Writing a Top 10 Blog Post – 10 Steps

Writing a Top 10 Blog Post

For new bloggers, sitting down to write a blog post can seem overwhelming. Being a new blogger myself, I know just how difficult it can be. I recently came across a very helpful post on contentmasteryguide.com called 10 Steps to a Top 10 Blog Post by Linda Dessau.  She suggests using a structure for writing a blog post, so that new or newly stuck bloggers have somewhere to start, and a top 10 list is one of the best.

I’d like to share these 10 steps for writing a top 10 article as a blog post:

1. Define your audience

Think about the ONE ideal reader you are writing your article for. What problems will you solve for this person?

2. Start with the title

Use a title that will grab this person’s attention.  For example:

Top 10 Ways to

Top 10 Rules

Top 10 Mistakes

Top 10 Signs

Top 10 Symptoms of

3. Open the floodgates

Brainstorm and write without censoring yourself to see how many ideas you can generate.

4. Select the best

Go through your notes and choose the 10 tips you find the strongest. It’s okay if there aren’t 10, as top 5 and top 7 lists also work well.

5. Revise for consistency

All list item titles should be around the same length and style, and only focus on one point. They should be short sentences or headings.

6. Provide more information

Expand on these points to give the reader more information. Try to be consistent in terms of the length and format of each item.

7. Introduce Your Article

Answer these two questions: What problem are you solving for the reader? What impact might this problem be having?

8. Conclude Your Article

Sum up what you’ve delivered and point out why it is important.

9. Edit and proofread your article

Step away from your writing for hours or even days. When you come back you can be more objective.  Read your article out loud to check for any confusing ideas or missing words.

10. Publish and promote

Post your blog post to your website and immediately send the link out through your social media feeds. Follow up with additional posts on social media during the week.

Following this simple 10 step process can help ignite your creativity if you’re stuck in a blogging rut. And if your article helps someone with an important problem, it can open the door to new readers, referrals, leads, and business. Now get writing your top 10 blog post!

Jaclyn Bickerton, Social Media, Raven5 Ltd, Oakville & Toronto Ontario, May 2013

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