Need to write another post?
*sigh*
Sometimes, the thought of writing induces a thumping headache.
You want to curl up in bed and forget about your blog. Forget about your readers. Forget about running your business.
But …
You’ve promised yourself to write every week.
So, you leaf through your notebook with ideas.
And there you spot a teeny-tiny idea, and you wonder …
Can you turn this tiny idea into a solid blog post? A post that’s fun and valuable?
Let me show you …
Step 1. Vet your idea
Before you start writing, ask yourself: Is this topic useful for my readers? Am I helping them solve a problem?
Last week, for instance, I was in a rebellious mood. And I wanted to write about breaking rules.
But would a blog post about breaking rules be useful for my readers?
I decided it could be a valuable post because I didn’t think I was the only one fed up with following rules.
Moreover, I could boost anyone’s writing confidence by explaining:
- Why rules are important (because they improve the reading experience).
- When rules can be ignored (when they damage the reading experience).
I never publish a post just because I need to publish something. I always aim to provide value to my readers.
Step 2. Add substance
Last week, I started with 3 writing rules (31 words in total)—these are the rules I like to ignore:
- Don’t start your sentence with But, Or, Because, or And.
- Don’t use broken sentences.
- Each paragraph must contain three to five sentences.
How could I create a valuable article out of these paltry sentences? In a few more sentences, I could explain the rules and why you can break them. But that would still be superficial and dull.
To beef up my post and bring the rules to life, I added before and after examples. How do sentences look when you adhere to these rules? And how do they sound when you break them?
Examples are your secret weapon in blog writing. They add substance and meaning. They make your post practical. They even show off your expertise because you prove you can apply the theory in real life.
Step 3. Sprinkle a dash of fun
To set the context for my post about breaking the rules for writing, I had to explain why grammar rules matter.
I don’t like to sound like a boring grammar teacher, and the topic of grammar rules is rather abstract. A metaphor would add a dash of fun. Plus it would make the topic more concrete.
To dream up a metaphor about writing rules, I thought about other rules we like to break. When I got stuck, I tried thinking about an illustration, and I imagined purple-haired Henrietta jumping a red traffic light on her bike. I used this metaphor to explain why grammar rules are valuable:
Traffic rules help us drive (or cycle or walk) both safer and faster. We can anticipate what others will do. We know when it’s our turn to cross safely. We avoid chaos on the road.
Writing rules are similar. They exist to avoid confusion, so readers can grasp your ideas without stumbling around.
Metaphors add shine to a dull topic, and make abstracts ideas concrete. They help explain your idea, and can make readers smile.
Step 4. Entice people to read your post
The aim of your opening paragraph is to get people to read your post.
And the best way to do that?
Explain the problem your post solves, and promise your reader a solution.
In the opening for my post about writing rules, I promised your writing life would become a little easier:
Today, we talk about rules you can ignore, so your writing life becomes a little easier, and perhaps your writing even gets better, too. Okay?
When you highlight a problem that strongly resonates with readers, they get eager to read your post.
My most shared posts have an opening highlighting issues readers are keen to solve. Like writing faster, coping with a crazy workload, and making bland content more interesting.
Sometimes, I struggle with writing an opening paragraph; and that’s almost always because I haven’t vetted my idea well enough—I’ve not decided which problem the post solves.
To avoid the time suck of rewriting your posts, always think about your reader first. Vet your ideas.
Step 5. Don’t let your post fizzle out
Want your post to be seriously valuable?
Inspire your readers to act on your advice. Give them a pep talk or take away an obstacle blocking their desire to implement your advice.
In my blog post about writing rules, I reminded readers of what matters and why they’re writing:
Let your ideas shine. And inspire your readers.
Your job as a blogger is not to write blog posts. Your job is not to share tips and facts and advice. A useful tip that’s not put into action is like a riveting book that’s never opened.
Be a mentor for your readers, and fire them up to implement your advice.
It’s easy to fall into the trap …
Choose an idea.
Add words, and sentences, and paragraphs.
