How to End a Blog Post: 6 Ways to End a Blog Post
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Feb 24, 2022 • 2 min read
Blog post conclusions can be tricky, so it's worth considering some content strategy tips to determine what you should put at the end of a blog post.
Learn From the Best
What Is a Blog Post?
A blog post is a written entry in a weblog, or blog. Bloggers tend to write their posts using established publishing platforms, but others may build their own websites to publish blog content. Blogs can exist as open journals to prompt online discussion. Some news reporters maintain blogs that supplement their more formally published work. Some companies use blog posts as part of a broader content marketing strategy; by providing high-quality content with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind, businesses can inform potential customers about their products or services.
How to End a Blog Post
The end of your blog post is the last impression you will make upon your readers, and it may influence their opinion of the piece as a whole. Consider a few ways to craft a great blog post conclusion.
- 1. Prompt a discussion. When you reach the end of your blog post, ask readers to continue the discussion in the comments section. This can help enhance reader engagement and even lead to social shares on Facebook and Twitter. On the other hand, comments sections require moderation, so pursue this strategy only if you have the resources to filter out spam and bots.
- 2. Offer a cliffhanger. Some bloggers seek to ramp up reader engagement by leaving them longing for more. To do this, try teeing up some intriguing new information that you will reveal in your next blog post.
- 3. Issue a call to action. A call to action, or CTA, is a marketing strategy that professional content writers use to boost sales conversion rates. A CTA is appropriate when your blog exists primarily for content marketing purposes and you're trying to bring customers to your site so they'll engage with your product. A call to action doesn't always have to be an appeal for money. You can ask readers to opt-in to your email list or call a phone number to speak to a company representative.
- 4. Provide a summary of the post. You can use your conclusion as a chance to wrap up the core argument and summarize the main points of the post. Do this in a single sentence, a full paragraph, or a few key bullet points. If your blogging platform offers sidebars, you can also provide summaries in that space.
- 5. Link to related posts. Still another way to end a blog post is to steer readers toward more of the same type of content. Link to related posts on your same blog or network with other bloggers and use this space to steer readers toward one another's sites.
- 6. Offer digital downloads. If your publishing platform has the functionality for it, offer readers a way to download the most valuable parts of the blog post. This might look like providing a PDF of a grocery list, a recipe card, a summary of the article’s key takeaways, or an extensive report that explains all the details the blog post only touched on.
Want to Learn More About Writing?
Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including David Sedaris, Amy Tan, Roxane Gay, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Dan Brown, and more.