{"id":7613,"date":"2021-06-01T20:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T20:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/?p=7613"},"modified":"2024-06-12T14:13:50","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T14:13:50","slug":"how-to-write-a-blog-post","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-blog-post\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Blog Post: From Daunting to Doable"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Do you struggle with the whole process of writing a blog post? Find it a bit daunting? Try this simple <strong>\u201cWhat, Why, How\u201d<\/strong> method to make it not only doable but worth your effort and time. Even part-time bloggers can learn how to get \u201c<strong>unstuck<\/strong>\u201d with these 3 easy steps.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#planning\">Blog Planning<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Figure out WHAT you want to write about.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#passion\">Blogging Passion &amp; Purpose<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Understand WHY you chose that topic.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#polishing\">Blog Polishing<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Perfect HOW you explain it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"planning\">STEP 1) Blog Planning<\/h2>\n<p>(<strong>Figure out WHAT you want to write about.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight\"><strong>Planning<\/strong> \u2013 the process of thinking about what you need to do to achieve your goal. It helps to think about how to complete a task before you start.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9918\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/blog-planning-step-1.gif\" alt=\"Step 1 - Blog Planning. Figure out what you want to write about.\" width=\"600\" height=\"417\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>This step can take as little as a minute \u2014 or as long as an hour \u2014 to complete.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Planning is all about the idea. <\/strong>Your idea could pop into your head while you\u2019re surfing the web, walking your dog, or staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night. It may feel daunting at this point because it\u2019s just an idea.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow can I turn that simple thought into something more?\u201d You might be wondering.<\/p>\n<p>Start by jotting it down.<\/p>\n<p>Grab a pen and piece of paper. Write some notes about it. <strong>Let the brainstorming begin.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Guess what? Now it\u2019s more than an idea.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Add some bullet points. Doodle as you think.<\/li>\n<li>If you get stuck, go online and do a little research. Explore. Get inspired.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Let this step be messy. Don\u2019t be hard on yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9951\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/blog-writing-ideas-doodle.gif\" alt=\"Blog writing ideas - bullet points, doodle, don't be hard on yourself.\" width=\"552\" height=\"337\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Your blog title begins to emerge.<\/h3>\n<p>Slowly but surely, a blog title will begin to emerge in your head.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Write it down.<\/li>\n<li>Then tweak it a bit and come up with a second title and maybe a third.<\/li>\n<li>Shorten them to 10 words or less.<\/li>\n<li>Be sure to include <a href=\"https:\/\/moz.com\/learn\/seo\/what-are-keywords\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">keywords<\/a> in your titles.\u00a0(Include words that people would type into a <strong>search engine<\/strong>, such as Google, if they were looking for an article like yours.)<\/li>\n<li>Pick the best one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Believe it or not, you\u2019ve made great progress already.<\/p>\n<h3>Next, drop your pen and grab your computer keyboard. You\u2019re moving UP to the next level.<\/h3>\n<p>Begin typing into a text editor or <strong>Word document<\/strong>. Your scribbles will evolve into phrases and possible subheadings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy did I bother with the <strong>pen and paper<\/strong> in the first place?\u201d You may ask.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A pen and paper are the easiest to grab. <\/strong>They\u2019re available just about anywhere you happen to be when that idea pops into your head. They\u2019re also less intimidating than a computer and keyboard. Use them as your starting point. Then move UP. You\u2019ll feel more confident when you open a Word document and have something to type into it already.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9956\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/blog-writing-computer-keyboard.gif\" alt=\"Blog Writing - Move up to a computer keyboard.\" width=\"552\" height=\"259\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Your ideas are beginning to take shape.<\/strong> You can grab a cup of coffee now and pat yourself on the back. When you come back to the computer, try going online to explore your topic a little more. More ideas are bound to come your way.<\/p>\n<p>Paste links in your Word document to other articles\/posts you may want to mention. Keep writing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Helpful Hint<\/strong> \u2013 Don\u2019t go to WordPress (CMS), or any other blog publishing program yet. It may slow you down right now.<\/p>\n<h3>Next, do a search engine check.<\/h3>\n<p>Take your title idea and <strong>\u201cGoogle\u201d<\/strong> it.\u00a0If you find the exact same blog post title online, tweak yours again. Come up with a <a href=\"https:\/\/bettermarketing.pub\/3-steps-to-a-unique-angle-for-your-story-96dfa2495fe7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unique angle for your blog topic<\/a>.\u00a0Your topic and title may end up changing a bit. That\u2019s not a bad thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With your blog title and rough ideas in hand, you can move on to Step 2.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"passion\" class=\"passion\">STEP 2) Blogging Passion &amp; Purpose<\/h2>\n<p>(<strong>Understand WHY You Chose that Topic.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t worry. This step is more of a gut check than anything else. Step 2 can be done in minutes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/blogging-passion-step-2.gif\" alt=\"Step 2 - Blogging Passion &amp; Purpose - Understand why you chose that topic.\" width=\"600\" height=\"417\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>To be passionate about a blog topic, you must actually care about it. You must be excited enough to take the time out of your busy day to organize your thoughts and write them down. <strong>You\u2019re not doing it just to drive traffic to your website.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Let the Words Spill Out.<\/h3>\n<p>Being passionate about something makes it so much easier to put it on paper or in an online document. When you\u2019re passionate, the words will begin to spill out. You will gain momentum. With a little practice, you\u2019ll also begin to develop a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.melyssagriffin.com\/develop-unique-blogging-voice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blogging voice<\/a>, instead of writing in a mechanical way.