SEO.

Remember, SEO isn't about tricking search engines into showing your content. It's about making it easy for search engines to understand and value what you're writing. So, while it's important to optimize for SEO, don't forget to also focus on creating high-quality, valuable content for your readers.

Write Engaging Headlines

A catchy headline is a lot like a firm handshake - it gives a solid first impression. In the world of blogging, your headline is the first thing people see. It's the hook that pulls them in, or the barrier that pushes them away.

Make it compelling: Your headline should make the reader want to know more. For example, instead of a headline like "Tips for Writing a Blog", you might choose something more engaging like "Transform Your Personal Blog with These Proven Writing Techniques".
Keep it accurate: While it's important to draw readers in, it's also crucial not to mislead them. If your headline promises something your post doesn't deliver, readers will feel cheated, and they probably won't come back.
Include your keyword: If you're writing a post on how to use writing for a personal blog, including that keyword in your headline can help attract the right readers and boost your SEO.

Think of your headline as the movie trailer for your blog post. It should give a taste of what's inside, spark interest, and leave readers hungry for more. So, take your time to craft a headline that's compelling, accurate, and SEO-friendly. You'll be amazed at how much it can boost your blog's success.

Use Visuals to Enhance Your Post

We've all heard the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words". Well, when it comes to blog writing, this couldn't be more true. Using visuals in your blog post can add depth to your content, increase reader engagement and help to explain complex concepts.

Break up text: Large blocks of text can be intimidating and hard to digest. Sprinkling relevant images, infographics or videos throughout your post can give your readers' eyes a rest and keep them engaged with your content.
Illustrate your point: Sometimes, words just aren't enough. If you're explaining how to use writing for a personal blog, why not include a screenshot of a well-written blog post, or a graphic illustrating a key concept?
Boost SEO: Did you know that images can also help with SEO? By adding alt text that includes your keyword, you can improve your blog's visibility on search engines.

Remember, it's not just about filling your post with random images. The visuals you choose need to support your content, add value, and enhance the reader's understanding of the topic. If used correctly, visuals can take your blog post from good to great, so start experimenting!

Focus on Providing Value

Wondering how to use writing for a personal blog in a way that keeps readers coming back for more? The secret ingredient is value. Make it your mission to provide content that is useful, informative, and solves problems for your readers.

Solve problems: What problems do your readers face? How can your blog help solve these issues? For instance, if you're writing a blog about gardening, provide tips on how to care for specific plants, or how to build a compost pile.
Share knowledge: You've got knowledge your readers don't. Share it! If you're a fitness expert, write about effective workout routines or proper nutrition for exercise. Your personal experiences are a rich source of unique insights.
Make life easier: The best blog posts help readers do something faster, cheaper, or more efficiently. If you're a tech whiz, write about shortcuts and hacks you've discovered.

By providing value, you build trust with your readers. They'll see you as a reliable source of information, and they're more likely to return to your blog in the future. Plus, providing value can help with SEO—search engines tend to favor content that is informative and helpful to users.

Incorporate Storytelling

When you think about how to use writing for a personal blog, storytelling should be at the top of your list. People are hardwired to love stories—it's how we've shared information and bonded with each other since the dawn of time. By incorporating storytelling into your blog posts, you can engage your readers and make your content more memorable.

Share personal experiences: Your personal stories are unique to you and can add a level of authenticity to your blog. Overcame a challenge lately? Learned something new? Tell your readers about it!
Use anecdotes: Short, amusing or interesting stories about real incidents or people can make your point more effectively and in a more engaging way than dry facts or statistics.
Create narratives: A narrative is like a mini-story, with a beginning, middle, and end. It could be the story of how you discovered a new technique, or the journey of a project from idea to completion.

Remember, your stories don't have to be dramatic or earth-shattering. Even small, everyday stories can make your blog posts more engaging and relatable. And that's precisely what keeps your readers hooked—real, relatable content that feels like a chat with a friend, rather than a lecture.

