Dos and don'ts of blogging

Blog readers skim. A post either earns their attention fast or loses it. These dos and don'ts are what makes a post read to the end.

Do

• Do write a specific, promise-y headline. "How to stop wasting the first hour of your writing day" names a problem and a benefit. Skimmers need that hook.
• Do get to the point. A brief introduction that puts the reader in the problem. Skip the long preamble about writing.
• Do structure with headings and short paragraphs. Use headings, bullets, and short blocks so a skimmer can get the gist. Walls of text lose readers.
• Do give a concrete takeaway. A named, specific plan or number the reader can act on beats generic advice.
• Do end with a next step. A call to action — a related guide, a question, a subscription.
• Do make it genuinely useful. A post that solves a real problem gets read and shared; one that is thin filler does not.

Don't

• Don't use a vague headline. "Writing Tips" or "Thoughts on blogging" gives the reader no reason to open.
• Don't pad with an intro that goes nowhere. "In today's fast-paced world, writing is more important than ever" — cut it. Start with the problem.
• Don't write walls of text. Long paragraphs without breaks are hard to scan and lose mobile readers.
• Don't stuff it with generic advice. "Write clearly, be consistent, know your audience" — everyone can say that. Be specific and original.
• Don't keyword-stuff. Writing for search engines instead of people produces unreadable posts that rank poorly and please no one.
• Don't forget a point. A post that says nothing useful is not a post worth keeping.

The quick test

Could a reader skim only the headlines and bullets and still get the main idea and the takeaway? If yes, the structure works. If no, add clearer headings.

Checklist

• My headline is specific and promises a benefit.
• I got to the point quickly.
• I used headings, bullets and short paragraphs.
• I gave a concrete takeaway.
• I ended with a next step.
• The post is genuinely useful and specific.