How to Blog: A Check List

When I started blogging I had no idea how to blog.

I had things I wanted to say and I just wrote them. Which was fine, except that I wanted people to read what I had to say and hardly anyone did.

So I started to learn how to blog.

And through an awful lot of practice and trial and error and with the help of some amazing tips from other bloggers I've learnt how to write a blog post that actually gets read.

I am still learning. I make mistakes ... lots of them ... and every time I write a blog post I learn something new that I just wish I'd known way back.

But at the moment this is my complete check-list for everything you need to do when you write a blog post to get it read by as many people as possible ...

.... although, of course it's not complete, so if you've great tips of your own, do add them ...

Pick a subject you care about that is some combination of topical, important, commercial, funny
Identify key words readers use to search for that subject
Put the key words in your blog post title
Include the key words in your opening paragraph
Stick to your subject
Keep your paragraphs short
Edit blog post permalink so it is short + includes key words
Take a fab photo or source a stock photo with a creative commons licence
Rename the photo to include the post key words
Optimize photo for Pinterest so longer than it is wide e.g. 600 pixels x 900 pixels
Brighten and sharpen your picture in e.g. PicMonkey
Add a compelling, "read me" title to the picture - probably different from post title
Place title so a square, e.g. 600 x 600, including title can be linked to link parties
Use bright colours to make your picture title stand out
Include your blog water mark on your picture
Include any necessary copyright attributions on your picture
Add pictures to your blog post, including key words in the Alt text
Link back to picture source if using under creative commons
Label blog post with relevant categories for your blog - don't have to be key words
Include a Pin It button on the post
Add a description to your Pin It button which includes key words using hash tags and a reference to your Pinterest name e.g. @mumsmakelists
Include link backs within the blog post text to other relevant posts on your blog
Include links within the blog post text to relevant posts from other bloggers
Include a Follow Me button or Follow this Board widget somewhere in the post
Include if you enjoyed this post you might like these image links at bottom of the post
A bit controversial but include text links to link parties you plan to link to, particularly if they insist on this to get featured ....
Proof read your post
Leave your post for at least 15 minutes - then go back & shorten it
Proof read your post again
Publish or schedule your post ... proof read again & correct errors
Link back to your new post from other posts on your blog
Wait until after 8pm EST to pin your post to ONE board for optimum visibility
Pin your post to other boards on other days at different times
Tweet your post with a compelling, read me title & a shortened link
Directly tweet any other bloggers who you have linked to in your post
Schedule 3 to 4 more tweets for your post at different times on different days
Share your post publicly on Google
Include any bloggers you have linked to in the share list
Share your post on Facebook referencing any bloggers you've linked to in the post
Link up your post at link parties as early as you can

To add a tip, click the Add Link button, put your tip in the name field and if you like add a URL to a blog post or your favourite social media account. Your e-mail will never be disclosed. Try to keep your tips short, punchy & helpful :-)

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