Until you hit a certain word count.
But remember that scarf a friend knitted for you?
The length of the scarf in itself doesn’t matter. What matters is how the scarf makes you feel. Whether it keeps you warm. How it brings back happy memories of that long walk, years ago, in a wintry forest.
Your readers don’t care about word count. They want to be entertained. They want to be inspired. They want to learn.
So, stop worrying about word count.
Be valuable.
The Enchanting Blog Writing course (rated 4.9 out of 5.0) teaches you how to captivate, educate, and inspire your readers.
“Even though I’m a published writer, I found the course super helpful and my blog posts contain more meat and substance than ever before.”
Recommended reading on writing blog posts:
How to write a good blog post
7 scrumptious blog writing tips to delight your readers
Business blogging 101: How to create a must-read blog
I needed this today! I am now podcasting – but writing the podcast is no different than when I write a blog post! But I’m getting stuck in the details. Thank you for helping me focus on my listener/reader – and reminding me to inspire and entertain! As always, you’re a gem!
Thank you, Terry. I’m glad this came at the right time for you. Happy podcasting!
Great article. Thank you.
Thank you, Sheila. Happy blogging!
Henneke,
Sometimes the length of the scarf is trivial, and the warmth is trivial. It could even be an ugly or lopsided scarf that doesn’t even match my clothing colorway.
Sometimes it matters more that a friend made this scarf for me. It feels like a soft hug from an old friend.
I do not mean to imply that your posts are too short, cold, lopsided, or inappropriate! Not at all! Sometimes I am not ready for the current advice, though. Sometimes it’s even over my head.
But it’s from you. And I love hearing from you. There is that and it’s the most important thing.
As I learn and try so hard to keep in my head all the training you offer, I know your patience will win, when I am flagging in zeal.
Thanks so much, just for being you and shining through the fog for us all.
I love how you put that, Katharine: “The scarf feels like a soft hug from an old friend.” That captures it perfectly.
I always appreciate your stopping by to leave a comment. Thank you for all your support. <3
I suggest you add a ‘like’ or perhaps ‘love’ button to your blog because that’s what I feel after reading every one of your posts. Thank you for inspiring us and thank you for being a sincere encouraging voice to beginner writers.
What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much, Marwa. Happy writing! 🙂
This couldn’t have came at a better time for me. I was looking at all of my 2 or 3 sentence drafts and trying to figure out what to write. Luckily, you came through. THANK YOU!.
Great! It always makes me happy when a blog post arrives at just the right time. Happy writing, Greg!
If it’s the germ of a good post, there is no such thing as measly words.
And don’t break the rules, as I just did here.
How many broken rules can you find?
I’m not sure I know the answer to how many broken rules we can find. I’m sure I’m breaking plenty all the time, even my own rules 😉
I like your point that there’s no such thing as measly words if they form the germ of a good post. So true.
Thank you for stopping by, David. Always a pleasure.
Here is the sentence that stood out to me in this post, Henneke:
‘Never write posts for the sake of publishing. Always aim to help your readers.’
Your blog posts are so valuable because you do exactly that. You also leave me wanting for more and looking forward and thinking : “What will Henneke say in her next blog post?”
That’s so lovely to read! Thank you, Ray, for putting a smile on my face 🙂
This is super irrelevant, but I just had to share. I’ve been floundering at work this morning (so exhausted) and couldn’t keep hold of a thought long enough to write it down. You know? When you try to write, but it comes out like, “hey, guys. So. . . ummm mum mum mummm.”
I’ve got 5 different clients that need blog posts this week. I had to get crackin! What do I do?
‘opens web browser’
“www.enchantingmarketing.com”
‘reads 3 articles’
‘opens Word doc’
‘busts out a killer blog post like a champ’
Henneke! Your writing is just so clear and concise that it organizes my own thoughts! And every single article is so useful! Thanks so much for being awesome!
Your comment put a big smile on my face, Storm 😀
Happy writing!
