Description

Blog Learn the Basics Search the web within the Co-Writer. Highlight text to insert, summarize, or paraphrase it. Blog Post Templates There are many different types of blog posts, but listed below are the templates for the four most common: The List Post The Step-by-Step Guide The Beginner’s Guide The Expanded Definition The List Post This is a classic blog post template, often known as the "Listicle". It usually comprises a list of anywhere between 10–30 items that have a reason to be listed (such as tips, techniques, myths, strategies, etc.). This type of list is usually used for displaying non-chronological information. To use this template: Title Your title should be numbered for the number of items listed in the article. There must be a specific benefit or purpose for your article to make it compelling. Your title should be attention-grabbing. Possible examples "X Important Tips to Achieve [Desired Outcome]" "X Reasons Why [Problem] Still Persists Despite All Your Attempts" "X Myths You Need to Stop Believing" Introduction Your article should begin by establishing trust with the reader by introducing the problem the reader has and proving the benefit the reader will get from reading your article. Your introduction should be as short as possible. It is advised to include a linked table of contents with jump links so readers can skip right to the tip that interests them if they would like to. Subheadings These are important to give readers an overview of what that specific section is about. They also break up your content into manageable chunks. Subheadings should be descriptive and reveal a clear benefit. This will boost the perceived value of each section to help grab readers’ attention to read the section. It is up to you to choose whether or not to number your subheadings. Subheadings should be in head level 2 format. Action Items Action items are sometimes overlooked in how important they can be. These are the steps a reader will have to take to complete or achieve each item on your list. Including action items is simple: just include the step-by-step information to help readers follow your steps. Often it is helpful to include photos or video visuals. Conclusion It is important to wrap up your blog post. You can decide how you want to do this, but most lists end by listing a few more final tips. Your conclusion should leave readers wanting to actually use the information they have received from your blog. You can also encourage them to interact with your post, such as liking, sharing, and commenting. The Step-By-Step Guide This is a guide that follows a series of steps chronologically to ultimately achieve a desired outcome. These guides are invaluable for people wanting to learn how to do something that needs to be done in a specific order. To use this template: Title Your title, very simply, needs to include the phrase "How to" to communicate with readers that this is a step-by-step guide. Make your title interesting by providing some context. Examples include: "How to [Achieve Desired Outcome] Even if [Problem]" "How to [Achieve the Desired Outcome] and Still [Additional Benefit]" Introduction To establish trust and credibility, it is recommended that your introduction use the PSP technique. This is where you outline the problem that your readers are facing, which you are talking about. Then, you pose a solution to this problem and back it up with the proof of your experience with using this solution successfully. For instance, putting the PSP technique into action would look like this: Problem: "Have you been trying to [insert problem readers are facing]?" Solution: "The answer is to [insert solution]." This is how our team managed to solve our problem of [insert how the aforementioned problem affected your team]. We now [include results of using said solution successfully]." Subheadings Use Heading Level 2 for your subheadings. Subheadings are very useful in breaking down your content into manageable portions; for Step-By-Step Guides, they help divide the process into steps to be followed chronologically. These steps should be numbered. It is recommended that each step begin with a verb in the present tense where possible. For example, "Step # 1: Wake up in the morning. Step # 2: Drink a glass of water. Step # 3: Meditate. Step # 4: Have breakfast. " Conclusion At the end of your guide, summarize the process you just explained. This will help refresh your reader’s knowledge. Keep your conclusion concise and to the point. The Beginner’s Guide This is a very popular blog format as it functions as a comprehensive but not intimidating educational resource. It needs to be written in a beginner-friendly manner, including everything a beginner would need to know. To use this template: Title It is important that your title immediately appeals to beginners. While indicating what topic your blog will be covering, you should include the words "Beginner’s Guide" or "for Beginners" to indicate that your article is geared towards beginners. Possible examples "Essay Writing Tips for Beginners." "A Beginner’s Guide to Blogging" Introduction Your introduction is very important. You will need to make sure you reinforce why your beginner readers need to know whatever it is you are writing about. You must: Encourage your reader: acknowledge that the topic may be complex and that while beginner guides are long, explain that the topic is not as hard to grasp as they would think. Use simple language: explaining terms simply from the outset allows readers to feel at ease knowing they will not have to face complex terms and jargon before they are confident in themselves. Outline your content: This allows readers to get a preview of your content to see the benefit of reading your blog. Topic Overview This is where you go through everything your reader will need to know and other questions they may want answers to, too. Use subheadings to separate your main ideas or answers to questions into manageable sections. It is advised to use Heading Level 2 (H2) subheadings for each subsection, but for sections that require longer explanations, H3-6 subheadings under each H2 will break up the content further into smaller steps. Smaller steps are easier to follow. Conclusion In your wrap-up, you can leave the beginners' links to more resources and further reading. Of course, feel free to remind readers how good a resource your guide is and how important your topic is. Thus, leaving some final words of encouragement can be a good way of concluding your article, leaving beginners well equipped to continue to learn more. The Expanded Definition This type of blog post is an in-depth explanation of the meaning behind a word, thing, or concept. These types of posts are invaluable as they help readers understand what certain things are, what their features are, and why these things are important. To use this template: Title Simply begin your title using the "What is/are" format. It is recommended that you add context to make your content interesting. For example, "What is [the concept] and why is everyone talking about it?" "What is [the term]?" A quick introduction Introduction Begin your blog with the definition of your concept. You can include a picture of the results of a Google search for the term if you would like. You can elaborate on this definition yourself—whatever it takes to make sure that your definition is comprehensive and easy to understand. This section would be a few sentences long. Expansions The remainder of your article should now go ahead and elaborate on the concept/term you are discussing. Think of other questions related to the concept that readers might have following learning its definition. It is recommended to use the ‘People Also Ask’ function available in Google to get a sense of what follow-up questions people may want answers to. Compile a list of them and answer them in subsections using Heading Level 2 subheadings. This will break up the content into manageable sections. Conclusion This would be a brief wrap-up paragraph that summarizes the key takeaways of the article. You could link to further resources on the topic, which will encourage readers to broaden their understanding of the topic.