We all know that it’s not a game to write blog posts of excellent quality. And in addition to that, we are all a small entrepreneur – in the same person we pin up a writer, photographer, editor, seller and many other roles. It will be a huge business card!
But if we still want to spend all this time creating good content, why not add extra minutes to giving each blog post that little extra and all the conditions for people to want – and able to – spread it on? In this post, I share 16 things that you should do before and after each post we choose to print “publish” on.
You also get a free checklist that you can print and use when creating your posts!
Before you press “publish”
1. Google’s four walls – choose ONE topic for your blog post
The best posts have a clear topic, a clear “keyword” that you circle the post around. The posts about “this I did today” also fill their place but they do nothing for Google – besides confusing her! Divide your day into several posts – the “café visit”, the “recipe” and the “promenade in the park” for example. That way, you cook the post to the core and make it easy for Google to understand what it’s all about.
2. Write a title that your visitors actually click
Your title is the most important factor in your blog post (except the whole, possibly). If your visitor finds you through Google or any social media, the headline will be crucial for whether your or someone else’s posts will be selected. A good section contains the following elements:
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A clear description of what the essence of the content is.
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It contains keywords.
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It is open, urgent and convincing.
The title / title is also one of the most important factors in how your blog / posts rank on Google so be sure to include one or more keywords in it.
3. Edit the pictures you want to bring and make them SEO-friendly
Keep in mind that Google also picks up the name of your photos in the search results, especially if the image is far from the post. Do not forget to rename the pictures to something relevant so that “IMG7291.jpg” does not appear at the top of the description of your post.
4. Do not forget ALT texts on the pictures – these will appear as a description on Pinterest if someone would pin your pictures!
Extra important with regard to Pinterest, Pinterest picks the ALT text as a description of the image you’re pointing to, and then it’s gonna be sad if it’s empty or just says “IMG7291.jpg” there too, right? Descriptions on Pinterest are very powerful when it comes to search results so use them fully!
5. Divide your post into shorter paragraphs
There is nothing more exhaustive than a blog with long, heavy text blocks. It does not matter how interested I am in the content, I get an enormous high text in front of me, so I turn around and go elsewhere. So – please have a lot of text, but divide it. Preferably no more than 5-7 rows per piece. Also add paragraph title if it suits your blog.
We do not have time to plot long texts to find out if the post is for us – we scan the post and then we decide. If the visitor has no relationship with you then before you risk losing it at once.
6. Link!
Link love is one of my favorite things with the internet. Not linking the fear of getting rid of the visitor is both unfortunate and evidence of poor knowledge of the user’s work. If you give the visitor what they need – whether it be with you or someone else – will be grateful and it will give you a good will. In addition, “open in new tab” for one reason.
Links are also very positive in Google’s eyes. Linking back to relevant posts in your own archive, internal linking is a great way to show Google what’s on your site.
7. Invite to the interaction of readers
A blog is a dialogue and everyone loves the comments! In addition, blog readers want to be heard. It can often be as easy as finishing the post by asking a question or encouraging readers to share something relevant to the post. This is what is called a call to action (CTA) – to get the recipient of the message to act! It may have the last blog readers to actually fill in that comment field.
8. Fill in the SEO section of the Yoast plugin
If you are blogging with wordpress, Yoast is a must-have plugin. And I say that for your own good. Yoast is a SEO plugin that makes it childish easy for you to optimise your post for Google. It simply tells you what steps you need to take to make Google love you.
9. Correction.
One, two and three times. No one likes specialism and meaningful grammar.
After you published
1. Share the post on your private Facebook page
I know that many people are reluctant to do this and of course, this depends on who you have on Facebook and where your privacy limit lies. But hear me when I say – your friends are your biggest fans, do not be afraid to invite them to your blog.
2. Timer the post for your blog’s Facebook page
Check out your Facebook page statistics when most of your audience is active on Facebook. Usually, early morning or after 20 in the evenings, this depends entirely on what your readers are.
3. Share an image on Instagram
Share a picture from the post, preferably an image that is descriptive but may not give away everything – because you have to login to the blog. Try “tease” a little! Reminder that a link to the blog is in the profile, because it is not possible to link elsewhere on Instagram, this reminder is extra important.
4. Do you use Pinterest? Pin a picture from the post!
Pinterest is still not huge in Australia but in some genres – such as food and fashion – it may well be worth spreading on Pinterest. Please create a special image for Pinterest – Portrait Format – with descriptive graphics. This gives many more clicks!
5. Share the post in relevant Facebook groups
Nowadays, there are Facebook groups for everything and a crazy amount of such is dedicated to blogs of different kinds. Share your posts in relevant groups – but not all at the same time! Often the same people are in many groups and you do not want to be perceived as spammy.
6. Reply to comments
Can seem obvious but often forgotten. Reply to comments you received since the last post and feel free to submit to the person’s own blog, if they have one, and leave a thoughtful comment. With a little blog love you come a long way!
7. Complete with moving image
Make a Periscope broadcast or some clips on Snapchat about your post. Here you also have the opportunity to develop the topic, receive questions and continue working towards any debate. Perfect for follow-up too!
Are you ready to get your next blog post? Download the checklist here!
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