Blogging is an essential element in your social media outreach. The first quarter of the year is always a good time to kick off ideas to regenerate or just goose you to update what you are doing in the blog world.
Here is a quick 6 step formula to rock your blogs:
1. Have a central idea or concept that you want to jump on.
Ideas are everywhere—sometimes even standing in line at the grocery story or observing fellow movie goers. You may get a blog from someone that you can jump on and reinforce, counter or use as a pivot point to go in another direction. Ask yourself:
- What got my attention?
- What can I add to/expand/counter to this topic/situation?
- What personal stories/illustrations can I use to enhance the idea?
2. Develop an outline of your article
Always a good idea, create a plan so you have an idea where you are going with your blog. Think of beginning middle end. Sometimes, I start with the “end” and then close it to reinforce the point/concept. Blogs are should be like a delicious sandwich—something to hold the “meat” between the bread—chewing points, aha quotes/statements, tips, factoids, tactics, tricks, a little color to enhance the flavor.
3. Write ugly and fast.
Once you’ve got an idea of what you are doing … walk away and do something else. Then, come back to it and write fast—forget editing, spell check and anything else. Just do a brain dump. Don’t make the opening perfect—it will stall you … that’s what the fine tuning will do AFTER you have the ugly draft done. And write when you are fresh—if AMs are your “hot time” … so be it. Middle of the night – go for it.
4. Become a ruthless editor of your own work … if it’s not critical to your concept, delete, delete, delete.
Gulp, the average reader is down to the 5th grade level. Keep it simple. Vary your sentences. Short and long. Don’t get caught up in paragraph perpetuity … cut them up. When done, reread and do it out loud.
5. Don’t forget key words that tie into your target market.
Yep, it’s SEO time … use phrases, key words that are specific and search friendly for who you are writing for.
6. When you are done … let your followers know that it’s out.
Announce any new postings on all your social media platforms using hashtags and link back to your website.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a 
membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2016, the dates are June 23-25th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.