Efficient steps to writing your next blog post in 12 steps

Take your writing from a jumble mess to a coherent, useful article that engages audiences.

Here are 12 handy steps to guide you.

• Goal

• Reframe

• Seek out data and examples

• Organize

• Write to one person

• Produce the ugly first draft

• Walkaway

• Rewrite

• Give it a great headline or title

• Have someone edit

• One final look for readability

• Publish. 1. Goal

What is your business goal? What are you trying to achieve? Anything you write, should be aligned with a larger (business or marketing) goal.

"I want to drive awareness of and interest in the launch of our incredibly cool new editing software because we want to sell more of it".

The key is to care about the purpose of what you are writing.

2. Reframe

Put your reader into it. Reframe the idea to relate it to your readers. Ask "so what?" and then answer, "Because .." until you've exhausted your ability to reach an answer. Example: "I want to drive awareness of and interest in the launch of our incredibly cool new editing software because we want to sell more of it" - "so what!" "Because my editor said so!' - "so what" etc.. you get the picture?

Express your reframed idea as a statement, then pin it to the top of your page to remind yourself where you are headed with your writing.

Building your business with the right prospects for your brand.

3. Seek out Data and examples:

What credible sources and data support your main idea? Can you cite examples? If you have relevant experience, use yourself as a source.

4. Organize:

What format or structure would best communicate your point: Opinionated blog post, explanatory how- to article, infographic, case study, etc?

5. Write to one person:

Imagine the one person you are helping with this piece of writing. And then write directly to that person (using you as opposed to people or they)

6. Produce the Ugly first draft:

The Ugly first draft (UFD) is basically where you write badly, as if no one will ever read it.

READ: Why Content Marketing is key to Success.

7. Walk away:

Put some distance between your first ugly draft and your second draft.

8. Rewrite:

Shape that mess into something your reader wants to read. Swap places with your reader as you do so.

9. Give it a great Headline or Title:

Respect the headline/title. Give it as much time as you did on the writing post.

10. Have someone edit it:

Ideally the person will have a strong grip on the grammar, usage, style and punctuation. Like a bona fide editor.

11. One final look for readability:

Does your piece look inviting, alluring, easy to scan? With short paragraphs and bold subheads? Are your lists numbered or bulleted?

READ: Instagram Story Ads explained.

12. Publish:

But not before answering one last question. "What now?"

Dont just leave your readers in suspension. Tell them what you want them to do next.

Conclusion:

I guarantee that if you put this into action tomorrow you’ll start reaping the benefits within months. It takes practice and consistency to create the best posts.

If you enjoyed this blog, read the next one - How to implement Offline Referral Marketing into your business.

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