Many people consider writing blog articles to be something that can easily be done in no time. They must be right, otherwise, why would there be so many blogs? However, when it comes to actually creating a unique and enthralling content, after encountering the numbing effect of a blank page, the very same people can radically change their minds. Let’s face it: although the number of blogs is near to uncountable and keeps growing still, the quality of their content can be quite questionable at times.
Unlike academic writing, where your papers are read by teachers, who are primarily inspired to read the text to the end by the size of their salaries, the potential audience of a blog is far less motivated. Moreover, the articles, which you present to your readers, should not only grab their attention but also make them want to visit your blog again and become a subscriber and a constant reader. Hence, writing may not be a piece of cake, but there are some useful tips that can make the process more enjoyable for the author and the result more useful for the reader.
Be interested in what you are writing
One of the most influential things to affect your writing is the level of your interest in the topic. The best conversations are the ones, which involve people who are genuinely passionate about the subject of a talk. Although the author and ones readers don’t interact in real life, the engagement of the writer with the topic directly affects the tone of the article and, consequently, the way the audience will appreciate the narrative.
Use Active voice
Many inexperienced writers use passive voice constructions in their articles, mimicking the academic writing style acquired for numerous essays and research papers. However, exciting articles require a different approach, even if their subjects are complicated and imply complex reasoning. Passive voice, especially when it is used in non-academic texts, makes the writing sound dry and boring, whereas active voice makes the readers feel alert and immersed in the narrative.
Don’t Abuse Terms
Another relic of academic writing that is often transferred into writing blog articles is abundance of terms and professional slang. For some reason, many people think that using pretentious language will make them seem smart, yet it is proved that such method has the opposite effect. The oversaturation of the text with terms and definitions makes the readers feel tired and bored.
Stay Concise
Finding the optimum length of a blog post is something akin finding the Holy Grail: many people are trying to do it, and many people fail. However, (un)like the Holy Grail, the optimum length of a blog article simply does not exist: it depends on a topic and the amount of the ideas, which the author wants to share. Thereupon it is crucial to make sure that you have a clear understanding of what you are going to say, before you actually start writing. It can be quite useful to make a rough draft where you can list the ideas that you would want to include. Such approach will save you from excessive wordiness and wandering from one thought to another and back.
Divide the Text into Sections
Not only the text should be concise, it should also be well-structured. The perception of information largely depends on the type of a source, where the information is located. Unlike any printed sources, web pages call for a maximum division of the text. The solid walls of text look like an avalanche of information, making a reader doubt whether it is really that important to read to the end. It is highly recommended to use paragraphs, subheadings, lists, bullet points etc. to make the text look more reader-friendly.
Use Illustrations
A picture is worth a thousand words, yet it is way less tiring to comprehend. Illustrations, graphs, charts, infographics are the islets which are used to let the readers rest after exhausting drifts in the informational flow. They are the useful tools which help breaking the text into smaller, conceivable parts.
Proofread and Edit
No matter how concentrated and involved you were in the process of writing, the text will always benefit from a thorough revision. The best strategy is to set the text aside for a while and then give it a fresh look.
About the Author
Parry Swanson, enthusiastic reader, constant content writer and dedicated contributor to article writing service.
