Semrush Hero Banner

How to Write a Blog Post That Gets Traffic

How to Write a Blog Post That Gets Traffic

It takes work to create a successful blog. You must be willing to put in the time and effort. A blog that gets traffic does not come overnight. The first step is to develop a blog that is easy to read, navigate, and attractive. Then, you must frequently post to attract readers.

Writing quality blog posts can be an enjoyable experience. However, getting traffic is a different story. You may have written many blog posts, but if nobody visits them, it doesn't matter. The trick is to write a blog post that will attract readers instead of just writing posts for the sake of it.

  1. Do you need help finding fresh ideas to write about on your blog?
  2. Do you think you are doing everything right but need to see traffic to your site?
  3. Have you ever tried to sell something or promote a product on your blog but have yet to get a response?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this guide is for you.

This guide will show you how to write a blog post that gets traffic and how to make money from your blog.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 1: Planning

Plan A Blog Post

Writing a blog post is a challenging task. It takes much time, research, and planning. It would be best if you did all of this before you even started writing the first word of your blog post. Start early to create an attractive, engaging, and successful blog post.

The first step to planning your blog post is to know your target audience. What type of audience will your blog post reach?

Will your blog post be for business or a hobby? Do you want to inform readers, entertain them, or both? Will your audience prefer an article that's short and sweet or an extended, detailed essay?

Before starting your first draft, decide what your primary purpose is. Are you writing to inform your readers, educate them, motivate them, or entertain them? Whatever your goal, your blog post's main point must be apparent from the beginning.

Your primary goal should determine the length and depth of your blog post. A quick, informative blog post will require less than 1,500 words and will take a little time to plan. A lengthy, in-depth, and well-written blog post can easily exceed 3,000 words, requiring more research, planning, and time.

Before starting your first draft, plan what you want your readers to know. What questions should they ask after reading your post? What information will you provide that they don't already know? What advice will you offer?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you'll be able to write a blog post that will help your readers, engage them, and entertain them.

Best Way to Start a Blog Post

Most bloggers start their blog posts in the morning or early afternoon. This is the ideal time to write a blog post, as it helps to maximise your productivity and focus. Studies show that writing in the morning yields the best results since your brain is fresher and more precise than in the evening.

Writing at a computer, however, is one of many ways to start a blog post. If you have an idea for a blog post, why not write it down immediately? Just remember to schedule your blog posts in your calendar.

You can also write your blog post in your free time. If you're doing it while you're watching TV or surfing the internet, it won't feel like work.

If you're stuck for ideas, check out these tips for finding inspiration:

  • Use Google to search your keywords to see if any results are relevant. If so, look for common themes and questions that your readers have.
  • Look for topics in the news or trending topics on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Write a list of topics that interest you. Look at your list, choose one, and write a summary.
  • Read blogs in your industry or niche to find a topic that interests you. If you're unfamiliar with the blogosphere, you can start by reading other popular blogs in your industry.
  • Ask your friends, family members, and colleagues for suggestions.
  • Look around your office or house. Think about the things in your home or office that could be a topic for a blog post.
  • Try writing a list of questions and then answering them in a blog post.

Choose a Topic That Interests You

Creativelive Business Blog

People tend to love reading what their peers are doing; if they see that you are writing about something that relates to them, you know that your readers will likely enjoy your posts too. But what is the best topic to write about?

Many of us struggle with writing for a blog. Writing is the first step in blogging, but it takes work. This is because your thoughts must be well-organised and coherent, and you should express your ideas so that your readers will be interested in learning more.

Choose a topic that interests you, but remember that your audience may need to share your passion. However, if you can write about something you're passionate about, your readers are also passionate about it. You can create a blog that is both informative and entertaining.

In addition, choosing a topic with revenue potential is a good idea. If you can monetise your blog, you'll earn more money. And this extra income is likely to help you pay off debts or save up for a new car.

So how can you find a topic with the potential for interest and revenue? The answer is simple: find out what your friends are doing.

If you're a musician or know people who are musicians, then the best topic for your blog would be music. Music lovers always search for new music and share it with their friends.

This is an excellent topic for your blog because you can make good money by writing about music. You could share reviews of the latest releases or interview famous musicians.

You could also focus on a particular genre of music, such as pop, blues, or jazz. This is a great way to make your blog unique because the topics that are popular at any given time are likely to change.

Another way to pick a popular topic for your blog is to look at the already popular blogs. It would be best if you also wrote about the topic you like most.

