The 7 points of a perfect post [Infographic]
How do you write your perfect post?
This question has been eluding bloggers for as long as blogging as been around.
The trouble is, there is no hard and fast answer. All you can do is to glean ideas from others and then make up your own mind.
This is why I created an Infographic that shows you 7 points that will help you make a start:
And here’s some code you could paste into your own posts (via the text mode) if you want to share this Infographic with your readers.
1. Awesome headlines
Of course every perfect post needs to have awesome headlines! That’s a given. You’ve probably had that drummed into you since you started blogging.
However, I’ve created another Infographic on this subject that goes into it in more detail, to be included in Post #2. Writing your perfect post’s headline is not like producing something that will instantly go viral (in your dreams!). It’s a lot more involved than that.
A headline will only be attractive to the right kind of reader, so make sure you know who you are writing for. And you also will need to know why you are writing for them, and what both of you can get out of doing this.
2. Proper introduction
The first paragraph is second most likely to be read (after the headline) than any other part of your perfect post.
So it needs to create a good impression. Sometimes this could be make or break as to whether the reader continues reading the remainder of what you have written. It could be the best post in the world, but unless there is appropriate coercion to encourage the reader to continue, they may never know.
This is probably the trickiest portion of your perfect post. If you focus on it properly and get it right, the dice have a higher chance of falling in your favour. Post #3 has its own Infographic that covers this.
3. Pertinent Images
I always make an effort with the images for my posts. Yes, I know it’s difficult to always use free examples, but it’s worth finding a suitable image site and redesigning its products with the various editing sites available nowadays.
A good picture can say 1000 words, as so can a well designed Infographic (see Post #4). A clever combination of imagery and words can make a perfect post far more noticeable and infinitely shareable.
This is definitely a must-have if you want to appeal to visual readers, not to mention those who prefer to scan posts before deciding whether they should be read or even bookmarked for later.
4. Poignant purpose
When I first started blogging, I had no purpose. I suppose it was an exercise of first getting to understand WordPress and second to work on my writing skills.
So as a result I went round in circles, not to mention not knowing who my ideal reader was. Once I realised my mistake and rectified it, my blogging become meaningful, and ultimately more rewarding.
The Infographic for Post #5 reveals the benefits of working with a proper purpose to make your prefect post worthy, focused and successful. Now you can stop chasing your tail and go forward down the correct road again.
5. Suitable content
Now we come to the crux, the meat and two veg, the real core of a perfect post. And your ideal reader will be safely ensconced here if the first four items have worked their magic correctly.
Now you can get down to business. But even so, there are a few tips and tricks that are worth heeding to if you want to make the best impression here, which is unveiled in the Infographic in Post #6.
It’s all about making it as easy as possible for your post to be read, understood and responded to, which is what is covered in the next section.
6. Crafty call to action
Not only should you be writing a perfect post, but a clever one too. Now you need to combine your hook with your purpose to lead your reader towards your main goal.
There must be countless posts written without a call to action. Make sure your post isn’t one of them. The Infographic in Post #7 will give you to a few pointers for you to consider when implementing this important part of a post.
Remember readers are oblivious to their duty after reading your posts, so a well placed reminder can make all the difference.
7. Editing aftermath
If you think this means your mouse or cursor instantly needs to reach for Grammarly, please hang fire for just a moment. There’s other work to be done first, as the Infographic in Post #8 will show you.
To ensure you have really completed a perfect post, it needs to be completely checked first from all angles. And the best way to do this is to put yourself into your reader’s shoes and experience it from their point of view.
After all, they are the reason you wrote this post in the first place. Always have the end in mind, even before you start, so that once you finally get there, you will have reached your ultimate goal.
Now it’s your turn
If your objective is to achieve a perfect post this year (and why stop at one?), then continue this series with my next set of posts which have been written to cover each of the 7 points in more detail.
And remember to let me know what you think in the comment box below…
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Alice, you’ve managed to explain so many complex things with such easy words! Now I have less blind spots in my blogging. I’d add #8 to your list of points: original vision of mind in your post. Even if you’re writing about a common topic, you could create a masterpiece.
I found an online tool with a free version that allows to check blog posts for originality. It can be found here: https://unplag.com/free-plagiarism-checker. It shows web pages that have the same content as the post you’re checking. Useful tool for shaping your own writing style.
But writing a perfect blog post is not only about right word choice. You need also to add your personal touch to your words and sentences.
Thank you for your comment Annie, and for that tip for a plagiarism checker. This is a big problem within the blogosphere, with lazy people lifting stuff from other blogs. However, curation is a valuable method of obtaining ideas from what other people have written, and the real art is to rewrite what you have gleaned in your own style and point of view.
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Thanks Alice for such a nice article! You know, the infographics were always more interesting to read than simple articles. The thing is that most infographics attract the reader\’s interest from the first look and you continue to keep it under review. Not only the images must be spectacular but the text also. It\’s important to create it short but informative and original.
Thank you for your comment Sarah, I’m glad you like my Infographics.