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Creating Kick A$$ Blog Posts

by Tara Jefferson on Oct 23, 2011

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Compared to video and audio, words often get the short end of the stick. But a well-written blog post is just as likely to resonate with people. You’ve got something to say, go ahead and say it!
I don’t do many reviews on my site, but I know I always slow down and read a new review post by a blogger I trust. So why not make sure that you’re actually saying something? A good review *has a strong recommendation/thumbs-down – No wishy-washy reviews. State what you liked, what you didn’t like and let your readers know which side of the fence you landed on. *a bit of you in it – If a brand gives a product to 20 bloggers, does your review look like every other blogger on their list? Do you use the same corporate photos they sent you? Do you regurgitate the same stuff from the press release? Make sure YOUR voice comes through loud and clear.
YumYucky is one of my favorite fitness blogs because Josie acknowledges that GREED is a real struggle for a lot of us. I could have based this whole presentation off of everything she does right, but I wanted to use her blog as an example of how to write awesome reviews. Josie usually posts a weekly review of some “healthy” foods she has come across. And they’re golden.
She usually gives you a story about how the item ended up in her cart and she busts out the nutritional information so you can see it. But what I love is this: “REACTIONS FROM THE TASTE TEST CREW.” “ Health-hater husband”? “Greedy kids?” THAT is called “Writing a review that sells” people. Think of ways that you can come up with a review style that is uniquely you, so that if people have already read a review of that product, they’ll still read yours and come away from something different.
The headline is the first thing people see. You have to make it work for the people who regularly read your blog AND those who have no idea who you are. You've got to hook 'em! Be specific and useful. Which blog title are you going to click on? How to Make Money Blogging Six Easy Ways To Earn $200 From Your Blog By Christmas - It's specific. There are SIX ways, you can earn $200. And you can do it by Christmas. And it's useful because who doesn't want to make extra money?
The headline is the first thing people see. You have to make it work for the people who regularly read your blog AND those who have no idea who you are. You've got to hook 'em! Be specific and useful. Which blog title are you going to click on? How to Make Money Blogging Six Easy Ways To Earn $200 From Your Blog By Christmas - It's specific. There are SIX ways, you can earn $200. And you can do it by Christmas. And it's useful because who doesn't want to make extra money? For those of you who write about your family life, think about ways you can broaden your posts to appeal to people who aren’t necessarily interested in your family. For example, you want to write a post about the birthday party you just threw for your 5-year-old daughter. Instead of titling it, “Amy Turns 5,” how about you title it, “How I Threw A Princess Birthday Party For 20 People For Under $50 – Including The Cake!”
I subscribed to MoneySavingMom.com a while back but wasn’t a regular reader until this post arrived in my inbox: “How to Significantly Increase Your Income Without Working Harder.” Now, call me lazy, but this was a must-read. And you know what this did? Seeing the (Part 1) there also let me know – there’s more where this came from. I was checking the site every day to see if there was a new post up. Now, Part 1 went up in August and in October we’re up to part 6. You’ll have to judge for yourself, and your readership, if that’s too far apart. Breaking up something you might normally put into one post gives readers more incentive to come back.
LaShanda Henry from SistaSense.com also has a compelling headline and she broke her post on social networking rules up into two posts.
What’s particularly good about LaShanda is she let readers know when Part Two was coming.
Who came up with the Wordless Wednesday post idea? Eh….might have been a good idea in theory (and I think the idea was just to give bloggers a breather in the middle of the week!) but it’s kind of a let down. Like, all I get is a picture and maybe a sentence about what I’m seeing? Unless it’s an outstanding shot, Wordless Wednesday probably won’t cut it. But you can create your OWN specific type of post that will bring readers back time and time again. Magazines have been doing it for years. Glamour – Is it a Do or a Don’t? Vibe Magazine – 20 Questions What’s something that YOU can do that others can then come to rely on you for?
Amber Wright from The Yeyo Diaries recently debuted her “How We Make This Work” feature, where she profiles married couples on the specifics of having a healthy marriage. You won’t find this on any other blog, which is what makes it click worthy.
I came up with the {She Inspires} series on my blog to give young mothers (who typically don’t get any type of press whatsoever unless it’s negative) the opportunity to shine and be heard. When I feature a young mom on here, they (9 times out of 10) will share it with their friends, and I get a gang of new readers each time.
You don’t want to be predictable, do you?
Why did this article, Marriage Is Not Designed To Make You Happy, resound with so many people? Two reasons: 1) They didn’t expect Black and Married With Kids to run a post that, on it’s face, seems kind of anti-marriage. It draws you in simply because it stands out. 2) It leads you to ask a question: If marriage isn’t designed to make you happy, then what’s it designed for? Why do we always say that people live “happily ever after,” then?
You need to be ruthless in your blogging efforts. Are you using 40 words in a sentence when really, 25 will do? If you’re tired writing it, your readers will be tired reading it. Instead of writing one long blog post, break it up into two posts. Learn how to walk away. Write until you’ve completed your thoughts, proofread, and then hit publish. This is YOUR blog. You determine what’s a proper length for a blog post.
Accountability partner - It works for fitness goals, it works for cooking classes, etc. Get one blogging buddy and share your editorial calendar with each other. Discuss your goals. Check in weekly on your progress. This one is crucial but hard to implement because if your growth happens at different speeds, it’s hard for jealousy not to rear its ugly head. I have a blogging buddy and we call ourselves “Oprah and Gayle.” But we never specify who is who. It’s important to remember you’re in this together. Choose a different format - Can you tell a story in poem format? What if you presented it like a movie script? What if you had a slideshow? This is YOUR blog. Do what feels right for you. Interview people – Not necessarily celebrities (although that helps!). But interview the person behind that big brand or that new kids’ TV show, or that new product.
Guest posts allow you and another blogger to expand the brand. You get quality content for your blog, and they get more exposure. The time they spend writing your post, is time you can spend 1) pitching sponsors, 2) writing a quality post yourself, or 3) mapping out your goals for the blog or hell 4) taking care of your family. Your homework: Add a “Write for Us” page or widget to your blog. People won’t necessarily volunteer guest posts if you don’t let them know it’s an option. Get out of the house. The quality of your life is reflected through the quality of your posts. Editorial calendar – There is a Wordpress plugin to help you see blog posts in a monthly format. It also helps you see trends of previous blogging. You might think you’re a every day blogger, but in the past six weeks, you’ve consistently posted four times a week. Maybe that ought to be the goal.
For more info on writing kick a$$ posts, follow me on Twitter @TheYoungMommy, and check out my blog at www.theyoungmommylife.com.

