Blogging for Beginners: Day 4

Creating Engaging Content, Blog Post Categories, Getting Ready to Launch

Welcome Back To Day 4

Congratulations on making it through Day 3 of our course. I know the technical aspects can seem challenging, but you’re doing great! Remember, I’m here to help if you need anything. I’m glad you came back for the fourth day.

Today, we’re going to dive into the heart and soul of your website – the content. As a new blogger, you might be wondering:

  • What should I write?
  • How should I write it?
  • How can I make my content appealing and engaging to readers?

We also are going to cover choosing categories for your content and adding those to your blog. At the end we will talk about bringing your blog live with just your home page, about page, contact page, privacy policy and one blog post!

Buckle up, because we’re about to explore all of this and more and it is a lot of content!

Table of Contents

Knowing Your Audience

On Day 1 and 2 we talked about figuring out who your audience is. Before your fingers hit the keyboard and you begin crafting content, it’s crucial to know who you’re talking to. This exercise not only helps you create more impactful content but also allows you to build a deeper connection with your readers.

This is a good time to bring out those notes about who your readers are!

Choosing Your Blog Post Topic: The Sweet Spot of Content Creation

Selecting a blog post topic is a delicate balance of your passion, audience interest, and SEO trends. It’s about finding that sweet spot where your interests, your audience’s needs, and what Google likes intersect. We talked about this on Day 2 so let’s refresh your memory.

  • Discover Trending Topics: Use tools like RankIQ to uncover trending topics in your niche that are easy to rank for on Google! RankIQ’s AI-driven library makes it easy to find hot topics that your audience cares about.
  • Keyword Research: Key Search is another tool for unearthing those golden keywords that can boost your blog’s visibility. Remember, the right keywords are your ticket to showing up in those search results!
  • Some free options you can use for coming up with your blog post content are: Google Keyword Planner, Mangools, and Keyword Chef.

Required Pages for Your Blog (and How to Craft Them)

As you build your blog, there are some key pages that are vital to include. These pages not only provide essential information to your readers but also help to build trust and connection. Let’s explore them:

Click on each to expand the text.

more on essential pages

Your About page is more than just an introduction; it’s where you forge a connection with your readers. It’s the bridge that turns casual visitors into loyal followers.

What to Include on Your About Page:

  • Your Name: This is your first handshake with the reader. Ensure it’s clearly displayed and easy to remember.
  • A Personal Photo: Adding a photo adds a personal touch, making you more relatable and real to your audience.
  • A Brief Bio: Share your story. What’s your background? What drives your passion for blogging? Let your personality shine through.
  • Your Motivation for Blogging (Your Why): What inspires you to blog? This insight helps readers understand and resonate with your purpose.
  • Your Goals: Share what you aim to achieve with your blog. Whether it’s to educate, inspire, or entertain, let your readers know.
  • Contact Information: Include easy ways to connect with you – email, social media links, or link directly to your contact form.

Your Contact page is a crucial component of your blog. It’s the gateway for readers, companies, and potential collaborators to connect with you directly. Let’s ensure it’s inviting, clear, and functional.

What should you include on your contact page?

  • Start with a warm, friendly paragraph that sets the tone for communication. For example:
  • “Hello there! I’m thrilled you want to reach out. Whether it’s your thoughts on my blog, questions, or collaboration ideas, I’m all ears and can’t wait to hear from you!”

Contact Options:

  • Contact Form: Embed a contact form for easy messaging. It’s a user-friendly option that keeps communication organized.
  • I like using Kadence blocks for the contact page! These are built into the Kadence Wp theme and easy to add for a contact page. There are also plugins you can use for this like the Fluent Forms plugin.

Social Media Links:

  • Provide links to your social media profiles. This offers an alternative way for your audience to engage with you and follow your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section (Optional):

  • If you often receive similar questions, an FAQ section can be a time-saver for both you and your visitors. Address common queries related to collaborations, your blogging niche, or any general inquiries.

Privacy Policy pages are essential for legal transparency, especially if you’re collecting any form of user data (for an email list for example). It reassures your audience about their privacy on your site.

Why a Privacy Policy is Essential?

