How to Write a Good Blog Post
As Youth Pastor Theologian continues to expand our team of writers, I keep talking with youth workers who have something valuable to contribute who say something like, “I’m not a writer. I wouldn’t know where to begin.” Here’s a collection of lessons about blog writing that I’ve learned by writing blogs over the past twelve years. These will help you write better for blog readers, whether it’s for YPT or for another site. If you’re interested in writing for YPT, please review our Submissions page for guidelines and article ideas.
Be Relentless About Your Main Idea
People read blogs quickly. Researchers have tracked blog readers’ eye-patterns and found that people read websites in an F-shaped pattern. They read the opening lines, then a few keywords in the middle of a page, then quickly scan through the bottom. This is why subheadings and short paragraphs are helpful in retaining your readers’ attention.
This is especially important for those who are used to academic writing. Your blog post is a blog post. It’s not a research paper where you’re making an air-tight argument. In my opinion, good blog posts should be between 500-1200 words. Good blog articles have one key idea/theme, and it is relentless about prioritizing it from top to bottom. If you write a good article, there will be more opportunities to expand upon it later.
Flow Towards Your Main Idea
Now that you have one main idea, you’ll need to settle your approach. Is the blog post a list of bullet points, or is it a story that illustrates and then draws a conclusion at the end, or is it more like a traditional three-point sermon? There are many effective ways for you to make your point. Whatever approach you decide to take, try to make it flow naturally.
Think about your audience (YPT = youth workers who want to build on a biblical/theological foundation), and consider what they care about, are anxious about, and what they already know. Then, determine the best way you can help them see what you see and understand what you’ve understood.
Write for the Reader, not Yourself
Writing is an act of servanthood. Self-indulgent writers are those who write without consideration or care for their readers. They demand their readers to accommodate to their writing-style rather than learning how to write in a way that naturally communicates with readers. This is why it’s difficult and takes a long time to become a good writer.
Saying something brilliant that’s misunderstood is bad communication. Good communication (whether spoken or written) is always about saying what you have to say in a way the other person will understand.
Don’t be Impressive
Your professor isn’t reading your blog post. It’s not going viral. You aren’t getting a book contract based off this article.
Once again, blogging is an act of service. Write to help your readers. Stop putting so much pressure on your blog post to be the definitive guide to whatever you’re writing about. It’s one valuable contribution to a much bigger conversation. Don’t try to be impressive, just be helpful.
Have Something Worth Saying (then say it well)
With all this said, blogging is worth it. You really can bring about meaningful change and encouragement through a well-written blog post. But, usually, it’s one step in a long staircase. If there’s something worth saying, then say it… and say it in a way that your audience will understand what they’re supposed to do with it.
Give it a Title the Reflects Why Someone Should Read it
People do judge books by their cover. And people judge a blog post by its title. If you want someone to know what your article is about and want to read it, then give some attention to its title. Don’t use a click-bait title that tricks readers into reading - that’s dishonest. But don’t choose a title that’s so descriptive it makes no connection with reader as they yawn-scroll past the link.
TLDR
Good blog posts are built around these central questions:
What’s my main idea/theme?
Why should my audience care?
How can I help my reader understand this?
If your article addresses these questions then you’re well on your way to a good blog post that serves your reader.
