When local Scottsdale business owners ask me how they can improve their websites’ ability to rank higher in Google search results, I recommend that they write an original blog article that answers what potential customers are searching for. Moreover, I emphasize that what they write must be as accurate and trustworthy as possible.
The web is full of blog articles that never get ranked in Google. That’s in part because millions of new blog posts are published every day, and Google must determine which ones provide the most value to its user base. If you want to write a great blog post, you don’t need to wait for a lucky spark of creativity. You just need a simple, step-by-step system that respects your reader’s time and gives them real value.
Here is the easy guide to making your writing clear, exciting, and helpful.
Know What Your Reader Wants Before You Start
When it comes to blog articles, one of the biggest mistakes people make is writing about what they want to say rather than what the reader wants to know. Before you type a single word, ask yourself:
What Problem is My Reader Trying to Solve?
Usually, people search the web for a few simple reasons:
- They want to learn how something works.
- They want step-by-step instructions to do a task.
- They want to compare two products before spending money.
If a reader wants a quick recipe for chocolate chip cookies, do not start with a long story about your grandmother’s childhood. Give them what they came for right away. When you give people exactly what they are looking for, they will stay on your website longer.
Write an Exciting Opening That Makes a Promise
Your title gets people to click, but your very first paragraph decides if they stay. Most people decide within 10 seconds whether an article is worth reading.
To keep them on your page, your introduction needs to do three things:
- Show that you understand their exact problem.
- Give them a reason to trust you.
- Tell them exactly what they will learn by the end of the post.
Skip the AI sounding openings like “Since the dawn of time…” or “In today’s busy world of…” Get straight to the point. If you cannot explain why your article matters in the first few sentences, you need to redo it so that it does.
Make Your Layout Easy to Scan
People rarely read web pages word-for-word. Instead, their eyes quickly skim down the page. They look at headings, bullet points, and the first few words of a paragraph. If your article looks like a giant wall of solid text, people’s eyes may glaze over and they may leave.
To make your article easier to skim, you can try these simple formatting tricks:
Use Clear Headings
The titles of each topic/section, called headings, should act like signs on a highway. A reader should understand the main points of your whole article just by scrolling through and reading the headings.
Keep Paragraphs Short
Try to make your paragraphs only two or three sentences long. This leaves plenty of white space on the screen, which feels much easier on the eyes.
Use Bold Words and Lists
Use bold fonts to highlight important points and information so they stand out during a quick scroll. Use bullet points to break down lists.
Share Your Own Real Experiences
With AI tools available to everyone, basic facts are easy to find. Anyone can write a generic list of “Tips to Save Money.” To write a better article, you need to share things that a computer cannot invent which are your own life lessons, personal stories, and honest mistakes.
Instead of just stating a fact, tell a quick story about how you learned it. Share a real-world example, talk about a time you failed, or show how you work behind the scenes. Readers do not want robotic summaries. They want to hear from a real person who has actually done the work.
Cut Out Excess Words
Good writing comes from careful editing. A common myth is that longer articles are always better. In reality, people prefer articles that give the most help in the fewest words.
When you edit your draft, look for words to delete:
Remove Filler Words
Words like very, totally, basically, completely, and just can make your sentences weak. Instead of writing “So basically, it is very important to carefully check your work,” simply write “It’s a good idea to check your work.”
Mix it Up a Little
Read your article out loud. If every sentence is the exact same length, it sounds like a boring drone. Use short, sharp sentences mixed with longer ones to keep the reading smooth and interesting.
Help People Find Your Article on Google
An amazing article is useless if nobody can find it. Write for people first, but organize your text so search engines can see what your page is about.
Put your Main Topic in Important Spots
Make sure your main subject phrase appears naturally in your title, your opening paragraph, and at least one subheading.
Use Related Words
Do not just repeat the exact same phrase over and over again. Use natural, related terms and answer the common questions people ask about your topic.
Link your pages together
Link to other helpful websites to back up your facts, and link to your own older articles to keep readers exploring your website.
EMAIL US