Do you love animals? You could write a blog about pets or dog grooming. People love to read blogs that cover topics they are interested in, and if you're passionate about dogs, you could start a successful blog.

Write an Outline For Your Post

Seo Blog Post Outline

The perfect outline for a blog post helps you write your content from beginning to end, ensuring everything is organised and makes sense. Writing an outline can help you think through the subject, the tone, and even how to structure your post, which can take a lot of the guesswork out of writing.

But there are other reasons you should create an outline for your next blog post. For starters, it's a great way to plan. You can get your writing done much faster if you've written down the outline for your post.

You can also use outlines to organise your thoughts and ideas before writing. This makes it easier to see which ideas to explore or leave out altogether.

What is the best way to write an outline?

In general, there are two types of outlines: general and specific.

A general outline is designed to show you the big picture of the post. This kind of outline is helpful when you're starting your content. It gives you a high-level idea of what the post will be about. You may write the first draft of your outline in a few sentences or bullet points. But you don't need to.

You can use any method you prefer. Some writers use bullet points or headings to capture the main points in a post. Others write out their entire outline on a sheet of paper. Either way, this should be a loose outline with no specific word count or the number of words.

A general outline is easy to write but not easy to follow and edit, especially if you need clarification on which points are essential. That's why it's good to have a general outline but only rely on it a little.

Once you've written your general outline, you can start planning the specifics of your post. This involves using a specific outline that covers the body of the post.

A specific outline is structured to show you precisely what you want to say, so it's easy to use later to guide your writing. In the same way, a general outline is a rough draft; a specific outline is a detailed blueprint.

Writing your specific outline is more like writing your actual post. The point of a specific outline is to break down the structure of your post into smaller, manageable pieces.

A specific outline is a roadmap to your post that makes it easier to focus and write in a coherent, logical manner.

As with a general outline, there are many ways to write a specific outline. You can use a spreadsheet, write out the key points on a piece of paper, or use a Word document.

Research your Audience

Do you know who your audience is when you write your blog posts? Do your research and understand your audience. How will you write the best content if you need to know where your audience is coming from? This is an essential aspect of the content marketing process.

Let's talk about the audience for this blog post. I want to show you that I am an audience expert. I've researched my audience and what they're looking for when they go online. I've ensured that I understand what drives them and keeps them engaged. I've done my homework.

The goal is to show you that this audience is accurate and that I care about them.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 2: Writing a Great Headline

Free Headline Analyzer

When it comes to writing headlines for a blog post, it all starts with a great headline.

A headline is the first thing people see when they land on your website. It tells them your blog post and what they can expect to read once they click through.

What makes a great headline? It needs to stand out from the competition and draw readers in. It must also accurately describe the content of your blog post. And lastly, it should tell people what they can expect from your blog post.

To get started, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. What is the goal of this blog post?
  2. What do I want people to know before clicking my blog post?
  3. What is the main point of my blog post?
  4. How will my blog post benefit my audience?
  5. What is the value of this blog post?
  6. What is unique and exciting about this blog post?
  7. Are there any risks or negatives that people need to be aware of?
  8. Is this blog post actionable or helpful?
  9. Does this blog post answer a question or solve a problem?
  10. When does this blog post apply?
  11. Is there an appropriate title for this blog post?
  12. What is the overall tone of this blog post?
  13. What does this blog post sound like?
  14. Do I have an ending that will encourage people to continue reading?
Related:  4 Tips to Grow a Small Business or Startup

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, you've got a solid idea for your headline.

But there's a more scientific way to write your headline, and it involves three things:

Think About The Topic

You've probably noticed that countless websites have a similar topic to yours. So it would be best to consider why your audience wants to read what you have to say. What is the difference between your blog post and all the others? What sets you apart?

For example, you may be in the business of helping women who are pregnant or planning a baby. But what makes your website different from the other mom blogs?

Similarly, how does your site stand out from the thousands of blogs that cover similar topics if your topic is about back pain?

Brainstorm Different Versions

Write down different versions of your headline. Write a more extended version. Write a shorter version. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers to help.

Ensure each version focuses on one specific element of your topic and answers the questions above. Try to develop 3-5 different headlines that best capture the essence of your blog post.

Start With the Most Important Idea

Once you've narrowed your options, start with the version that captures the most important idea in your blog post. This is the version that will most likely generate traffic and the one that people will remember.

