BLOG CREATION PROCESSCouple this lengthy writing process with a big whack of discipline and

the right promotional tactics, and people will want to share your content because it’s both deliberate and thoughtful.

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ROUND 11. Idea generation2. Research3. First Draft4. Let it sit

1. IDEA GENERATION• Figure out your keywords (KWFinder)

• Trawl your favourite blogs (BuzzSumo)

• See what your competitors are talking about (Quicksprout)

• Know your reader (Quora)

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2. RESEARCH• What else is already written about this topic?

• How successful have these other posts or articles been? (What metrics matter?)

• Can these other posts or articles expand your knowledge and help you write a better blog?

• How are you going to put a unique spin on the topic? Why will people care?

BuzzSumo

Topsy

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3. 1st DRAFT• Take your keyword(s) from the idea generation phase and come up

with 10-15 possible blog headlines.

• Think about the research you have just done, and your hands on experience. Combine these two things to come up with a basic structure for your blog. Some key dot points and sub-headings.

• Write your introduction and conclusion that support these sub-headings and key dot points.

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4. LET IT SITOnce you have a base structure for your blog post, let it sit. Rest your

mind for an hour, a day, a week. Whatever works for you. But make sure you have time to clear your head and come back in Round 2 with a new vibrance. The worst thing you can do is try and write a blog post from

start to finish at the end of a long day.

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ROUND 25. Research6. Second Draft7. Seek Feedback8. Let it sit

5. RESEARCH• Links to other blogs or articles that add depth to your post and

increase its credibility. This also helps you reach out to the authors of these posts in an attempt to gain exposure!

• Tools that you use, off or online, that help you do the things you are writing about. These insights are invaluable to your reader so they can replicate the things you are talking about. Think WordPress plugins, helpful products or free online services.

• Visuals. What visuals will add depth and rigour to your written word? Think screenshots, infographics, images, videos etc.

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6. 2ND DRAFTYou’ve locked down your keywords, created a structure and done the research. Now its time to stop procrastinating and put your fingers on that keyboard and write! Add the mortar to your brick structure. The visuals, the narrative, the useful links etc. Use this step of the process to iron out spelling and grammar errors, make sure you don’t repeat yourself and sense check your blog from start to finish.

Useful resource: Blog Post Checklist

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7. SEEK FEEDBACKA couple of example questions to ask;

• Does it make sense?

• Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?

• Is there anything you would add?

• Was it easy to read?

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8. LET IT SITJust like in Step 4 it’s time to take a break again. Rest your mind one last time in preparation for the home straight. Take this time to reflect on your feedback and discover where you can make final improvements.

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ROUND 39. Adjust10. Re-Read11. Finalise Headline and

Publish

9. ADJUSTThe reflection time you had in the previous step will allow you to sit back down and put the final touches on your post. What are the big gems that you can add, eliminate or polish to take your blog to the next level?

Note: If the feedback and reflection process has made you realize the blog is adding no value, you may need to pivot back to an earlier stage in the blog creation process.

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10. RE-READRe-read, re-read, and re-read one more time. Spelling and grammar errors are a sure fire way to decrease your credibility as a writer. This is one very last sense check before you hit the publish button.

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11. FINALISE HEADLINE AND PUBLISH

Remember those 10-15 headlines you mapped out in the 1st draft step? Now it's time to pick your favourite one and put it into the content management system. Which headline will get more people to click on your blog post? Which headline is easy to share?

Once you've decided which headline to go with, hit that button! You've just created a compelling piece of content that is far more likely to engage with your readers and spread like wildfire on social networks.

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BLOG CREATION PROCESS

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Created by @BloggerSidekick