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Shareef Jackson , Senior Database Analyst at Shire 7 months ago

Creating Kick A$$ Blog Posts — Presentation Transcript

Tips and Tricks for Kick A$$ Blog Posts: 6 Ways To Write Better , Smarter , “Shareable” Content Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
Written vs. video vs. audio: What’s appropriate when? Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com Written Audio Video Reviews “ Every day” posts Rants Interviews Inspirational/Motivational discussions Travel How-to (especially tech) Reviews
1. Make sure your reviews actually SAY something Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
2. Make your headline do double duty Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
How to Make Money Blogging OR Six Ways to Earn $200 From Your Blog By Christmas Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
3. Make it a series Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
2. Make it a series
4. Come up with one feature that’s uniquely YOU Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
4. Come up with one feature that’s uniquely YOU Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
4. Make your own mark on the blogging world
4. Make your own mark on the blogging world
5. Tell ‘em something they don’t expect. Tara Pringle Jefferson @TheYoungMommy TheYoungMommyLife.com
5. Tell ‘em something they don’t expect. Tara Pringle Jefferson TheYoungMommyLife.com
6. Write shorter.
Ready to Kick A$$ next time you approach the keyboard?
Get an accountability partner Choose a different format Interview high-profile folks (pay attention to Shawna Renee!)
Embrace the beauty of guest posts Get out of the house and take a note pad Make friends with your editorial calendar
Now go and kick a$$!

Creating Kick A$$ Blog Posts

by Tara Jefferson on Oct 23, 2011

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Creating Kick A$$ Blog Posts — Presentation Transcript