GMS 2Creating successful blog content is more than pecking out 400 words on a computer screen. Effective content provides valuable information to your readers. Depending on your brand’s focus and voice, exceptional content will elicit an emotion from your readers. Below are seven tips to help you master the art of blog writing.

  1. Captivate your target audience. Keep your readers engaged by knowing exactly what will resonate with them as it pertains to your business. Write your blog in a conversational tone while avoiding the over usage of words and phrases. For example: “If you are” or “You can”.
  2. Give it some structure. Leave a line space between paragraphs rather than an indent. To go a step further, use headings and/or subheadings. The bottom line is that you want the information to be easily digested by those not familiar with the topic of the blog.
  3. It’s a numbers game. Numbered and bulleted lists create effective blogs. Rather than a top 10 list, choose an odd number to gain attention. Example: Seven Ways to Order Your Oysters in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
  4. Say no to fluff. Be as succinct as possible while still producing quality content that will be useful to your audience. Typically, blogs should be anywhere from 250 to 400 words in length. There is some buzz that blogs under 250 words may not be as effective at being picked up by search engines.
  5. Make a point. Once it is written, perform the “so what” test by asking yourself “what will the reader learn from this blog?” When your blog article has a point, readers will be more compelled to share it, comment on it, and engage with it.
  6. Add some eye candy. By placing strategic images within the article, you’ll not only assist your readers, you’ll enhance your content. You blog will be much more memorable when it has a visual appeal.
  7. Pick a killer headline. Many writers spend more time brainstorming their title than they do the blog itself, and for good reason – you want to grab the audience’s attention. Keep in mind that 8 out of 10 people will read your blog headline, while only 2 out of 10 people will read the actual blog post.
    • 6247_10151451945672178_200464840_nRemember the 5 Ws and H. Try starting your titles with who, what, when, where, why or how. You may ask a question or just make a statement. Example: Why You Need to Eat at Lulu’s this Spring.
    • Use adjectives. Words like “best” and “top” intrigue the reader. Example: Top 5 Places to Drink a Bushwhacker in Orange Beach, Alabama.
    • Keep it brief. The title gets cut off in search results after 65 characters.