Write Your First Blog

This module is going to teach you the process for writing a blog.

  • Process for Writing

  • Optimize for Search Engines

  • Review

  • Edit Copy

  • Edit for Grammar, Punctuation, and Plagiarism

  • Next Steps

Click to download PDF.

Process for Writing

One goal in writing a blog is to help you build your expertise and confidence. The more time you spend writing on important topics for your niche, the easier it is to talk to your niche and show your value. 

  1. Outline the content. The first step in writing a blog is to outline your article. Your outline should follow the formula of introduction, three main points, and then a conclusion. Jot down the high-level bullet points you want to cover for each of those sections. You’ll also want to include supporting details, such as data, statistics, and other evidence.

  2. Record yourself discussing the topic. Next, record yourself talking through the outline, expanding on your bullets. Start with how you would introduce the topic. Then discuss each of your main points. Finish by recapping the key takeaways. When you talk through the topic instead of starting with a blank piece of paper, it provides a framework to start from. The writing process becomes much easier after that.

  3. Transcribe the recording. Once you have your recording, have it transcribed. We recommend a transcription service called Rev.com, but you can use any dictation software you prefer.

  4. Edit the first draft. The transcription will be the rough first draft of your article. From there, you can edit and fill in the missing details. 

Optimize for Search Engines

The next step is to optimize your blog for search engines. If you are not familiar with SEO, we offer a different training on this topic. If you are familiar with SEO, here is what you will do next. 

  • Include keywords in the title and paragraph. Put your primary keyword or phrase in the title and first paragraph. Then insert both your primary keyword and supporting keywords into the copy of the article. Use as many of your keywords as possible, but not to the point that your blog sounds unnatural. Avoid what is called keyword stuffing.

  • Localize your blog. If you’re localizing your blog, include your city or other local keywords where they naturally fit.

  • Add two internal links. Insert two internal links, which means you link to two other pages on your website. For example, link the term “investment management” in your article to your services page. You can also link to your other blogs.

  • Add two external links. Insert two external links to reputable websites other than your own. If you’re using another website as a source for information, then provide the link to the original website. You might also link a phrase that the reader would know little about to an article on the subject. For instance, you can link “asset location” to an Investopedia article on the subject.

Review

After you’ve written the first draft and optimized it for SEO, you’ll want to review your blog with the following questions in mind:

  1. Does your blog convey your main point—the reason you wrote the article?

  2. Do all the supporting ideas truly support the main point? Should some be cut?

  3. Is your article missing any points?

  4. Do the concluding paragraphs restate your main idea and supporting points?

  5. Did you include a call to action, such as an invitation to schedule an appointment? Does that call to action include a link taking readers directly where you want them to go, like your scheduling software?

Edit Copy

It’s time to take off your writer’s hat and put on your editor’s hat. This is where you make your blog reader-friendly—easy to read and comprehend. Keep these points in mind as you edit:

  1. Be as clear and to the point as possible.

  2. Remove jargon that’s common to your industry and replace it with the language that your ideal client would use.

  3. Make unclear ideas more specific.

  4. Cut the fat—don’t say in 15 words what you can say in four.

  5. Change cliches into original writing—cliches lack impact and will lose your reader’s interest.

  6. Read through your article one more time from the point of view of your ideal client and ask yourself if your blog will help them. Have you achieved your purpose in writing the blog?

Edit for Grammar, Punctuation, and Plagiarism

Grammar and punctuation are essential to clarity. If you have run-on sentences, your article will be hard to comprehend, and you’ll lose readers. You don’t need to be a grammar/punctuation expert, but do your best to make your content as readable as possible. Consider a grammar checker like Grammarly to help you.

Grammarly can help you avoid plagiarism too. It’s very easy to inadvertently plagiarize another website. Make sure your review process includes a check for plagiarism.

Click to copy Google Doc template.

Next Steps

We are here to review your first few blogs so that you can gain feedback and guidance on how to improve your content in the future. Our goal is to teach you exactly the skills you need to create really good content on your own. To submit your blog:

  • Write your blog using the Google Doc template.

  • Put the document in your shared folder.

  • Send us a message in Slack that your blog is ready for review.

We’ll get back to you within a couple of days with our feedback.