  • Legal Protection: It outlines how you handle personal information, safeguarding both you and your readers legally.
  • Building Trust: Transparency about data handling builds trust with your readers.

Free Privacy Policy Generators:

Adding the Policy to Your Blog:

  1. Create a New Page: Follow the steps in the “How to create a new page in WordPress” section below.
  2. Add Your Generated Policy: Copy and paste your generated policy into this new page.

A Note on Legal Advice:

Remember, a free generator is a starting point. For specific legal concerns or a tailored policy, consulting with an attorney is advisable.

Once you are ready to monetize your blog I suggest going with a paid privacy policy and terms and conditions generator. For all of my website build clients I recommend using Termageddon. Termageddon stays up date with the law and updates the polices for you! This tool will cover all of the following legal pages for you:

  • Privacy Policy Generator
  • Terms & Conditions Generator
  • Disclaimer Generator
  • EULA Generator
  • Cookie Consent Solution
  • Cookie Policy Generator
  • Automatic Updates & Email Notifications

Termageddon Discount!

Grab my Termageddon discount for 10% off your first year with my referral link and discount code “MONICA”. The pricing for Termageddon works out to be just $12 a month or $119 a year. Its worth the piece of mind to know that you are blogging legally!

How to Create a New Page in WordPress

  1. In WordPress Dashboard, go to Pages and select Add New.
  2. Title Your Page (e.g., About, Contact, Privacy Policy).
  3. Add Your Content using the tips above.
  4. Publish when ready.

Remember, these three pages are not just formalities; they are opportunities to build trust, transparency, and connection with your audience. Take your time to craft them thoughtfully, and they will serve as solid pillars supporting your blog’s growth.

Start on these three pages before you dive into your blog post content (more on this below).

Structuring Your Content: Pillar Posts and Content Buckets

Now that we’ve talked about the essential pages you need lets jump over to your blogging content!

Creating a blog isn’t just about publishing random posts; it’s about crafting a well-thought-out content strategy.

That’s where the concept of “Pillar Posts” and “Content Buckets” comes in. It’s like building a tree – your Pillar Posts are the strong branches, and the Content Buckets are the leaves and fruits that grow from them.

Why Pillar Posts?

Pillar Posts are comprehensive, in-depth posts that cover a broad aspect of your niche. They’re the foundation of your blog’s content strategy for several reasons:

  • SEO Benefits: Pillar Posts are rich in keywords and cover a wide range of related topics, making them an SEO powerhouses (i.e. the secret sauce you need to rank on Google! More on this later).
  • Authority Building: They establish you as an authority in your niche, showcasing your knowledge and expertise.
  • Audience Engagement: These posts provide immense value, keeping your audience engaged and returning for more.

How to Set Up Pillar Posts

  1. Identify Broad Themes: Start by identifying broad themes or topics within your niche. These should be areas you’re knowledgeable about and that your audience is interested in.
  2. Comprehensive Coverage: Each Pillar Post should provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. Think of it as a one-stop resource for your readers.

Getting Blog Post Ideas from Pillar Posts

Once you have your Pillar Posts, you can break down each into several smaller, more specific topics. These are your Content Buckets. Each bucket can give rise to multiple individual blog post ideas.

Example: For a Travel Blog

For a travel blog I would setup a few pillar sections (i.e. Destinations, Travel Tips, Cultural Insights). From there you can start building your content around each pillar. Here’s an example below using European Travel.

  • Pillar Post: “The Ultimate Guide to European Travel”
  • Content Buckets:
    • Destinations: “Top 10 Hidden Gems in Italy”, “A Weekend in Paris: The Must-See Spots”
    • Travel Tips: “Packing Smart: Essentials for European Travel”, “Budget Travel: Exploring Europe without Breaking the Bank”
    • Cultural Insights: “Culinary Delights: Exploring Europe Through Food”, “Festivals of Europe: A Guide to Cultural Celebrations”

Example: Party Planning Blog

For a Party Planning blog I would build out my topic areas (or pillars) to include items like Themes, Decorations, Entertainment, etc. From there I write one post that will be longer than the others to encompass the other blog posts/topics I plan to cover. Here’s an example below.

