What does a good blog post look like?

If you ponder ‘What does a good blog post look like?’, you’re not alone.  It’s not only intriguing to beginners, but also to those at all levels.  Even more experienced bloggers ask themselves that, reviewing the best practices from time to time.

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I’ve honed my blogging skills for 8 years and also share my experiences on my site.  My niche is self-improvement for bloggers and digital solopreneurs. 

Coming back to good blog posts, nothing is strict about it.  It’s mostly your creativity and originality.  In addition to that, there are proven best practices to embrace.

What makes an effective blog post can vary.  It depends on your style, approach, and writing voice.  It also depends on who your audience is.

I, for example, take a friendly approach.  I use a conversational tone, avoiding jargon.  I also don’t sound too familiar.

If you’re into B2B, your blog can be different.  Consider your style and writing voice.  Also, who your target audience is.

What makes a good blog post?

Generally, some components of a blog post tend to be more or less the same.  They’re common best practices, proven to work.  Fortunately, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

These include:

• Catchy headline
• Relevant intro
• Images with alt text 
• SEO (and AIO) optimization 
• Readability
• Text body structure
• Personality and EEAT
• Internal and external linking
• Conclusion with 1 relevant CTA

Catchy headline

Craft an amazing headline for all the gains they bring.  Bloggers need them, crucially.  They’re often what determines whether a reader chooses to access your article or not.

Avoid anything that’s clickbait.  Hone your headline crafting skills.  Use tools to brainstorm ideas, choosing the best option.

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Relevant intro

Start your content with a great introduction.  It puts the reader in the context.  They should see that it reflects the headline and is relevant.

I put myself into the shoes of my readers.  Doing so helps to better understand.  Take the opportunity to ask yourself if the intro paragraph is right.

Images with alt text

Include images to illustrate.  Some could be decorative, while others could be more educational.  Add alt text, without fail.

I often use a graphic design tool to support my image creation.  I can also use free stock photos.  However, if you’re a professional photographer, take advantage of your skills.

SEO (and AIO) optimization

Work towards better SEO and AIO.  If you’re wondering about finding affordable SEO tools, check my linked article.  Diversify your traffic sources, never depending on a limited option.

AIO is also crucial.  Work on both SEO and AIO, as far as possible.  Follow relevant best practices that industry leaders advocate.

Readability

Adopt readability best practices.  They also support a better visitor UX.  Make things easier and straightforward for your readers.

I enjoy lots of white spaces, for example.  A clutter-free article is welcoming.  Bullet points also break down content into easily digestible chunks.

Text body structure

Structure your articles mindfully.  Put yourself into the shoes of your readers.  Find my examples of work processes.

Having a process supports a better approach to blogging.  For example, I create article outlines to guide me beforehand.  Similarly, processes support working smarter.

Personality and EEAT

Don’t miss out on developing your EEAT.  Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness are your allies.  Show your personality and authenticity to stand out naturally.  Building trust online for the better.

What makes a blog successful can vary in different cases.  However, the listed best practices can support anyone.  Tailor them to your needs, making the most of them.

Internal and external linking

What makes an effective blog post includes adding internal as well as external links.  I link to my older articles, and also to trusted sources like Wikipedia when the topic calls for it.​

Relevance is key.  Direct readers to your relevant content.  Also cite reliable external sources whenever it helps.

Conclusion with CTA

Don’t leave your readers wondering what the end is.  Have a good conclusion, summarising the crucial point to take note of.  Include 1 relevant CTA to avoid confusion and for better focus and impact.

As a reader of other blogs, I often check article titles, introductions, and conclusions first.  I then decide if I want to take the time to read in detail.  It can be regretful to spend minutes on content that promises something and doesn’t deliver on it.

Last but not least, if you’re an aspiring blogger, start by choosing a blog name carefully.  If you’re already into blogging, you might want to remind yourself of your reason for starting the activity.  Either way, it’s a strategic decision.  

With a clear niche and strategy, know where you want to go.  Using best practices, take advantage of what’s proven to work.  Learn ongoingly through the experience of what your ideal audience values most. 

Conclusion

What makes a good blog post includes various things.  I listed handy components in my article.  Take advantage of such blogging best practices for the better.

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