<\/p>\n<h3>Make it Useful to your Audience.<\/h3>\n<p>Your idea must also be useful to your readers. Inspire them, teach them something or entertain them if you can. Know who they are. <strong>Are you familiar with your audience?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you genuinely believe you have something worthwhile to say, then you can head to STEP 3.\u00a0Be sure to take a break first, though. You deserve it.<\/p>\n<p>Your coffee is probably cold now. Time for a refill.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"polishing\" class=\"polishing\">Step 3) Blog Polishing<\/h2>\n<p>(<strong>Perfect HOW You Explain It.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<p>When you polish your blog post, you will add structure to it. You\u2019ll throw in some subheadings, lists, images and links. You\u2019ll take that messy, unpolished gem of yours and fine-tune it until it flows easily. You\u2019re stepping UP to <strong>WordPress<\/strong>. I bet that feels good.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not very comfortable with the technical aspects of WordPress, read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/how-to-add-a-new-post-in-wordpress-and-utilize-all-the-features\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Add a New Post in WordPress and Utilize all the Features<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t let yourself get stuck here.<\/strong> You\u2019ve come too far.<\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight\"><strong>Polish<\/strong> \u2013 to improve a piece of writing by making slight changes to it before it\u2019s completely finished and ready to publish.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9922\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/blog-polishing-step-3.gif\" alt=\"Step 3 - Blog Polishing - Perfect how you explain it.\" width=\"600\" height=\"417\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>These 8 \u201c<strong>blog polishing<\/strong>\u201d steps will get you to the finish line.<\/p>\n<p>BLOG POST POLISHING\u00a0<\/p>\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li><strong>Organize your Word Document. <\/strong>Group your related ideas together. Add sub-headings, sections, and lists.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Move UP to WordPress.<\/strong> Copy everything and paste it into the blank post-editing screen. Save it as a <strong>Draft<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elaborate on your ideas.<\/strong> Be verbose. Add outbound links to other related blogs\/articles. Also, add internal links to other relevant posts\/pages that you\u2019ve written. Save it as a <strong>Draft<\/strong> again.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Add images.<\/strong> They will help with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/10-reader-friendly-website-tips\/\" data-type=\"post\">readability.<\/a> Add several images (not just one) to break up your content and draw your readers\u2019 eyes down the page. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/image-alt-tags-for-seo\/\">Give those images ALT tags<\/a> for SEO.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trim your blog post.<\/strong> Refine it. Simplify big words. Shorten long sentences and paragraphs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pamper your audience.<\/strong> Make sure your sententces sound right \u201c<strong>out loud.<\/strong>\u201d Use grease-slide words (<a href=\"https:\/\/writeonline.io\/blog\/bucket-brigade-copywriting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bucket brigade copywriting<\/a>) to create smooth transitions between your paragraphs and sentences. Add a generous amount of white space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Utilize online writing tools.<\/strong> Use <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hemingwayapp.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hemingway<\/a> for readability. Download a plugin such as <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-spell-check\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WP Spell Check<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Press the \u201cPublish\u201d button<\/strong>. If you\u2019re proud of your work, now\u2019s the time to publish your post. Don\u2019t second-guess yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"highlight\"><strong>Publish<\/strong> \u2013 The moment when you\u2019ve planned your blog post, poured your heart into it and polished it to the point where you feel you\u2019ve created something valuable. It\u2019s that moment when you push that button and sit back and smile.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9997\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/wordpress-publish-button.gif\" alt=\"Blog Writing - Press the WordPress Publish button.\" width=\"552\" height=\"282\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hopefully, this \u201c<strong>What, Why, How<\/strong>\u201d method will help you make that blog post idea more doable and less daunting.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t let yourself get stuck in your head.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t let <strong>WordPress<\/strong> intimidate you. You can do this.<\/p>\n<p>If you still need a little inspiration, check out these great blog examples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/meinmaine.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MeinMaine Blog<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 This Maine blog writer invites you to bring your kayak, pack a picnic lunch and learn more about a state known as \u201c<strong>Vacationland<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/peachonaleash.com\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Peach on a Leash<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Peach on a Leash\u00ae is a dog training company in Georgia.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/mellowed.com\/category\/health-wellness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mellowed<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Mellowed is a website designed to help users decrease stress in their lives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be sure to analyze their styles of writing, images, use of subheadings and white space. Do you sense their passion? If so, let them inspire you to write.<\/p>\n\n\n<!--more-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you struggle with the whole process of writing a blog post? Find it a bit daunting? Try this simple \u201cWhat, Why, How\u201d method to make it not only doable but worth your effort and time. Even part-time bloggers can learn how to get \u201cunstuck\u201d with these 3 easy steps. Blog Planning \u2013 Figure out<a href=\"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-blog-post\/\" class=\"read-more\">&nbsp; Continue Reading &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7615,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"close","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7613","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-small-business","8":"cat-3-id","9":"has_thumb"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7613"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7737,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7613\/revisions\/7737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crimsondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}