Blog content writing tips – you can never have too much of them.
In this post, I rounded up 103 content writing tips I’ve learned over the years. This includes everything, from my writing lifestyle habits to productivity tips.
Let’s jump right in.
Table Of Contents
Practical Writing Tips
1. Master transition phrases and words
Want to know how to create content that will captivate your readers from start to finish?
Transition words and phrases like “in addition,” “the bad news is,” and “fortunately” are essential to your content’s flow. They prevent awkward and sudden jumps between talking points – making your posts more cohesive.
2. Learn power words
Using the right power words will boost your conversions by as much as 12.7 percent.
Sprinkle a fair amount of power words to make your content more compelling and maximize your blog’s profitability.
Here are some examples:
- Ultimate
- Special
- Massive
- Skyrocket
- Propel
- Cost-effective
- Supercharge
- Super-easy
- Killer
3. Create your content writing swipe file
Overcoming writer’s block doesn’t have to be difficult.
A swipe file is an easily accessible document that lists down bits of text that can be used in writing.
Create one for your collection of English expressions, power words, and transition phrases to have a consistent blogging voice.
4. Check Google for the more popular variation
Not sure which variation of a phrase or word to use?
Sometimes, there are two accepted ways to write something in English. Use Google and compare the number of results between two or more variations to determine what you should use.
5. Create a reader persona
A reader persona is essentially a pretend profile that describes your average blog audience. Detailed personas include their age, interests, education level – anything that can help you fine-tune your writing style to their tastes.
6. Try dictation when writing
Written and spoken English are two different skills, but there are easy ways to make them more connected.
Apps like Microsoft Word has a dictation feature that lets you write text by speaking directly to your device’s microphone. This will help save you time as well as refine your spoken English skills.
7. Read your content aloud as you write
If you’re not into dictating, you can read your draft aloud as you write instead. Doing so will make it significantly easier to spot awkward and hard-to-read sentences.
8. Use phrases you often use in real life
You can instill personality into your content by injecting phrases you use in real-life conversations, like “Goodness me,” and “wowsers.” Add them to your swipe file for future reference.
9. Use Headline Studio from CoSchedule
Headline Studio by CoSchedule is a free tool that can help you write catchy blog headlines. It works by analyzing your headline’s word composition while providing improvement suggestions.
10. Make sure the post ties back to the headline
It’s crucial to make sure your content satisfies the expectations of readers upon reading your headline.
A lot of rookie bloggers make the mistake of writing content that leaves their audience with unanswered questions.
11. Know how to emphasize words
Want to multiply the effectiveness of your content in terms of conversions?
Don’t forget to use italics and bold to emphasize words or phrases that you want readers to focus on. This alone can completely change the impact that a piece of text has on your audience.
12. Write a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section
I often write FAQ sections at the end of specific posts to help readers find quick answers.
If you’re creating a product page, answer questions that potential customers may have before committing to a purchase.
13. Insert tweetable quotes
You can maximize your social presence by pouring out words of wisdom and encourage your existing readers to share.
Using a plugin like Social Snap allows you to insert “tweetable quotes” within blog posts. It works natively with the WordPress editor, making it extra convenient to use.
14. Mention hashtags
#MindBlown.
You can use hashtags in your content as a way to signal topical relevance to readers.
With a plugin like hashtagger, you can also utilize hashtags in your content to automatically create tags in WordPress.
15. Use memes to draw attention
Well-made memes can stop content skimmers dead in their tracks – encouraging them to focus on a particular section. Use tools like this Meme Generator from Imgflip to whip up memes within minutes.
16. Repurpose visuals into meaty text
Got an old piece of infographic, chart, or slideshow just lying around?
You can repurpose it into a full-on blog post by elaborating key details and adding more actionable information.
17. Number your visuals
Speaking of visuals, have you experienced uploading documents with dozens of images to WordPress?
Not as easy as it sounds, right?
To streamline the upload process, add numbers to your images’ filenames based on where they’re inserted.
18. Make your images narrower
Creating images in portrait mode not only looks great – it also renders better on mobile devices. If you prefer images with landscape orientation, consider reducing their size in the WordPress editor.
19. Write a short intro
A short, well-written intro can cut your blog’s bounce rate in half.
Just keep it short and mention what readers can get from your post. If possible, use numbers, examples, or images to hook your audience.
20. Finish with a powerful conclusion
The conclusion is equally if not even more important than the intro. Its main purpose is to turn the reader’s attention into action.
