In a crowded blogosphere, you need to stand out. You will either succeed or fail depending on how much traffic you drive to your blog.
Creating irresistible blog posts is one sure way to drive traffic to your blog.
Since your end goal is to drive people to take action, the format of your blog article is essential. In fact, the format of your blog article plays a crucial role in getting people to read your content.
However, not all blog posts follow the same format. This can make it challenging to create engaging content.
Many formats are used in article writing, and mastering them will help you create more effective blog articles.
By understanding the different blog post formats, you will:
- Acquire new knowledge.
- Improve your audience engagement.
- Enhance your creativity and brainstorming.
Types of engaging blog article formats
There are a lot of ways to write an engaging blog post. But certain formats are more likely to be read and shared than others.
Here are some of the most popular blog article formats:
1. List Posts
List posts are a great way to engage readers and encourage them to take action. By providing a list of items, tips, or resources, you make it easy for readers to digest your content and take the next step.
When writing a list post, be sure to:
- Keep it focused: Choose a specific topic and stick to it.
- Make it scannable and correctly formatted: Organize your content so it’s easy to skim through. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings and subheadings.
- Use strong verbs: Use action-oriented language to compel readers to take the next step. Something like, “Jump on a call with your doctor to get the best medical advice on using this CBD oil,” will compel your readers to take swift action.
- Include a call to action: Give readers a specific next step to take, such as signing up for your email list or downloading a free guide.
12 Preventable Cancers is an excellent list post example.
The key to making a successful list post is ensuring it’s relevant to your audience and provides value. If you can do those two things, you’re well on your way to creating something that your readers will appreciate.
2. ‘What’ posts
A ‘What’ post as a blog article format can be a potent tool to compel readers to take action.
By clearly outlining what the reader can expect to learn from the article and then delivering on that promise, you can create a sense of urgency and encourage them to take the next step.
To make a ‘What’ post as effective as possible, your writing must be clear and concise. Be sure to focus on the main points and don’t get bogged down in the details. And most importantly, make sure that your article delivers on its promise!
You can benefit from these articles by attempting to grab Google’s attention for featured snippets.
Here’s a perfect ‘What’ article: What to Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams.
3. ‘How-to’ posts
Another great format to use is the ‘How-to’ post.
A ‘How-to’ post provides step-by-step instructions on how to do something and is usually accompanied by helpful images or videos.
When writing a ‘How-to’ post, it’s crucial to be clear, concise, and detailed. Start by outlining what you’ll be covering in the post, and then break each step down into easy-to-follow instructions. Be sure to include any relevant photos or videos that will help readers follow along.
Once you’ve written your ‘How-to’ post, end with a call to action that tells readers what you want them to do next. For example, you could encourage them to try the steps you’ve outlined, share the post with their friends, or leave a comment below.
As an example, check out How to Write Song Lyrics.
Conclusion
Whatever format you choose for your article, remember that the most important thing about any content is to always have a purpose behind it. If your blog posts aim solely to get more views and gain more traffic, or any other selfish reasons, that can damage the way people perceive you as a blogger or an authority on your topic.
Asking for too much commitment from your reader can come across as nagging, and writing about topics that are either too complex or that aren’t interesting or important enough to your readers will lead them to see no value in reading your articles.
Always remember that if no one is willing to act upon what they read on your blog, then it’s just meaningless fluff.
Click here for a detailed list of popular blog article formats.
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