The document is a guide for beginners on how to effectively blog, covering essential components like crafting headlines, content structure, and post types. It provides strategies for engaging audiences through various blog styles like how-to guides and opinion pieces, along with tips for integrating social media. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of planning posts and using visuals to enhance reader engagement.

1. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Blogging for Beginners
Quality Content You’ll Want to Share!
Presented by Heather L. Gottke
Gottke.4@osu.edu

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
What do we hope to learn today?
1. Reproduce the main parts of a blog post such as title,
introduction, and ending with blogging characteristics versus
other writing techniques.
2. Compare blog posts with different purposes such as event
advertisement, education, formal research, or opinion.
3. Examine different types of graphic illustrations used for blogging
and their uses.
4. Devise a plan of posts that would be appropriate and well-suited
for the blogger’s audiences.
5. Critique blog posts that are hard to read, too long, or simply
boring.
6. Formulate a plan for blogging that can be followed and used
upon returning home.

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Writing for Blog Posts
1.Have a craft headline.
2.Open strong.
3.Have a convincing tone.
4.Good central/core content.
5.Shake it up with some points (bullets).
6.Keep attention by changing the sub
category with purpose.
7.Use an image, give a visual.
8.Close with conviction.

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Headline Title Templates
How to ____ in # easy steps
Where to find _______
Quick Guide:
Beginners Guide to:
# key benefits of _____
# strategies for ______
Creative ways to _____
# ideas to _____
# rules for ______
DIY: _____
Content that Works…..
Reminds us life is short.
Reminds us that dreams come true.
Gives us faith to believe in bigger things.
Surprises us.
Challenges our assumptions.
Has unexpected twists.
Takes us on a journey.

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Types of Blog Posts
Compare blog posts with different purposes such as event advertisement,
education, formal research, or opinion.

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Types of Blog Posts

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Ideas for Blog Posts that Work
• How-To’s
• Problem-Solving
• Checklists
• Current Issues
Translated
• Reviews
• Giveaways
• Questions from
“Viewers”
• Comparisons
• Research
• Inspiration
• Quotes
• Timelines
• Behind the
Scenes
• Case Studies

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How I Plan My Posts!
Post Date Title Description Posted
Shared
11/2/15 How to Rock at
Teen Leadership!
Activities, Ice Breakers, and games for
teens.
11/9/15 Tips for Busy
Educators
Staying focused on professional
development when things are busy!
11/16/15 Quick Guide to
Holiday
Community
Service in Your
Community
Putting together the blocks that form
great holiday community service events.

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Plan your Posts
Choose a catchy, clever name!
Pixabay.com
is a great
place for clip
art!
Length Best For
Up to 300
Words
Generating discussion
with comments.
300-600
Words
Standard Length
750 words Professional Journalism
Standard Length
1000-1500
Words
Good for getting shares
on social media.

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• Social media offers a great way to
channel quick “bytes” of information.
• Can be videos, photos, quotes,
comments.
• Try asking for opinions!
• Using a quick blog can keep them
interested for your next scheduled
post or “big” blog post.
Limited Time? Want to Connect with Your Audience?

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Tips for Beginners
1. Use photos.
2. Use hashtags and keywords.
3. Link with social media.
4. Connect with like-bloggers, or with other content you enjoy.
5. Headlines, headlines, headlines!
6. Start a blogging calendar, schedule posts, and stick to it!
7. Translate hot topics, and share them!
8. Lists and how tos are great ways to start!
9. Free downloads of printables, or information to share help connect learners.
10. Content that is out there, can be shared with perspective for a new fresh look on a
topic that is important and/or current.

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Social Media & Sharing Content
• Share a “Throw Back Thursday”
• Share an attention grabbing statistic.
• Link to an infographic others might
like!
• Correct a common misconception.
• Ask people to join a mailing list, or
email list to get up to date program
information.

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Social Media & Sharing Content
• Share from one to the other!
• Give a shout out to local
businesses who support your
programming.
• Post resources made up by
4-H’ers – How to’s, or a recipe!
• Offer information about your
program online – with some
history of how it came to be.

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Contact Me
Heather L. Gottke
Gottke.4@osu.edu