Recap, empower, and insert a powerful CTA to get clicks.
21. Know when to use lists
Bullet points and numbered lists make it easy for readers to digest sets of information.
Bullet points are for “unordered” lists, which means the items don’t follow a sequence. Numbered lists, on the other hand, are for things like step-by-step instructions or a sequence of events.
22. Add in actionable tips
Actionable information can make the difference between generic and epic posts.
Don’t just present information to educate. Instead, train readers to turn information into action by writing clear instructions and tips.
23. Make room for screenshots
Adding images to your blog posts can boost your traffic by up to 94 percent. Instead of relying on stock photos, use custom images like annotated screenshots to engage your readers.
24. Share your personal experiences
Publishing original blog content will help you build a loyal following who trusts your brand. You can add a unique twist to any content topic by relating it to a personal experience.
25. Tell stories
If you don’t have personal experience with the topic at hand, you can still make it unique through storytelling. You can ask your readers or other bloggers for a story to tell regarding the topic you want to cover.
26. Provide relatable examples
It’s not rocket science: people respond better to articles that describe a relatable situation.
You can turn almost anything relatable by comparing it with something that happens every day.
For example, building a blog is like cooking. Anyone can do it, but some people end up burning the pan.
27. Have consistent formatting
Consistent formatting will make your posts more cohesive, scannable, and pleasing to the eye.
Make sure you use a consistent subheading structure and capitalization along with typography styles for emphasis all throughout posts.
28. Use a readable font when writing
Readable fonts not only help readers absorb your message. It will also help you during the writing process – especially when you’re sitting there and reviewing your work.
Depending on your preference, stick to old-style and serif fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri.
29. Compile a list of resources
Having a list of reference posts ready before writing will make your life significantly easier. It eliminates the need to open several tabs of Google Search to find the information sources you need.
30. Write with certainty
Readers will be more likely to trust you if you write with a certain, authoritative voice. Simple changes like turning “can” into “will” should do the trick.
31. Edit out passive voice one at a time
Another way to increase your content’s authority and clarity is to use active voice instead of passive.
However, consciously avoiding passive voice can sometimes disrupt your writing flow. That’s why you should focus on editing out passive voice after you’ve completed the whole draft.
32. Take out hard-to-read words
Most readers prefer content with common, easy-to-read words than pieces that contain hard and sophisticated terms. Watch out for words you can simplify during the proofreading process.
33. Write about whatever you feel like writing
Big-name bloggers in niches like lifestyle, travel, and food don’t just write things that are strictly about relevant topics. They also blog as an outlet for unloading creative thoughts, be it about their hobbies or everyday experiences.
General Writing Lifestyle Tips
34. Learn to “free write”
Free-writing is often seen as a “prewriting” technique wherein you unload all your thoughts without stopping.
Do this for 5-15 minutes per day to get in a writing mood.
35. Converse on social media
Talking to other English speakers is a surefire way to hone your conversational and writing skills. You can do this in a professional environment, but having conversations in social media groups work as well.
36. Write a “thought of the day”
A “thought of the day” can help you find new topics, fresh angles for old ideas, and inspiration to write.
Create one by looking at your information sources, be it the news or social media, and jotting your thoughts down.
37. Learn one word per day
Every day is a new opportunity to expand your vocabulary. You can refer to Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day to learn a new word you can incorporate into your writing.
38. Have pretend conversations in your head
Imagining conversations in your head can help prepare your mind for similar situations. It will also help you build fluency in both written and spoken English as well as define your writing voice.
39. Have a personal journal
A personal journal is a powerful tool that can help you get in touch with your own writing voice. You can keep it on a note-taking tool like Evernote, but some writers prefer using an actual notebook.
40. Watch tutorials without captions
How do you know that your spoken English proficiency is increasing?
A fun way to train is to watch video tutorials with the captions off. To hit two birds with one stone, watch a tutorial about the topic you’re currently writing about.
41. Listen to English audiobooks and podcasts
You can listen to audiobooks and podcasts to stay immersed in the language on the go. Do it while you’re cooking, commuting, exercising, or doing any activity that doesn’t require your full conscious attention.
42. Watch a lot of movies
Watching English movies is another way to immerse yourself in the language and become proficient. This is especially helpful if you’re not a native English speaker.
