I'm sure you've heard about SEO marketing before but starting a blog for your business sounds intimidating and scary? Do you wonder if people will actually read your blog post? Are you scared of putting out content (that you've poured hours of work in!) in vain? Don't you worry because I'll show you how to write a blog post that actually converts in 5 simple steps.

Step 1: How to plan a high-converting blog post

So, how to write good blog content? Write what your audience wants to read. Instead of publishing post after post on topics that you think your audience will be interested in, take your time to find out what your audience actually IS interested in.

Research by doing keyword research, doing competitor research and "stalking" your audience. Look what your audience is asking on the web. Whenever you do a webinar or a live video, take note what people are asking! Collect all questions and over time you've got an amazing content bank for you to create content. This also helps you in creating content much, much faster.

After the initial research, you can plan your blog post. Create a rough structure with headings and subheads (so important!). By preparing a structure beforehand, you are able to write so much quicker. And you are able to write list-based blog posts (aka "X steps to xyz")! I like to pre-write my blog posts using Google Docs. By using annotations, I can note where I think an infographic or the usage of another medium would be suitable.

Your structure should also include questions to answer for your audience (most often one lengthy blog post can answer several questions!) and keywords to implement.

If you want to skip over this step, make sure to sign up for my SEO Strategy waitlist if you want to get your monthly SEO Strategy delivered to your inbox with well researched outlines for two blog posts each month (keyword research done for you as well!).

Step 2: How to write a captivating headline for your blog post

A captivating headline is so important for your blog post! More importantly is that you use a lot of headlines (yes, I want you to use subheads as well!) and you want each of them to be amazing! Here are some rules for you to watch out for:

Rule #1: Use How-To-Headlines (e.g. "How to write a blog post that actually converts)

Think about the last few times you've used Google. Have you typed in something like "How to xyz"? Yes? Because these search queries are super popular! Chances are that your audience wants to learn something (that you can teach!). By using How-To-Headlines you can generate a ton of traffic from Google by sharing your expertise!

Rule #2: Use Numbers (e.g. "9 Mistakes you need to avoid when writing a blog post")

Numbers are super effective in marketing. Especially if you use them negatively! Example for a positive use would be: "9 Steps to create xyz". A negative use would use words like "mistakes" or "avoid". Seeing these kinds of headlines will alert the reader...to click on the article and to read.

Rule #3: Don't Spoil!

The goal of your headline is to entice your audience to keep on reading. If they can get all the information of your article by reading your headline, they won't click on it to learn more. Be mysterious. Make the click worth it.

Step 3: How to write a SEO-optimized blog post

Now, you want your blog post to be seen by as many people as possible, right? And to get traffic from Google for weeks, months and years to come? Hell yeah! Let's get into SEO copywriting!

Rule #1: Structure your blog post well and use subheads

If you want to know how to write a blog post that actually converts, you should try to structure your blog post well. By using several paragraphs and subheads, you'll be able to make it easy for your readers (and for Google) to read your content. PS: To make it easy for you, you can book monthly SEO Strategy so I can do it for you! Sign up for the waitlist here.

Rule #2: Use the language of your audience

Make sure to use the language of your audience. If your audience aren't professors but you are trying to write an academic article, chances are that they won't read the article at all. On contrary, do not use vulgar language if you are writing for professionals to read! If you're not feeling sure, you can use this tool to check out the readability of your article.

Rule #3: Use keywords and synonyms

No article on "How to write a blog post" without mentioning keywords, am I right? Use keywords in your content after doing keyword research (or make it easy and get keyword research done for you). When using keywords, make sure to not stuff your content with keywords. You want your post to be readable! After all, you are writing a blog post for a human and not for a machine. Keyword density should be around 1-2%; you can check the keyword density with this tool.

Rule #4: Link to other content

Sharing is caring! Link to other content that you think might help your visitors. It is great if you have a few links linking to pages on your website as well as a few links linking to external sources. Maybe you want to include an amazing infographic from another blogger - do so and include their link! Chances are that they might share your website to their audience (a typical win-win-situation!).

By sharing links, you are adding value to your blog post. And with internal links you are able to let your visitor stay on your website for ages.

Rule #5: Use different media

Your blog post shouldn't be text alone. Use photos, images, infographics, podcast snippets and/or videos to liven it up! Do you want to know how to write a blog post that actually converts? Use media and make it shareable.

Step 4: How to use different media to make your post better and better!

A tutorial with photos in it will be shared more often than a picture-less tutorial, am I right? A blog post with a great infographic will be shared on different social media channels and will drive traffic back to you! Fun memes that you share together with your blog post will increase your reach! And adding YouTube-Videos on your blog post might rank you better on Google.

Have fun with different media and keep adding value!

Step 5: How to add a clear call-to-action!

This is something people forget so often. Don't end your blog post without an actual call-to-action. You want people to do something after they've read your article. Should they share your content? Do you want them to read an article that would be super helpful for them? Do you want them to grab your newest freebie? Or to join your Facebook group? Tell them! Add a couple of links at the end and wait for conversion to happen. If you don't ask, you won't receive anything.

So, now that you know how to write a blog post that actually converts, I'd love to help you with the work. Book your monthly SEO Strategy!