Creating Posts that Ooze Awesomeness – Part 1
Let’s just do away with the negativity, shall we?
Your blog posts are great. They are fantastic. They are being read and consumed. Trust me.
But, everyone can improve. Everyone can do a bit better. I can, you can, we all can. Honestly, right? Yes.
Over the next 4 days I’m going to share with you some of the things that have personally helped me become a better blog writer, and my hope is that, come Tuesday morning (after you digest all 4 Parts), you’ll feel more confident and you’ll start blogging pure awesomeness.
So here we go.
Part 1 – Starting Out
The following are a few strategies that I think about all the time when creating blog posts. I’d love for you to share with me your strategies too!
- Keep it short. I have found that the most widely read posts are between 200-300 words in length. Just think about all the pressure that “disappears” if you stop trying to write the epic novel every time you sit down…!
- Get to the point. Quick. A small intro is sufficient, but make sure that it’s obvious what the point of the post is very quickly. Call it out with a bold or a heading style change. Make sure it’s a “duh, that’s it” thing.
- Don’t try to be a dictionary. Use simple and small words. You are not impressing anyone with your huge vocabulary.
- Be conversational. This isn’t Thesis Writing 101. You don’t need to use MLA styling or citation. It’s BLOGGING. It’s a conversation.
- Grammar. Pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It’s secondary. Seriously. I frequently publish with typos, misspellings, grammatical errors… Who cares. Stop editing the post like your life depended on it. Hit the “publish” button.
- Metaphors and Analogies are helpful. Let you sit with that for a second.
- Stories are awesome. People like stories. I like stories. Our lives are stories. Make sense?
- The Lord made the “Return” and “Enter” button for a reason. Use it. Long paragraphs are the bane of the blog-reader’s existence.
- Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.
Tomorrow, we go through Part 2 of the Ooze Awesomeness Blog Posting Program!
Great post. The only thing I might disagree with is your comment on grammar not mattering. I don't think grammar needs to be perfect, but rereading your post once or twice is always a good thing.
yeah. you're right. it does matter.but… the point was to publish. get it done.
Can't wait to find out how to be awesome! I needed something like this for "how to make your masculinity ooze awesomeness" when I was in high school.
( i will say i was glad to be doing a couple of those things already)
on a personal note, John, thanks for your challenges to be a better blogger/contributor to the online community. Your stuff has me thinking. (and moving)
nice, thanks for taking the pressure off
Wise advice, now if I was only wise enough to follow it.
… maybe… well… nevermind. (comment gone).
I can't wait to become more awesome. Excellent first post in the series!
http://twitter.com/innerstrife
http://innerstrife.com
love the links…! smart!
Hmmm. Big words. Well, I try to use words that are correct and make more sense. Sometimes that includes big words. I think I do need to work on being more conversational at times, though. Whadda you think?
I think you're already awesome.;)
sure. like there was any there anyways…
I am always stressing about how to get my blog read an consumed – it almost an obsession (so my Wife thinks)
I think grammar does matter when the person's actual JOB is writing – it can call into question their professional ability. My husband (http://crawlspace5.blogspot.com) is particular about that because he is a journalist by trade. But other than that, I think you're right – we do get caught up in polishing and proofing and neglect the heart of the blog – the content itself.
I think grammar does matter when the person's actual JOB is writing – it can call into question their professional ability. My husband (http://crawlspace5.blogspot.com) is particular about that because he is a journalist by trade. But other than that, I think you're right – we do get caught up in polishing and proofing and neglect the heart of the blog – the content itself.
I think grammar does matter when the person's actual JOB is writing – it can call into question their professional ability. My husband http://crawlspace5.blogspot.com) is particular about that because he is a journalist by trade. But other than that, I think you're right – we do get caught up in polishing and proofing and neglect the heart of the blog – the content itself.
I think grammar does matter when the person's actual JOB is writing – it can call into question their professional ability. My husband (at http://crawlspace5.blogspot.com ) is particular about that because he is a journalist by trade. But other than that, I think you're right – we do get caught up in polishing and proofing and neglect the heart of the blog – the content itself.
word. hehe. my point was to publish. i'm totally down with editing.