Blog Post Outline: 5 Tips for Creating a Blog Post Outline

A blog post outline serves as a roadmap for a piece of writing for a blog. This outline—which includes the points you want to make, how you want to organize your text, and the format you want to use (list, long-form, etc)—can help keep you organized or guide you when you have writer’s block (which can happen to all bloggers, not just beginners) or are stuck in the writing process.

Here are the essential elements of long-form blog posts:

1. 1. Title or headline: A strong title is crucial to make a reader click on your post. A good blog post title grabs readers’ attention and features target keywords (words or phrases readers enter into a search engine).
2. 2. Subheading: Include a short line of text underneath the title to further focus the topic. This provides readers with more detail about the article's focus.
3. 3. Images: Successful blog posts feature an eye-catching image near the top to anchor the text. You can also include images in later sections of your blog, like infographics or photographs related to the topic.
4. 4. Body text: The most crucial element of a great blog post, the body is where you dive into the problem or question your piece of content answers. In your intro, mention the key points of your blog topic. Quality content also includes internal links to take readers to other related blog posts on your site. Internal linking also helps optimize your post for search engines. (It is a technique used in search engine optimization, or SEO, which drives organic traffic.) Do keyword research to discover which topics readers find interesting, and incorporate those main keywords into your writing. During the outlining and writing process, keep your word count in mind; this will determine how long or short to make the body of your first draft.
5. 5. Sources: If you used external research sources or case studies in your blog posts, cite them in the text or include the sources at the end of the post.
6. 6. Author bio: Include your author bio on the page, so interested readers can learn more about you and discover more of your work.

Blog writing is personal and can take a wide variety of forms. Here’s a step-by-step process for outlining your blog post:

1. 1. Start with a hook. Brainstorm a first sentence or subheading that is eye-catching, short, and memorable. Start with a description of the problem or a rhetorical question for your readers. Your title should also draw readers in, but don’t worry about the post title early in the outlining process—use a working title to save time while you outline and work on the first draft.
2. 2. Set up the purpose. All blog posts have a purpose—whether that’s persuasive (proving a claim) or informational (offering knowledge on a topic). State your purpose early in your intro so readers know what to expect from your blog content. The introduction sets the tone for the blog post and offers vital background information or historical context for your target audience.
3. 3. Explain your connection. Blogs feature more personal writing, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and explain why you’re writing on the specific blog topic. Readers want to know you’re qualified to write about the topic, so offer some of your background or personal experience with the topic to make a personal connection and establish your credibility.
4. 4. Outline key info with bulleted points. A blog outline helps you see how to order your main points and where you can break information into sections with subheadings. Outline your main points in a bulleted list to decide the best order for the information and to avoid writing fluff that doesn’t relate to your argument.
5. 5. Wrap up with a conclusion. When you conclude your blog post, offer readers a key takeaway or call to action (called a CTA). End with a memorable final line—something hard-hitting or clever that ties your work up neatly or a question for further discussion in the comments.

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