How to Write a Great Blog Post

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

What grabs you and makes you want to read a particular blog? Usually it’s the headline, right? And maybe the picture they have paired with it. But it’s more than that. There’s content and style and graphics and so much more. Here’s what works for me. Mind you, I am using free style writing and will not edit out extraneous remarks so you can see how I actually write and process pics/graphics, etc.

Getting Started

When something sparks my interest as I scan my Facebook page or read someone’s blog, I’ll make a mental note to add it to my blogging ideas list. That way I build a list of ideas for those times when I have no idea what I want to write about. Pretty cool, hunh?

Other times, I will recognize that what someone is talking about is not what they are doing. Ever run into that? That’s when I know I want to write about it, not because someone has not done a very good job of writing, but rather because I know I can convey my message more clearly and in a style folks will want to read.

Free Writing

Right now, I’m actually free writing. So I am not stopping the flow of my thoughts. Anything that comes through will be written down. That includes something I remembered I need to do or go buy or take care of. Sometimes when I’m stuck, I’ll write about what I see around me. That usually get the flow going again and I find myself back on track.

There will be times when I recognize that I actually need to go research something. So I’ll type that and mark it with bold print like when I want to put a particular graphic in this section. I might type “find a pic of someone writing” You see, the most important part of writing your blog is actually writing it!

Don’t stop writing until you are done. You can always go back to edit it and take out the extraneous comments. Unless you are writing about free writing, you don’t need to leave in the part about watching the dog scratching her collar as I did in a previous blog. Link previous blog. Crazy Writing Makes for Interesting Blog

Okay, so now you have completed the writing part. What’s next?

Editing

It’s time to read over your blog for ease of flow and content. Take out all the extras mentioned above and tidy up your writing. Read it again. Is there anything missing? If so, here’s where you write some more or do additional research so you can add in a missing component.

I find that I read through my blog several times. Until I am sure that I am done, each time I read through it, I find something that doesn’t sound or look right, so I change it. I look for misspellings or wrong grammar or tense. When I am satisfied with the writing, I go onto the next phase.

Graphics

Where do you get your graphics? I tend to use images from Google and Bing. I strive to get royalty-free photos or clipart. There are some other sites available. Research royalty-free photos. Free Images Link 1. and Free Images Link 2. If I can’t find anything to my liking, I might create my own graphic like this one from a previous blog insert graphic about Finding Your Niche.

I created this graphic using Microsoft PowerPoint. While there are other websites and programs to create graphics which may be easier, I’ve used PowerPoint for at least 20 years. I’m going to use what I know. Here’s how I created that graphic.

After inserting a rounded square about 3” by 4.5”, I change the original deep blue color by using Shape Fill ⇒ Gradient ⇒ From Center. That leaves a darker bit of color in the center and fades out softer towards the edges. Add a shadow to the box by using Shape Effects ⇒ Shadow ⇒ Offset Diagonal Bottom Left. I use this to match the angle I’ll move it to later.

Then insert a text box outside of the square you’ve created. That’s so you can move the words around without it being fixed to the square or rather rectangle shape. I’ve also created two text boxes so I can change one of them independently. I used Juice ITC font then changed the spacing with AV to Very Loose and Bolded it. The first two words are font size 44. The last is font size 48 as I wanted it to stand out.

Now group them together so you can move them as one.

To create the next bit, you must rotate it this way.

Shape Effects ⇒ 3-D Rotation ⇒ to the angle of your choice. I like the Angle Perspective Right.

Next you build a magnifying glass. I used a circle for the main part.

To format it, use Shape Fill ⇒ White Color ⇒ Gradient ⇒ Transparency ⇒ 70%.

Next change the text, in this case the word Niche. Format ⇒ the glowing letter A ⇒ Transform. Choose the shape that fits what you want to do.

Then I added a regular square shape elongating it into a rectangle for the handle and changed its color to black. You will need to change the rotation so you can place it on the magnifying glass. Format ⇒ Arrange ⇒ Rotate ⇒ More Rotation Options ⇒ Rotation. In this example, I change the rotation to -48˚.

One more thing. To be able to place the handle on the glass, you need to Align ⇒ Grid Settings ⇒ Snap to ⇒ Unclick Snap objects to grid. This will enable you to place the handle exactly where you need it without a gap. Feel free to change your view size to zoom into 200% so you can more easily see to merge the edges.

Yeah, I’m having fun now. How about you?

It takes a bit of time to create your own graphics. This re-creation of the first one I did is a bit different as I don’t have the same fonts on both of my computers. I didn’t even realize this until doing this exercise. Also you won’t get exactly the same angles every time. Learn something new everyday.

I created the graphic at the top of the page as well. What do you think of that? I grabbed some clipart for the man and then created a shadow as well as the frame. Quick and easy to do.

Choosing and Positioning Graphics

This part really is about making your blog post look good. Don’t use the same position all the time. Change it up. Center a graphic between Header sections. Alternate left and right throughout your blog to provide balance and easy flow.

Make sure there is some space both before and after your graphic, again for ease of reading. When possible, add a caption for interest (especially if it’s people you know or a city you’ve visited.)

Call To Action (CTA)

Why did you write this particular blog? What are you teaching? What are you offering? There is a reason behind this story. Now is the time to transition between what you have been offering and what you want them to do next.

For example, I am thoroughly loving writing stories on the Kalatu blog. I’m learning about branding myself and attracting people to my blog. We have great teachers and mentors. We have a fantastic network of like-minded individuals who all want to help each other while improving themselves. It only makes sense then that I would want to offer what I find so valuable to other people.

I’ll end this blog with a Call To Action – one that invites you to check out what I’m doing. Get a Kalatu blog of your own. Join our network. See what the Superwomen Connection is all about. There is a lot of truth and a lot of hype out on the internet. I invite you to listen to David Wood as he explains about Truth vs. Hype.

Are you ready to get your own Kalatu blog?

Click on the link below to begin your adventure!

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