43. Read blogs you personally enjoy
If you prefer to relax and take your time while consuming content, reading is the way to go. I recommend checking out blogs you enjoy, which will also provide you with ideas on improving your own blog.
44. Use a cross-platform note-taking tool
Freewriting sometimes results in unique content ideas and tidbits of wisdom. Use a cross-platform tool like Evernote so you don’t forget to jot them down whenever inspiration strikes.
45. Learn different writing styles
Different people have different writing styles. Prioritize learning the most popular style in your industry, but also make an effort to learn others.
46. Organize your home workspace
Having a professional work environment is very important even to those working from home. Be sure your workspace is tidy, organized, and motivating to work in.
47. Organize your digital workspace
Apart from your physical environment, your digital workspace is also a huge factor in your productivity.
I don’t know about you, but I always organize my work files, like documents and images, into clearly labeled folders. Doing so makes sure I know exactly where to look for the things I need.
48. Get a good keyboard
Believe it or not, sturdy mechanical keyboards are known to help boost productivity. You can go for a tactile or “clicky” mechanical keyboard to make typing a pleasing experience for hours on end.
49. Get inspired from productive spaces
Well-decorated workspaces can give busy bloggers a much-needed dose of motivation.
I follow an Instagram page called “productive spaces” to get ideas for my workplace. Interestingly, looking at other people’s workplaces after a few minutes also puts me in a writing mode.
50. Have a creative outlet that teaches you English
Poetry, songwriting, videogames – certain creative outlets can help you learn English. What’s important is, you can immerse yourself in the language you’re writing in while also having fun.
51. Read other people’s blog comments
Reading the comments in other people’s blogs will help you learn how other people communicate in written form. More importantly, their feedback can help you understand what readers are looking for in a blog.
52. Participate in online communities
Apart from social media networks, websites like Reddit are great for having online discussions. You can also participate in Q&A websites like Quora.
53. Be open about your written works
If you already published some posts, don’t be afraid to share them with your peers to gather feedback.
Sure, blogging anonymously comes with perks. However, sharing them with people who actually know you is great for obtaining honest criticism and your brand image.
54. Read your old work
Reading your own write-ups will help you pick up bad habits, like word overuse and passive writing. You may also come up with better ways to write certain lines and convey your message.
55. Configure and personalize your word processing app
You can easily make writing fun again with a few tweaks to your word processing app.
As a blogger, you have every right to configure your digital workspace in any way you see fit. That includes customizing your word processing app’s fonts, line spacing, and even colors to make writing more enjoyable for you.
56. Always have reading materials ready
In my spare time, I read educational books about topics like marketing, entrepreneurship, writing, and productivity. You can also read magazines, comics, novels, and even old newspapers to learn what it takes to write something publish-worthy.
57. Read “The Content Rulebook”
The Content Rulebook – written by yours truly – is a must-read for bloggers who are still working on their craft. It contains productivity tips as well as my very own writing strategies like the “P.E.N. writing flow” and “R.U.E. method.”
58. Be sure to manage your budget
Money allows you to spend more on courses, tools, and other resources that can help improve your writing.
As such, be sure to create a comprehensive budget plan to make the most out of your blogging income.
59. Let other professionals review your work
Connected to editors, novelists, teachers, and other bloggers? You can ask them to give their honest feedback on some of your posts.
60. Have a mastermind group
A “mastermind group” is the getting together of like-minded individuals with the aim of helping each other accomplish their goals.
You can form your own mastermind group by reaching out to people in social media groups, forums, and webinars.
61. Look for an accountability partner
An accountability partner is someone you talk to on a regular basis – sharing both your recent accomplishment and plans. Having someone who knows if you failed or succeeded in an objective could motivate you to get things done.
62. Keep reading Master Blogging posts
I spend several hours a day brainstorming ideas and writing content to provide you with a motivating and enriching experience. If you want an endless supply of blog writing tips, bookmark this blog and stay tuned.
Blog Content SEO Tips
63. Optimize for rich snippets
Rich snippets allow websites to bypass Google rankings and leap straight to the top of search results. Use Google’s Rich Results Test to check if you optimized properly for snippets like carousels, images, and knowledge panels.
64. Watch out for keyword cannibalization
Identifying and fixing keyword cannibalization issues will maximize the organic traffic you generate from your SEO efforts.
Keyword cannibalization occurs when two or more of your own content competes for the same keyword. An all-around SEO tool like Semrush will help you identify keyword cannibalization issues across your entire blog.
