How to Win at Writing News Posts

The Sprocket Report

If you sheepishly admit you haven’t blogged for a while, you know you should and you know you need a new approach. Try this step-by-step process:

First, here’s the brief overview for WHY you should make the effort of posting blog and news articles:

• Your website builds informative content for humans
• Your website builds search terms for search engine robots
• You have something to share on social media
• You have something to share with news outlets
• Shared content with your URL builds backlinks to your website
• Widely shared content builds brand awareness
• Comments, Likes and Shares build bigger audiences
• Content answers prospective clients’ FAQs 

And there are plenty more good reasons, but let’s move on to the HOW of writing posts.

Stick to a schedule

You may have written three excellent posts in 2015, but someone looking at your blog page today might think you went out of business three years ago. You’d be better off writing three blog posts and scheduling one every year. 

But challenge yourself to write monthly or at least every-other-month. You can do 6-12 posts! Consider breaking a post into two parts, like an “Avengers” movie, and get two posts with the effort of one. Linking one part to the next is also a swell SEO tactic. 

Start a topic list

It’s frustrating to stare at a blank keyboard. Your mind reflects that blankness and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, keep an online (or physical) note with possible topics you could write about. 

Here are some topics to get you started: Events, Holidays, Seasons, Customer FAQs, Trending news in your field, Case studies, Client news, Successes and challenges – that should keep you busy for a while.

Write an awesome headline

People scan. (You do it, too – admit it!) This may be your only chance to make a good impression. Motivating someone to read the rest of your article is the goal, but leaving behind a positive “marketing touch” isn’t a bad runner-up.

After you write what you think is an awesome headline, try one of the many free Headline Analyzers online to see how well you did and how to make it better.

Publish on your website first – then share

You should always be the original publisher of your own content, so post first on your own blog or news page. You can then share that URL on your social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Write a new, intriguing introductory sentence when sharing.  

If appropriate, your news post could also be a press release. Pass along the story and the URL where you posted it with both online and offline news outlets. If they publish it, you can then share that bit of news in your social media as well. And they might even ask to do a follow up story of their own. 

Yes, there’s an overwhelming amount of content on the internet, but you can’t win if you don’t play. Your clients and customers are looking for you – make it easier for them to find you by stocking your website with searchable, accurate and timely content. 

Looking for further assistance? We have more information to share on suggestions for a better blog and uses for your blog. Or if you would rather hand off the task entirely, take a look at our marketing packages. We’re happy to help in any way we can!

Kate GingoldKate Gingold

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

Other posts by Kate Gingold

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Full biography

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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