Henneke,
I am glad I found your website. This is how I want to write. Simple, easy to read and captivating to the last word. Without your permission, I am making yours the role model for writing my blog. It’s a fortunate day for me, thanks to Sue Dunlevie.
Hi Soon – nice to “meet” you 🙂
And yes, feel free to swipe as much as you like. Happy writing!
Hi Henneke,
Good point about why not vetting our blog post idea can be why opening paragraphs might be a struggle. Most of my posts are written in direct response to readers questions, or questions I read on other blogs, or hear on podcast or webinar Q&As. But I do struggle with how to write opening paragraphs so – more vetting of my reasons for writing will be done.
Or, better still, asking what readers will be able to do better as a result of reading my posts.
Enjoy your break.
Cheers!
-Tom
Writing opening paragraphs can be tricky even if you have vetted your idea. So, if you’re finding it hard to write an opening, it’s not always the case that the idea hasn’t been vetted properly.
Sometimes it’s worth thinking beyond the question. Why are people asking it? What’s the worry behind it?
I was feeling the creep of blogging-burn-out. Meh!
THANK YOU coach-in-a-post for the reminder that ‘ethical’ blogging is not about me/the author first. It is about first serving our reader(s) – even if it is only 1. 🙂
He/She/They deserve this…
“Your readers don’t care about word count. They want to be entertained. They want to be inspired. They want to learn.
So, stop worrying about word count.
Be valuable.”
I’ve been served…and it’s all good 🙂
A break now and then can help combat blogging-burn-out, too.
I’ll be taking a blogging break over Christmas and New Year. Replenishing our creative energy is important, too!
There are many things I love about your writing Henneke. The one I’m most present to today is that you know that the small stuff like scanning a list of ideas and being able to turn a wisp of an idea into a valuable post is actually the big stuff when it comes to blogging successfully. Great post.
Thanks so much, Taylor. That’s lovely to hear. The longer I’ve been blogging (and it’s only 3 years ;-)), the more important it becomes to spot those tiny ideas, so I can avoid repeating myself and boring you 🙂
Good to see your name pop up again! 🙂
“Let your ideas shine. And inspire your readers.”
That sentence resonated with me. Not that your other points weren’t valuable. In fact, your entire post is full of ideas that hit the spot.
Your post demonstrates that bloggers and writers do not have to slave away for twenty hours or more constructing monster posts. In fact, this small post should motivate many people to make some beneficial changes. I get it now – the objective is to create content that transforms a post from mere words to something that changes lives.
I am inspired and will take on board everything you’ve said here. Thank you Henneke – profound.
Kim
Quite often I find that those monster posts are difficult to read. They ramble on, or are so full of ideas that they make my head spin. I prefer simplicity. One idea. One post. Written for readers.
Thank you for stopping by and for sharing, Kim!
Great point about vetting your idea. I love that phrase. It really sticks, as a reminder to be helpful and as a technique to help sharpen your focus. It’s a little lightbulb moment for me 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you, Richard. And thank you for inspiring this post! 🙂
Hi Henneke, I’ve seen so many waffling blogs that I decided not to be involved in blogging. Now you’ve explained what makes a proper blog I will give it a try once I finish my carers handbook. I can see a blog is useful for how-to authors to keep their readers up to date on latest trends.
Thanks again for you insights into “everything”.
Yes, there’s lots of bloggers giving blogging a bad name. But I’d think your audience would welcome a blog as a means to find support, comfort, and advice. I might even argue that every non-fiction author should have a blog. You can re-purpose part of your book into blog posts (I did it the other way around, I started writing blog posts and then re-wrote them plus filled in the gaps for my books).
Thank you for stopping by!
Henneke, I have to give props to you. You taught me something valuable. I now look at each blog post as a universal problem to solve, with my own personal solution. Its made so much difference in how I approach my blog. Thank you!
That makes me happy, Laurie. Thank you.
Thanks Henneke. Great post, from the opening lines, which really stuck a chord to you closing words, ‘So, stop worrying about word count. Be valuable.’
