Blogging Tips

Do You Have a Point?

Each blog post you write should make a single, unified point that stays with the reader afterwards. But sticking to the point is harder than it seems. We easily get distracted by our own thoughts as we write. Too often, the strong point we wanted to make became diluted because of undisciplined writing, and doesn’t have the impact we wish. Working against a checklist of tips can help you narrow your blog posts’ focus so that they each make a strong and memorable point.

Tips for Having a Point and Sticking to It

1. Determine your point in the first place. Spend time drafting it and revising it until it’s perfect, because this will affect the rest of the post.
2. Write concise headlines that encapsulate your point. Make your first sentence deliver the point right away.
3. Use proven structures for your writing, such as beginning/middle/end or the classic 5 W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, and why.
4. Do not just splat out your thoughts and hit Publish. Rewrite and edit for comprehensibility or continuity.
5. Do not write run-on sentences.
6. Keep your paragraphs short. Start each one with a topic sentence and make sure the rest of the sentences in the paragraph support the topic sentence.
7. Use headings to “chunk” your content visually and by topic.
8. Use bulleted or numbered lists to make your ideas more compact and orderly.
9. Avoid going off on tangents.
10. Live up to the promise you made to your readers in the headline.
11. End strongly: offer solutions, suggestions, and/or review what you wrote.
12. Only include pictures in your post that support or enhance what the post is about.
13. Only write about one topic in a post.
14. Only write posts that are related to your blog’s niche or mission.
15. Write your headline first.
16. If you’re using WordPress, write your “optional excerpt” before writing the post. This will help you narrow your focus and think concisely.
17. Write your main points or headings before writing the rest of the post. Make them succinct and reorder them to best deliver your main point.

My Final Point

You blog because you have something to say. Make sure you’re really saying it: use the tips above to help you formulate a strong point, stick to it, and close with a strong, actionable recommendation. Print this post out or bookmark it so you can reference it quickly when you’re writing for your blog.