  • Pillar Post: “The Complete Party Planning Guide”
  • Content Buckets:
    • Themes and Decoration Ideas: “10 Trending Themes for Children’s Birthday Parties”, “DIY Party Decorations on a Budget”
    • Organization Tips: “Your Checklist for a Stress-Free Party”, “Creative Catering Ideas for Your Next Event”
    • Entertainment and Activities: “Games and Activities for Memorable Parties”, “Hiring Entertainment: Bands, DJs, and Performers”

Creating Your Content Calendar with Pillars and Buckets

With your Pillar Posts and Content Buckets in place, you can now easily populate your content calendar. This approach ensures a balanced mix of in-depth, authoritative posts and more specific, targeted articles. It keeps your blog fresh, relevant, and comprehensive, catering to a wide range of reader interests within your niche.

It also keeps you organized! No more wondering about what to do next on your blog!

Creating Categories in WordPress

Now that you have your pillars and categories you will want to add those into WordPress and then into your menu. In this video I walk you through how to complete those steps. Written instructions are below.

How to Add Categories in WordPress

  1. Navigate to Your Dashboard: Go to the ‘Posts’ tab and click on ‘Categories’.
  2. Create New Categories: Click on ‘Add New Category’, then name it based on your Pillar Post themes, like ‘Destinations’ or ‘Travel Tips’.
  3. Describe Your Categories: Though optional, adding descriptions helps both readers and search engines understand what your category is about. RankMath can also help you with the schema on these items.

How to Add Categories To Your Menu

Here’s a short video to walk you through the steps on how to add your categories to your WordPress menu using WP Kadence with written instructions below.

Step 1: Access Your WordPress Dashboard

  • Start by logging into your WordPress Dashboard. This is your control center for everything on your blog.

Step 2: Go to Menus

  • Navigate to Appearance on the left sidebar and click on Menus. This is where you’ll create and edit your site’s navigation menus.

Step 3: Select Your Menu

  • You’ll see a list of menus you’ve created. Select the menu where you want to add your categories. If you haven’t created a menu yet, click on Create a new menu.

Step 4: Add Categories to the Menu

  • On the left side of the Menu Editor, you’ll find a tab labeled Categories. Here, you’ll see a list of all the categories you’ve created.
  • Check the boxes next to the categories you want to add to your menu.
  • Click on Add to Menu. Your selected categories will appear on the right side, under the menu structure.

Step 5: Organize Your Menu

  • Once your categories are in the menu, you can drag and drop them to organize the order in which they appear. You can also nest them under other items to create dropdown menus.
  • For example, under a main menu item “Travel,” you can nest categories like “Destinations,” “Travel Tips,” etc.

Step 6: Customize Labels (Optional)

  • If you want, you can change the label of any category in the menu. Click on the category item in the menu structure to expand it, and edit the Navigation Label. This won’t change your category name, just how it’s displayed in the menu.

Step 7: Save Your Menu

  • Once you’re happy with the arrangement and labels, click Save Menu. This will update the navigation menu on your blog.

Step 8: Preview Your Site

  • It’s always a good idea to preview your site to ensure everything looks as expected. Navigate to your homepage and check out your new menu. Make sure all links are working correctly and the layout is user-friendly.

Types of Blog Posts

Now that we have our pillar posts, categories, and menu ready its time to start thinking about the type of blog posts you want to write. Mix it up with different types of posts to keep things interesting. Here are some examples of blog posts you can write below.

  • How-to/Tutorials: Like “How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Kids’ Party”.
  • Listicles or Roundups: “Top 10 Must-See Destinations in Europe”.
  • Case Studies: “How I Organized a Wedding in Under a Month”.
  • Personal Experiences: “My Journey Backpacking Across South America”.

Writing Engaging Content: Captivate Your Readers

  • Hook Your Readers: Start with something that grabs attention.
  • Keep It Digestible: Use subheadings and lists for easy reading.
  • Your Voice Matters: Write like you talk – be relatable and authentic.
  • Add Value: Share unique insights or actionable tips.
  • Proofreading: Always give your post a good polish before publishing. Use the free version of Grammarly to edit your blog posts! Sign up here.