It inspired me to write a post based on the rules of marketing & selling and the dangers of breaking them. I wrote the post and squeezed in an hour long mentoring call in just over 2 hours, which made me feel very good.
Great! That’s what I love to hear 🙂
Henneke–this 2 part combo of your breaking the rules post and this one on how you took the small idea and worked it into a full post is brilliant! As always, you offered well-written posts with useful insights. Thanks!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Janet. How nice to see you here again!
Step #2 is especially interesting. It shows that even ideas for a seemingly superficial list post CAN be useful. You just mustn’t publish them but use them as a starting ground for a meatier post. A simple but great idea.
Must remember that before I hastily litter my list post ideas next time 🙂
You can do both – create a list post with a series of short tips. Then challenge yourself to write an in-depth post about each of these tips. Some will be harder than others.
Don’t forget to go back to your list post and add links to the more in-depth posts about each tip.
Thanks a lot for your time and advice, Henneke. I’ll definitely try this. 🙂
A nice example in itself, this post.
Different topic. Same tricks. 😉
Your blog post was like an espresso. I felt my brain cells stretch, yawn, and come to life. Each paragraph was like Christmas tree light turning on, one bulb at a time. And like a good cup of coffee, I now feel a good dose of courage, too. I’m ready to start my day!
Great! Have a good day, Saleem.
You remind me it’s time to brew a cup of tea 🙂
I like your tips, especially point number 2. I’ve seen so many people starting sentences with ‘but’
Thanks for sharing Henneke.
Yep, I also started sentences with But all the time 🙂
“Your job as a blogger is not to write blog posts. Your job is not to share tips and facts and advice. A useful tip that’s not put into action is like a riveting book that’s never opened.
Be a mentor for your readers, and fire them up to implement your advice.”
———————————
This ^^^ is so very helpful to me, Henneke! I find it difficult to view myself, sometimes, as being a mentor- as having valuable input- but this is so important, and the main reason why anyone would want to read my posts. Seeing myself, as the writer, from this perspective, really inspires me.
That’s lovely, Loran. We all have valuable ideas and experiences to share.
I printed this one and hung next to my desk. I love your powerful punches to blog writing misery. Thank you!!
You’re welcome, Kelly. We all get stuck from time to time, but often we think it’s only us. Happy blogging!
Hi Henneke,
You finished with, “Your readers don’t care about word count. They want to be entertained. They want to be inspired. They want to learn.”
As always, you have succeeded.
I can’t wait to get home tonight and open up the latest post I’ve been working on. Your suggestions in this post will surely breathe new life into it.
Thanks!
Eric
Thank you so much, Eric.
Your comment put a smile on my face 🙂
Life is contradictory.
We expect Sunny days during winter.
Rainy season during summer.
Rain or Shine,
Henneke’s blogs are Prime.
Like a little kid waiting in the lawn
To receive a tuesday letter during the dawn(dusk)
We expect you to write
May be it is your right
Whether or not to be quiet.
Let your blog’s grow
Like an earling morning light
Your every little word
is like a shining sword.
Keep writing and make us happy.
Thank you for your poem! 🙂
Hey Henneke,
Really great post here.
#1 is something I go through every time I have to write a post. Sometimes the topic I want to write about just doesn’t feel right. But I never made the mistake of just publishing for the sake of it. But that’s where thorough research comes in handy to find out what readers want to read and get help with.
Also #4 is very important to me as well. Opening paragraphs set the entire tone of the post and helps entice readers to read. I struggle with this as well but I’d like to think I’m getting better at it.
– Andrew
Hey Andrew
You’re quick today 🙂
The point on research is interesting. When I started blogging, I did a lot of research, but now I hardly do any dedicated research. It’s become part of everyday work. It’s like reading between the lines when answering comments, emails or questions in my courses. Or just noticing the mistakes people make.
I guess it’s a logical evolution of the blogging process.
You’re right, Henneke.
Looking at emails and comments and just general conversation is a great way as well. Just being very observant is helpful for the blogging process.