Don't be afraid to make it catchy. Keep it short and direct, but don't get too wordy. If it works, keep it. If it doesn't, move on to the next.

It's OK to use a metaphor, a simile, or a personal anecdote to draw people in. But make sure your headline is accurate and relevant. Avoid using phrases such as “This is the best” or “I love this” in your headline.

The headline is the first thing people see on your site, so capturing their attention is critical. Think about how your headline can work, and then try it out.

Try these simple steps to write a great headline for a blog post, and you'll be on your way to writing better content that gets better results.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 3: The Writing Part

Blog Longform Content Long Vs Short

While many people can create blog posts, they often need more tools and strategies to create compelling content that will attract readers and bring them back for more.

A blog post is a piece of text with a specific purpose in mind. For example, an article about parenting could include the following elements:

  1. A title that sets the tone
  2. An introduction that explains the topic
  3. An outline with subheadings and bullet points
  4. The body that presents the facts and opinions, supported by references or citations
  5. The conclusion that reinforces the main idea and offers advice or solutions

To write a great blog post, start with a title that resonates with your readers and captures the piece's point. Once you've found your focus, you can decide whether to offer a solution or share a fact or opinion. Your first step is always to answer this question: Why should someone care about this subject?

Once you've determined your main point, you need to decide what information is essential to convey. Remember that you are writing for a target audience, so you'll need to choose the right writing style to resonate with them. You should be able to recognise the types of articles that resonate most with your readers and those that fall flat.

Write as you would speak. Your blog post should have structure and flow, so you need to keep the following elements in mind:

  • Readability
  • Audience
  • Flow

Readability refers to the ease with which your reader can understand your content. Do your paragraphs seem long and challenging to read? If so, consider breaking them down into shorter sentences. Avoid long-winded words, and use short sentences that are easy to read.

You can improve your readability by using simple sentences, clear subheads, and bullet points. Your bullet points should be in bold type and spaced far apart, containing a single idea.

Audience refers to the specific group of people that you're targeting with your content. You can write about your mom, neighbour, boss, or the man who delivers your mail. Think about how your content will resonate with them. Does your content resonate with all of these different groups?

Flow refers to the natural progression of your content, such as your outline. Are there sections that feel rushed or out of place? Do you feel that a particular section is too large while another feels incomplete?

After determining the main points of your content, it's time to move on to the body. If you have more than two paragraphs, consider adding an outline with subheadings and bullets. If a paragraph lacks substance, think about moving it to the end.

Before submitting your post, check to ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are perfect. Finally, consider including some images to make your content more visually appealing.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 4: Using Visuals Effectively

Why Visual Content Marketing Important

Blog posts require visuals. While you should always make sure your images look good, you should also make sure they're relevant to your blog post. For example, if you're writing a post about a specific product or service, you should only include products or services related to your topic.

To avoid using stock images, which are often out-of-context or generic, you can take photos of products or services relevant to your subject. You could also take photos of your belongings, such as a new pair of shoes or a nail polish bottle.

When taking photos, it's best to avoid angles that distort your subject or make it look smaller or larger than it is. Instead, consider a low-angle shot or wide-angle lens showing the entire item. When choosing an angle, pay attention to what you're trying to accomplish. For example, if you're writing about kitchen appliances, a photo of an appliance in the middle of the room won't serve you well. You'll need a photo highlighting the appliance's size, like a close-up of the controls.

There are many ways to take pictures for your blog. It's essential to think about your end goal before selecting a method. Are you writing a post about your new favourite nail polish or favourite shirt? If so, try to find a picture that allows you to highlight the features and benefits of your item.

If you're writing about a product, you can purchase it online and send it to your house. Or, if you're writing a travel post, you can send someone to the location you want to share.

Whatever you do, be sure to take high-quality photos. High-quality cameras, lenses, and lighting will yield better results and help you achieve your goals.

Images Make Complex Topics More Easily Understandable

Studies show that images are a great way to make complex topics easier to understand, especially when you need to explain something quickly.

Humans have an innate tendency to simplify complex concepts. In a short time, people tend to interpret more quickly than they would verbally, using an image to do so.

In a 2013 study published in the journal Cognitive Science, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder tested the effects of visual versus verbal information on memory. The results showed that people remember and recall verbal information far better than visual information.

People are also more likely to remember images than they are to remember words. This is true for many kinds of information, including statistics, news stories, and scientific facts.

In a study published in Cognitive Psychology, researchers looked into how images affect comprehension. The results revealed that people who read text while also viewing an accompanying image were much more likely to accurately comprehend the text than those who read the text alone.