65. Keep sentences within 20 words
Writing short and crisp sentences will supercharge your content’s readability – not to mention it’s good for SEO.
Most long sentences can be dissected into two shorter sentences. Just split up the points you’re trying to make and throw in the right transition words.
66. Keep paragraphs within two sentences
You can boost your content’s readability even further by limiting paragraphs to only two lines tops. It sounds extreme at first – until you realize that top bloggers like Neil Patel and Brian Dean do it.
67. Aim to write lengthy posts
Research shows that longer posts tend to get more backlinks, social shares, and overall organic traffic. Statistically, you should get the most results once you surpass the 2,500-wordmark.
68. Write with your keyword in mind
Creating keyword-optimized content is the first step towards high search engine rankings.
Do your content research well and naturally insert keywords in your content’s body, headline, subheadings, and metadata.
69. Research “near me” keywords
If you’re offering local services or products for sale, you can target “near me” keywords to reach potential customers.
Of course, you should also write your blog content with the local audience in mind.
70. Check out the top organic posts for your target keywords
Wondering how to rank first place for your focus keywords?
Simply inspect the top results and “borrow” some ideas, like their keyword placement, covered subtopics, and formatting.
71. Don’t worry about keyword density when writing
Thinking about keyword density can really take the fun out of blog content writing.
The good news is, keyword density is nowhere near as important as it once was. So, rather than worrying over keyword density, focus on naturally weaving in your keywords within walls of meaty text.
72. Add a visual every 300 words
Inserting visuals after every 300 words is a great way to keep readers hooked on your content. This reduces bounce rate, increases dwell time, and does wonder for your blog’s rankings.
If you can’t add screenshots, try using data visualizations, visual headings, animated GIFs, image quotes, and memes.
73. Don’t forget alt text tags
Image alt text tags tell users with connectivity issues (and search engines) what your image is about.
On top of that, alt tags are great places to insert your keywords and their variations. Learn more about Image SEO here.
74. Add links to related/suggested posts
Internal links encourage readers to explore more of your site. As a result, you can drive up your blog’s average session duration, minimize bounce rate, and increase rankings.
75. Write meta descriptions
While meta descriptions don’t affect rankings directly, they have a huge impact on your blog’s organic click-through rate.
Use plugins like Rank Math to add meta descriptions quickly and effortlessly to posts. Just be sure to stay within the character limit so your descriptions will show properly.
76. Link to authoritative sources
Linking to authoritative, credible sources will in turn increase your reputation as an information source.
Whenever you mention statistics, quotes, or case studies that support your ideas, be sure to give proper credit. You should also inform your source that you mentioned them, which may convince them to link to you.
77. Know when to use H2 and H3 tags
Using heading and subheading tags not only helps your readers find the section they want. In terms of SEO, the proper use of heading tags is also important for keyword and rich snippet optimization.
78. Take the fluff out
Removing fluff and getting straight to the point will convince more readers to stick around and finish consuming your content.
There’s a fine line between fluff and lines of text that add entertainment value to your posts. If a bit of text doesn’t offer any value to your readers whatsoever, get rid of it.
Content Productivity Tips
79. Have a target daily word count
Knowing how much you need to write on any given day makes it possible to plan your schedule. And with proper time management, you can get work done more efficiently while also reducing stress.
80. Try the Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a productivity strategy that will allow you to do more in less time – with less effort.
To use it, start with 25 solid minutes of writing then take a five-minute break. After repeating this four times, start taking longer breaks – around 15-30 minutes should suffice.
81. Have “café” working days
Public workspaces, like libraries, cafés, and coworking spaces are proven mood boosters. Just be careful when connecting to public WiFi networks and consider using a VPN like NordVPN.
82. Prepare a sustainable writing schedule
Constructing a writing schedule is the key to turning blogging into a sustainable lifestyle. Build a schedule around your target daily word count, the Pomodoro Technique, and your café days.
83. Track your tasks on Trello
Managing your tasks visually will make your digital workspace more organized and productive.
With your schedule ready to go, you can now incorporate it into a task management tool like Trello. It is a Kanban-style collaboration tool that organizes your tasks into cards, lists, and boards.
84. Have a to-do list for everything else
To maintain a healthy work-life balance, think about your everyday tasks when building your blogging schedule.
Realistically, no one can dedicate 100 percent of their time to blogging. That’s why it’s important to set aside time for non-blogging activities.