Create a Call to Action

When considering how to use writing for a personal blog, a crucial element often overlooked is the call to action (CTA). CTAs are powerful tools that guide your readers towards a desired action. This could be anything from subscribing to your newsletter, purchasing a product, or even just leaving a comment.

Be clear and specific: A vague CTA will leave your readers unsure about what you want them to do. Instead of just saying "Subscribe", try "Subscribe to receive weekly blog updates straight to your inbox."
Make it prominent: Your CTA needs to grab attention. Don't bury it at the bottom of your post where it might be missed. Incorporate it throughout the text so it's hard for readers to overlook.
Keep it relevant: Your CTA should always be related to the content of your blog post. If you've written about a new book you've read, invite readers to purchase it or discuss their own thoughts on it.

Think of the CTA as the climax of your story — the point where you ask your readers to take action. It's the bridge between your blog post and the engagement you seek from your audience. So, don't be shy. If you've provided value, your readers will be more than happy to respond to your call.

Edit and Proofread Your Post

Let's be real—no one is perfect. Even the most experienced writers make mistakes. That's why editing and proofreading are so important when you're figuring out how to use writing for a personal blog.

Take a break: Right after writing a post, your brain can play tricks and make you read what you think you wrote, not what's actually there. Take a break before you start editing—whether it's a quick walk or a good night's sleep. You'll be amazed at what fresh eyes can find.
Read it out loud: This might sound a bit strange, but reading your text out loud can help you find awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and even typos. It's a simple trick that can make a big difference.
Use a spell-checker: Tools like Grammarly or the spell-check function in Word can catch basic spelling and grammar mistakes. But remember, they're not perfect, so you still need to do your own proofreading.

Editing and proofreading might not be the most exciting part of writing a blog post, but trust me—it's worth the time and effort. A blog post with clear, error-free writing shows your readers that you care about providing them with high-quality content. And who wouldn't want that?

Promote Your Blog Post

Writing a killer blog post is one thing, but getting people to read it? That's a whole different game. So, how do you use writing for a personal blog to draw readers in? Here are a few tricks:

Share on Social Media: If you've got it, flaunt it! Share your blog post on your social media accounts. It's a great way to let your followers know about your latest masterpiece. Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, each platform can help boost your blog's visibility.
Email Newsletters: If you have an email list, use it! Send out a newsletter highlighting your new post. This isn't spam—it's a personal invitation to your loyal subscribers to check out your latest content.
Collaborate: Team up with other bloggers or influencers in your niche. They can help promote your blog post to their audience, and you can return the favor. It's a win-win!

Promoting your blog post might feel like bragging, but it's not—it's marketing. And it's a vital part of learning how to use writing for a personal blog. So go ahead, show off your hard work. Your readers are waiting!

Evaluate and Analyze Your Results

Alright, you've written your blog post, optimized it for SEO, made it pretty with visuals, shared it all over your social media, and even sent it out in your email newsletter. Now, how do you know if all your hard work paid off? It's time to evaluate and analyze the results of your blog post.

Track Your Blog Traffic: Use website analytics tools, like Google Analytics, to track how many people visited your blog post. This will give you a clear picture of how your post is performing.
Monitor Social Media Engagement: Keep an eye on the likes, shares, comments, and retweets your post receives on social media. High engagement is a good sign that your content resonates with your audience.
Check Your Email Open Rates: If you sent out an email newsletter about your blog post, check to see how many people opened it. This is a good indicator of how interested your subscribers are in your content.

Remember, learning how to use writing for a personal blog isn't just about creating content—it's about understanding what works and what doesn't. Evaluating and analyzing your results will help you fine-tune your blogging strategy for future success. So don't be scared of the numbers, they're here to help you!

If you're eager to further improve your blog writing skills and learn how to tap into your personal experiences for inspiration, check out the workshop 'Writing From Memory - Part 1' by Charlie Brogan. This workshop will help you hone your writing techniques and guide you on how to effectively use your own memories to create engaging and authentic blog content.