For people who don't like to read or who don't have the time to do so, visuals can help them to understand and learn more.

How to Write a Blog Post, Step 5: The Editing Part

Grammarly Tool For Freelancing

You can't edit a blog post in the same way you would a Facebook status or Instagram photo.

As a general rule, the blog posts you publish should always follow the same structure and formatting, which means they'll be more effective when viewed by readers. The first step is to plan your post carefully.

If you need to edit a post to make it more coherent, start by ensuring the content is complete before moving on to other aspects of the post. If you need clarification on a sentence, ask whether it conveys your message.

Then, a text editor formatted the post to match the WordPress theme. You'll be able to preview how it will look in a browser without publishing it.

Next, add images, videos, and links to further information. This gives your post context and provides a reason for readers to return to your page.

You can also consider adding tags, categories, and author biography. You can use tags to organise similar posts or topics, and the author biography includes the date your post was published.

Finally, add relevant keywords to your title and description so that the right audience can find your post.

Keep Sentences Short and Paragraphs Shorter

When you write a blog post, you must include plenty of content to stand out in search engines. However, a large amount of content can lead to long paragraphs that need to be clarified for readers. So how can you write shorter posts that still convey your message?

Shortening the length of your sentences can increase the speed of your writing. While shorter sentences require more effort to compose, they're a great way to add to the readability of your post. When you write longer sentences, readers tend to pause before reading them. This breaks up your sentence into smaller parts and slows down the pace of your reading.

Shorter paragraphs allow you to pack in more information, keeping readers engaged and ensuring that they'll read every word. Creating long paragraphs makes it easy to lose readers' interest. When you write short paragraphs, skipping over information that doesn't directly relate to the topic is much more challenging.

While short sentences and paragraphs can help you avoid lengthy paragraphs, please take them within a reasonable length. Make sure you're conveying the message you would if you wrote a whole paragraph.

Wrapping Up

When I first started blogging, I needed help getting traffic. It was frustrating because I wanted to make money from my blog, but I needed to get somewhere.

It's true; many people will only read a post if it's written to their liking. But it would help if you still strived to write a compelling and engaging post.

You'll get some traffic and start building a following if you can do that. This is the main reason why I suggest focusing on your writing.

If you can master that skill, then you can do anything. And that includes earning money from your blog.

Want to learn more about writing your blog posts? Check out this article!

FAQs

How do you start a blog?

It's straightforward to start a blog. First, you'll need a domain name. Second, you'll need a platform. There are many platforms available. Third, you'll need to figure out what content you want to write about.

How do you get traffic to your blog?

There are many ways to get traffic to your blog. One way is to post a link to your blog on your social media accounts. Another way is to get people to visit your blog through search engines like Google or Bing.

What's the best blogging platform?

There are many blogging platforms available. Some of the most popular include WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, and Medium.

How do you get people to read your blog?

You can do much to get people to read your blog. For example, you can offer freebies. People love free stuff. You can also write engaging posts.

What's the best way to write for SEO?

It would be best to write for SEO by focusing on the keywords you want to rank for. For example, if you're writing about dog training, you can write about the keyword “dog training.” Also, you can use the words “dog,” “training,” and “dogs” in your title.

How do I write a blog post that is useful to my audience and has a link to my site?

Writing a helpful blog post for your audience is essential. For example, if you're writing a post about how to change a tire, it's crucial to write the post so that it's helpful to your audience. You can also ensure that your blog post has a link to your site.

How can I make money from blogging?

Making money from blogging is possible, but it can take much work. First, you need to have a large following. Once you have a large following, you can monetise your blog. Many ways to monetise a blog include affiliate marketing, paid to advertise, and selling products or services.

Photo of author

Stuart Crawford

Stuart Crawford is an award-winning creative director and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience building memorable and influential brands. As Creative Director at Inkbot Design, a leading branding agency, Stuart oversees all creative projects and ensures each client receives a customised brand strategy and visual identity.

Need help Building your Brand?

Let’s talk about your logo, branding or web development project today! Get in touch for a free quote.

Leave a Comment

Trusted by Businesses Worldwide to Create Impactful and Memorable Brands

At Inkbot Design, we understand the importance of brand identity in today's competitive marketplace. With our team of experienced designers and marketing professionals, we are dedicated to creating custom solutions that elevate your brand and leave a lasting impression on your target audience.