Blog Post Structuring Template

When you start your blog you’ll want to have your reader come back for more of your content. In order to captivate your readers, follow these guidelines for creating engaging content:

  1. Catchy Title
  2. Engaging Introduction
  3. Well-Organized Subheadings and Sections
  4. Informative Main Content
  5. Relevant Images and Graphics
  6. Internal and External Links
  7. Concise Conclusion
  8. Clear Call to Action
  9. SEO-Friendly Meta Description

Keyword Research with Rank IQ and Keysearch

Now, while it’s great to identify trending topics, it’s equally important to find the keywords associated with these topics – this is where keywords come into play. Keywords are the phrases or individual words that users type into search engines when they’re looking for content like yours. Many bloggers will say you can learn SEO and keyword research later in blogging. I disagree! I think its import to have a foundation to know how to make your blog successful.

There are two tools I love for this task! Keysearch and RankIQ are an incredibly user-friendly tools that let you uncover low-competition, high-volume keywords in your niche. By targeting these keywords, you significantly increase the chances of your blog post appearing in the search results when these phrases are queried, leading to more organic traffic to your blog (without having to pay to play).

To make keyword research easier I suggest using these powerful SEO research tools – RankIQ and Key Search, to guide you on your journey. You can definitely start with a free option but if you are ready to invest you can get started with Key Search today! Use code “KSDISC” for 20% off of any subscription or get started with RankIQ for 50% off the monthly membership using this link below to kick start your blog post creation process.

Keysearch is a easy to use web based keyword research tool. Get started today! Use code “KSDISC” for 20% off of any subscription.

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RankIQ Demo

RankIQ is an AI-powered SEO tool built just for bloggers. It tells you what to put inside your post and title, so you can write perfectly optimized content in half the time. RankIQ contains a hand-picked library with the lowest competition, high traffic keywords for every niche.

This video will walk you through a quick demo of what’s inside RankIQ if you are interested in investing this keyword research tool. Not only does RankIQ give you low competition, high volume keywords readily available to you, it also helps you to optimize your blog posts. This tool is more than just a keyword research tool! Its all in one and catered to beginning bloggers.

A Quick Dive into SEO

While we’re discussing content, it’s essential to touch upon a critical aspect that often mystifies new bloggers: SEO, also known as Search Engine Optimization. We’ll dive deeper into SEO in a later module, especially when we talk about driving traffic to your blog. However, it’s important to introduce it here because it’s integral to how you should format and structure your blog posts.

What is SEO?

SEO is the art and science of making your website more visible and attractive to search engines like Google. It’s about understanding what people are searching for online, the words they’re using, and the type of content they wish to consume. By optimizing your content for these factors, you increase the chances of your blog appearing in search results, leading to more traffic and visibility.

Why is SEO Important in Blog Posts?

  • Visibility and Reach: Good SEO practices help your content rank higher in search results, making it more likely for people to find your blog.
  • User Experience: SEO isn’t just about pleasing search engines. It’s also about creating a positive user experience. Well-optimized posts are typically more user-friendly, readable, and engaging.
  • Long-term Benefits: Unlike paid advertising, the benefits of SEO are long-term. A well-optimized post can continue to drive traffic to your blog for years.

SEO in Content Creation

As you create content, keep SEO in mind:

  • Keyword Usage: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your post. (No keyword stuffing!)
  • Quality Content: Focus on creating valuable, informative, and engaging content.
  • Structure and Formatting: Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, short paragraphs, and a table of contents to make your content easily scannable for both readers and search engines.

Covering SEO Later

Don’t worry if this all seems a bit overwhelming right now. We’re going to break down SEO into simple, actionable steps in a later module. SEO isn’t just for experienced bloggers! Its also important for beginners to know what it is and how it works.

Interested in making SEO easy peasy? Sign up for RankIQ for 50% off today and use the power of AI to help you find low competition, high volume keywords that you can rank for even as a beginning blogger!

Writing Engaging Content

Now that you have your topic ideas and categories it’s almost time to start writing. Before you write your blog post you want to outline your post.

How to Outline A Blog Post

Developing an outline might seem annoying at first, but worry not, I’m here to guide you through it.

