Are you thinking about starting a blog for your business, interests, or personal brand? Chances are, you've spent a lot of time thinking about the topics you'll post about or the niche you'll be working in. You've prioritized how you can establish a unique position or voice to attract readers.rrIs this enough to get started? The reality is that there are over600 million blogs in use across the web. That's a lot of competition, even when you rule out the millions that have nothing to do with your niche or topic.rrIt's time to think about your blog format. How can you set up blog posts that are guaranteed to draw in (and keep) an active reader? How can you ensure that your blog posts are highly visible on search engines?rrRead on as we talk about which blog posts to use when and additional blog formatting tips that will help you to gain momentum.r
A Look at Effective Blog Format Types and How to Use Them
rFirst, let's talk about the different blog format types that tend to generate tons of views. Remember, you don't have to stick to one type of blog post format every time you generate new content. The key is to know how these different formats work and when to employ them.r
Listicles
rListicles have been popular since the internet became a household service. Think about websites like Buzzfeed and BoredPanda, which churn out lists on a regular basis. The idea is to group together like things in an interesting and easy-to-skim way, not unlike the way we're listing blog format types now.r
How-To Posts and Ultimate Guides
rA how-to post is useful when you want to teach your reader one particular skill, like how to cook an omelet or unclog a toilet. A cousin of the how-to post is the what-not-to-do post, where you steer readers away from common mistakes. What-not-to-do posts are best used when the ultimate goal is to discourage DIY and encourage the use of your services.rrUltimate guides operate as a one-stop shop where a reader can learn everything they need to know about a specific topic. That means that you need to explain what something is, what to do with it, why it's useful or important, and anything else that would give a reader a well-rounded understanding of your topic.r
What Is and Comparison Posts
rA what is post is exactly what it sounds like. You've picked a topic and, unlike an ultimate guide, you're not sharing
everything there is to know about it. You're explaining what it is in a way that anyone can understand, which is especially useful when you're dealing with a complicated subject (ie crypto or a Roth IRA).rrComparison posts are somewhat similar to a what is post, only you're looking at two similar things at once. The goal is to reveal their similarities and their differences so that your reader knows how to tell the difference or discern which of the two things is right for them.r
Product Showcases and Announcement Posts
rA product showcase is a very specific type of blog post. Rather than demonstrating your knowledge of a topic or sharing your opinion, the goal is to explain a specific product. This can be one of the products you sell or one of the products you're reviewing on behalf of your readers.rrAn announcement post is similar in that it focuses on something internal to your business or life, rather than a broad topic. You might make an announcement post after a major restructuring to your company or when something has shifted in your life in an important way.r
Opinion or Thought Leadership Posts
rMost of the blog post formats that we've discussed so far deal with facts. What if you want to share your opinion?rrOpinion or thought leadership posts are great when you want to shed new light on a subject. It should fall into your area of expertise and give your readers a new perspective about something they already understand. You can share your own opinions or interview an expert whose field you're interested in.r
Blog Formatting Tips for All Blog Post Formats
rNo matter which style of blog post you are using, there are certain tips that always prove useful. These tips are designed to improve your search engine optimization and keep your readers engaged.rrLet's start with your title or headline. Using a
headline generator tool is a great way to hit some high-ranking keywords while also creating intrigue. The keywords will help your post's performance in search engines and the intrigue will compel readers to read what you have to say.rrNext, let's talk about the "guts" of your post. How should you break things up?rrThe goal with just about any online text is to create a flow that encourages your reader to stay with you. One important element of that is using thoughtful and intuitive subheaders. Subheaders allow your readers to understand the logic of your writing and skip ahead to the information they're most interested in.rrFinally, make sure that your voice remains consistent and on-brand and your posts don't look visually overwhelming. In addition to using subheaders to break up the text, keep your paragraphs short. Use things like charts or bullet points when appropriate to create more clarity.r
Get Your Blog Content in Front of Active Readers With the Right Format
rStarting a new blog is an exciting business--and a ton of work. Use this guide to pick the right blog format types for all of your posts and don't forget to keep those extra tips in mind every time you sit down to write.rrWe love bloggers! We are bloggers! Stick around to stay in conversation with your fellow bloggers about all things blogging, from business blog tips to blog post inspiration.rr
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