Here’s a checklist that I created for myself on things to do and things to check for before hitting the “publish” button. I’m sharing it with you in the hopes that you’ll find this Blogger’s Checklist useful.
- Write something useful that provides value and will enhance my readers’ life.
- Write something unique.
- Add an interesting image.
- Don’t tell them what to do, tell them how to do it.
- Is my title catchy?
- Does the first paragraph catch my readers’ attention?
- Check spelling.
- Check grammar.
- Make sure it’s concise. Does anything need to be cut out?
- Did I use headers and formatting to make the post easy to scan (bold, CAPITALS, italics, underlining) to emphasize points?
- Have I left enough white space to give my readers a visual break?
- Do any paragraphs need to be shortened?
- Have I written on this topic before and can I link to it?
- Can I link to any other blogs that have written about this (give my readers added value and create goodwill with other bloggers).
- Did I include categories?
- Have I credited sources of quotes and inspiration?
- Are there any facts that I need to check?
- Did I ask my readers a question at the end of the post? Did I invite them to join in the conversation?
- What keywords will people search Google for on this topic? Have I optimized the post for those words?
- Did I check all the links to make sure that they work?
- Did I add my name at the end of the post?
- Did I read the whole post through to make sure it reads well from beginning to end?
- What keywords am I targeting?
What did I miss? Please add your insights in the comments section below.
(“Checklist”; courtesy of weddingmusings>)
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{ 23 comments }
Wow.
I don’t think I can add anything!
Awesome list. Saved.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..10 Bizarre Ads: What Were They Thinking?
Hi Vered: I hope the list is helpful for you
I agree with Vered. I like how the list is both practical as in step by step how to, but also includes style and theme reminders.
Cheers,
Alex
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndromes last blog post..The Simple Life: Nicole Stevens Interview
I SO need to make myself a checklist like this. I don’t think you missed anything, so I think it’s copy and past time. Thanks.
Mare,
Great list, thank you. I think the problem I have is that I spend a lot of time writing a post, but it is time I really don’t have with my day to day work. So I rush it.
Maybe with this list, I can slow down and not want to hit that Publish button so fast.
~ Jim
Jim Gaudets last blog post..PLEASE!!! Stop Re-Shouting Me
I printed this for reference so I won’t forget anything on my next post. I loved this list.
Laurins last blog post..Over at Blissfully Domestic This Morning…
@Alex: I worked for the US government for a while (Panama Canal Commission) so I’m big on checklists and standard operating procedures
@Writer Dad: By all means, copy and paste
@Jim: I know what you mean about wanting to hit the publish button after spending a long time writing a post. You just want to get it out there.
@Laurin: Thank you, enjoy it
That’s a detailed one. Don’t know whether you use tags but that’s one more item on the list.
I have adding some posts at end of each post on my list as well.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..How To Pick Your First Anger Management Area – Anger Management Series Part IV
Hi Avani: Tags, that’s going on the list, thanks!
Wow, this is a great reference list Marelisa! I’m printing this one out so I can review some of these items before I publish. Thanks!!
Lances last blog post..Winds of Change
Fine list of points on how to write a winning blog post, Mares. I don’t really have anything to add except that I read through my post ALOUD to make sure it’s okay. When you see the number of actions it takes to complete a post you can really see that writing is just one part of it. I find all the other stuff is what takes the longest. Especially finding the right photo (I am really picky about this), putting in links and working out how to lay the post out to optimize chance of people reading.
Great job. Stumbled
Kelly
Hi Kelly: Reading the post aloud is a good point. Sometimes that’s where you catch problems with the flow of the post that you don’t notice when you just read it silently to yourself. Thanks for the stumble
Hi Lance: Great, if you think of anything else that should be added later on feel free to come back here and share it in the comments section.
If you can, have someone else check your post. I miss errors, I’m immune to them, I don’t see them. Sometimes I have someone read it over before (and sometimes after – shame) I hit publish.
Naturals last blog post..Do Excuses Negate Responsibility?
Hi Natural: Another set of eyes is certainly useful. After looking at the same thing a couple of times the brain tends to mentally “fix” errors so that you don’t actually see them.
Hi Marelisa – Perfection! Sheer perfection! Need I say more?
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..NBOTW – Helping You – Helping Others
Hi Barbara: THANK YOU!
Thanks for answering my question on Twitter. This post exactly the resource my mind was reaching for.
Hi Richard: Glad to be of help
I am impressed with your list and frankly, overwhelmed. Thinkin’ perhaps I need to quit my day job just to be a better blogger. So much to do….so little time.
Hi Christa: Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming to read other people’s lists, but if you use it as a model and come up with your own list you’ll see that creating a “process” will be very helpful for you
I am gonna print this out and keep it next to my computer. I am always having to go back and edit b/c of unseen typos….this list should help. Thanks
Hi Meredith, I’ve found that having this checklist and going through it before publishing my posts has been very helpful
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