85. Plan your content structure and outline ahead of time
Preparing your content structure and outline is one of the best things you can do for your productivity.
Now that you manage your schedule with Trello, it’s the perfect time to plan outlines for your blog posts. Don’t forget to include details like your target keywords and the average word count of the top 10 Google results.
86. Work on your typing speed
It’s simple: the faster you type, the more words you can output.
There are plenty of tools out there with features that will help track and improve your typing speed. TypingTest, in particular, helped me improve my typing speed from around 60 WPM to over 100.
87. Save proofreading for last
Writing without worrying about proofreading can practically double your productivity in no time at all.
Worrying about grammatical mistakes and inconsistencies while writing will inadvertently slow you down. That’s why you should only make time for proofreading after you’re done writing the draft.
88. Use an automated proofreading tool
A tool like Grammarly will help you save hours proofreading a post.
It automatically checks your content for correctness, readability, and clarity issues. Additionally, it provides one-click correction suggestions.
89. Try using white noise
White noise helps bloggers stay laser-focused by drowning out other distractions in their environment. For this, you can use free apps like Noisli or play white noise videos on YouTube.
90. Listen to music while writing
If white noise doesn’t work for you, writing with your favorite music on could get you more positive results. It all depends on your mood for that particular day.
91. Write with natural light
Research proves that adequate amounts of natural light reduce eye strain and headaches by 84 percent. So, if you work from home, open your windows or relocate to a more open area.
92. Write at night
Some writers do their best work at night after soaking up inspiration from their experiences during the day.
That said, don’t stress yourself out if you’re going through a slow day – all your productivity might come later tonight.
93. Try distraction-free writing apps
Distraction-free writing apps allow you to focus solely on weaving together words and nothing else.
Apps like Calmly Writer provide bloggers with a creative space without any trace of visual clutter. They make it possible to funnel 100 percent of your attention into writing.
94. Don’t read emails before writing
A lot of professionals agree that skipping emails and jumping straight into work supercharges productivity.
After all, a single email can disrupt your workflow. You’ll then spend the rest of the day trying to make up for the lost time.
95. Have a morning ritual
A morning ritual mentally and physically prepares you for a day of intense work. Just get the essential stuff out of the way first, like having breakfast and taking a shower.
96. Have an evening ritual
An evening ritual allows you to maximize rest and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges. Some ideas include cleaning up your workspace, taking a bath, and winding down with your favorite pastime.
97. Reward yourself for each published post
As a blogger, rewarding yourself is essential if you want to stay motivated in this business.
Remember, it typically takes several months of hard work before you make money with blogging.
An evening ritual can be considered as a well-earned reward after a long day’s work. But after publishing an entire post, you deserve better – like a trip to your favorite restaurant or a date night.
98. Drink caffeine
Coffee is the energy juice of millions of professionals worldwide – and for good reason.
Some of the proven benefits of healthy coffee consumption include higher energy, increased alertness, and heightened focus.
99. Sleep first, write later
Take a quick nap whenever you feel drowsy during the day – it’ll allow you to restore your body’s peak productivity.
Just be sure to set an alarm so you don’t nap too long. Otherwise, you may have a hard time trying to sleep at night.
100. Lower your screen’s brightness
Working with a comfortable screen brightness will help you to stay focused and productive for longer periods.
101. Build unique writing templates
Creating your own writing templates is a huge time-saver whenever you write similar posts in the future.
Simply identify your must-have sections for your templates, like “FAQs,” a “what is” section, and a list of possible alternatives.
102. Start with the most difficult task first
If you have a loaded day, start with the hardest task so you’ll have enough energy to do stellar work.
Doing keyword research and writing the actual post, for instance, must be done first before things like adding screenshots.
103. Use Content Ideas Flashcards
The Master Blogging Content Ideas Flashcards make sure you never run out of blog topic ideas to write about. Get your copy and print them out or use the single-page list to put your blog content production in hyperdrive.
Conclusion
With the tips above, you can unlock the potential needed to dominate any niche.
That’s a guarantee.
Got a blog writing tip you’d like to share? Have questions or feedback about the list above?
Tell me about it in the comments below.
Don’t forget to check out the links below for more resources that will help you improve your skills.
Good luck!
You Might Also Like:
- 23 Productivity Tips for Bloggers
- How to Create a Blog Editorial Calendar
- Top Tools and Resources for Competitive Bloggers
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