How to Write a Blog Post Outline
Blogging as a content method is a fantastic way to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world. But before you can start sharing your expertise, you need to have something to share! That's where a blog post outline comes in. Having a plan for your blog post ensures that your thoughts are organized, and your writing flows smoothly. This blog post will show you how to write a blog post outline step-by-step.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Outline Your Blog Posts
If you're curious whether or not you should take the time to outline your blog posts, the answer is a resounding yes! Here's why:
A blog post outline will help you arrange your thoughts.
It's too easy to start writing about one thing and then get sidetracked onto another topic entirely. Creating an outline ensures that everything you want to include in your blog post is accounted for from the start.
An outline will give your writing structure.
Just as an essay needs an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, so does a blog post. An outline helps ensure that your blog post has a beginning, middle, and end. Otherwise, you run the risk of rambling on without ever making a point.
A blog post outline will save you time in the long run.
Writing a detailed outline may take some time upfront, but it will save you time in the editing phase because your thoughts will already be organized. And trust us, taking the time to edit your blog posts is essential if you want people to actually read them!
How to Write a Blog Post Outline in 5 Steps
Creating a blog post outline doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, once you get into the habit of doing it, it'll become second nature! Follow these five steps every time you sit down to write a new blog post:
1) Choose Your Blog Post Topic/Title
The first step is always choosing what you're going to write about. Ideally, your topic should be something that's currently relevant and that people are interested in reading about. Once you've chosen a topic, develop a catchy title that accurately reflects what your readers can expect from your article.
2) Write Your Blog Post Introduction
The introduction is where you'll hook your readers and give them a taste of what's to come. Start by clearly stating what your article will be about and why it's important/interesting/etc. Then, give a brief overview of what readers can expect from the rest of the piece.
3) Write Your Blog Post Body Paragraphs
This is where you'll flesh out the main points of your article in more detail. Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that states which point you will be discussing. Then, provide evidence or examples to support that point; this could be data from research sources, anecdotes from real-life experiences, etc. Be sure to transition smoothly between each paragraph so that your article flows well as a whole.
4. Write Your Blog Post Conclusion
Just as every good essay needs a conclusion, every good blog post needs one too! A conclusion provides closure for both you and your readers; it's where you summarize the main points of your article and tie everything up neatly into a bow. As with introductions, ensure each conclusion reflects the content of its corresponding body paragraphs.
5. Edit & Proofread
Lastly, don't forget to edit and proofread your article before hitting “publish!”
A well-written article free of spelling and grammatical errors is crucial if you want people to take you and your content seriously. I love using Grammarly and run all my blog posts through Grammarly Pro.
Conclusion
Following these five simple steps, every time you sit down to write a new blog post will ensure that your thoughts are organized. It will also ensure that your blog post flows smoothly from beginning to end. Not only will this save you time in the editing phase, but it'll also give your readers exactly what they're looking for — clear, concise information that's easy on the eyes.
So what are you waiting for? Get started outlining your blog posts today!
