You’re about to write a blog with a great idea you have fresh in your mind; you can’t wait to hit those keyboard keys and get blogging.
You tell yourself this one will be a little gem, everyone’s going to love it and your head will whizz with pride when you see the finished product. Yay, published…and for all the world to see, what immense blog-worthy fun.
I’ve been there many, many a time and know the crazy feeling. This is where you have to get a hold on yourself because writing a blog is not about bashing out words and hoping for the best. As a frequent blogger for my business, I thought I’d pass on a few useful tips.

One of the things I have learnt over the years is that if you expect readers to see, read and like what you have written you need to respect them first. That means crafting your blog by taking time to think about what you really want readers to understand from your words. Before you begin to write, jot down a few points about what you are trying to say. Go through your list and see which one really grabs your attention and sparks off other thoughts. Keep to one side any you think you might be able to use later.

Does your style sound welcoming, so your readers warm to your tone, and are unable to stop reading til the end because they are both enjoying and learning? Recognise your target audience, yes, but with a business blog it’s easy to slip into being too crisp and serious, hoping to sound professional and impressive. This usually has a negative effect, driving people away. Okay, so you’ve written your blog in a nice chatty style but what about the ‘selling’ you’ve temptingly slipped in? Readers will exit; rapidly.

Remember the old school essays you wrote with the teacher banging on relentlessly about a beginning, middle and end? Well, they were right. Think of your blog like a journey: from beginning to end it should have logical flow. After you have written your first draft, lay it to one side for a day and then take out your editing pen…with ruthless zeal. Would someone with no knowledge of your subject get your message? Keep the magic words in the forefront of your mind: what am I trying to say? Then say it.

Shape your words into content that pleases readers. The way to do this is to treat your post as a process: moulding words into as tight a focus as you can, whilst retaining an inviting, engaging style. Think of your blog in the same way the phrase ‘community spirit’ evokes a feeling of unity and common interest. Make a list of the main ideas you want to convey and work at crafting your message to fit the ideas, snug, neat and focused. It is better to write less and well, than offer a confused ramble.

When you write your blog with an open, honest voice it will show; not only that, you’re likely to be quite popular because that is exactly why people have come to read it and will stay to the end. This really is a critical point; when you win your readers over with warm, genuine appeal, they are far more likely to comment, tell their friends, link or bookmark your post. No need to gush and overplay, just state it as it is; remember it is the reaction of others, on or offline, that is likely to determine the success of your blog.
Hey, I hope this gives you a great kick-start into defining your blog post by taking more time to find its message. There’s lots more I could say so until next time, have some fun, enjoy your blog writing and here’s to your success.
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