By learning to outline your blog posts, you’ll be setting yourself up for blogging success. It streamlines the writing process, elevates the quality of your content, and ultimately, ensures that your readers receive a clear, well-structured, and engaging content.

Here’s a Blog Post Template to Follow:

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to structure a blog post with a example from my travel blog! The post topic is a roundup post of the Top 10 Hidden Gems in Italy.

  1. Title/Headline
    • “Top 10 Hidden Gems in Italy: Discover the Unexplored”
    • The title is catchy, includes a number for a listicle, and is SEO-friendly with keywords like “Hidden Gems” and “Italy”.
  2. Introduction
    • Start with a hook: “Imagine wandering through a picturesque Italian village, untouched by the hustle of tourists.”
    • Introduce the topic: “Italy is more than just Rome, Venice, and Florence. There are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.”
    • State the benefit: “This post unveils the top 10 lesser-known yet breathtaking spots in Italy for an unforgettable experience.”
  3. Subheadings and Sections
    • Use subheadings for each hidden gem, like “1. Alberobello: The Trulli Town”, “2. Procida: A Colorful Island Escape”.
    • Each subheading introduces a new location, making the post easy to scan.
  4. Bulleted or Numbered Lists
    • Under each subheading, use a bulleted list to highlight key features, like “Alberobello:
      • UNESCO World Heritage site
      • Famous for its unique trulli buildings
      • Lesser-known yet charming destination”
  5. Main Content
    • Provide detailed descriptions under each subheading.
    • Include historical insights, things to do, local cuisine, etc.
    • Use transition sentences like, “From the trulli of Alberobello, let’s journey to the vibrant island of Procida.”
  6. Images and Graphics
    • Include captivating images of each location.
    • Add an infographic map of Italy showing where each hidden gem is located.
    • Ensure all images have alt text for SEO and accessibility.
  7. Internal and External Links
    • Link to your own blog posts like “A Guide to Italian Cuisine” (internal link).
    • Include external links to tourism websites or travel guides for each location.
  8. Conclusion/Summary
    • Recap the main points: “These 10 hidden gems offer an authentic Italian experience away from the crowded tourist spots.”
    • Encourage exploration: “Italy’s charm lies in its hidden corners – each waiting for you to discover its story.”
  9. Call to Action (CTA)
    • “Planning your next Italian adventure? Check out our comprehensive travel guides for more insider tips. Don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments!”
  10. Engagement Tools
    • Include social media share buttons.
    • Add a comment section for readers to share their favorite Italian destinations.
  11. Meta Description and SEO
    • “Explore the top 10 hidden gems in Italy with our exclusive guide. Discover off-the-beaten-path destinations for an authentic Italian experience.”
    • Ensure the post is optimized for keywords like “hidden gems in Italy” and “Italy travel guide”.

Getting Ready to Launch Your Blog

Once you have your first blog post you are ready to launch your blog! At this stage you have a few more technical tasks you need to complete.

To start you can remove your coming soon plugin and get ready to go live. Here is a checklist of items you’ll want to walk through:

  1. Disable the Coming Soon Plugin
  2. Add in the FlutentSMPT plugin – this helps you to send emails from your website for your contact form and password resets
  3. Install Google Site Kit – this plugin will install your Google Tracking code for you!
  4. Install RankMath – this plugin helps you send your meta data to search engines and indexes your blog posts instantly
  5. Once you have RankMath configured you will want to take your sitemap code from Rank Math and add this to your Google Search console. This helps Google to index your website.

You’ve Completed Day 4!

Fantastic work today! You’re now equipped with the tools and knowledge to create content that resonates, engages, and most importantly, gets noticed. Tomorrow is all about expanding your blog’s reach – we’re going to delve into the world of email lists and traffic-driving strategies.

Your homework tonight is to outline a blog post you want to add to your blog! And start writing. Remember that you can bring your blog live with just one blog post!

As always, if you hit any bumps along the way, drop me a line. I’m here to help you navigate this exciting blogging journey!

See you in the next module!

Back To Day 3
  • Disclaimer: I use affiliate marketing in this course! the main reason I can keep this resource free is I rely on reader support through affiliate marketing. if you use one of my links to purchase a product or service I RECEIVE a small COMMISSION at no additional cost to you