The only thing holding me back from making my website live is the fact that it’s still empty! So, this week was finally the time to get writing. But how exactly do you go about writing your first blog post? Using the skills I’ve gained from my past roles as a journalist, content creator, and magazine editor, I’ve not only written my first blog post but also prepared a step-by-step tutorial to help you craft your own.
Step 1 – Choose a Topic
Obviously, my blog is a travel blog, and the main countries I want to focus on are the UK, Spain, and Italy—places I’ve lived in and travelled extensively. From experience, the best blogs combine articles on commonly asked questions and more niche content. For my first post, I focused on Barcelona, a popular destination within my focus area. I narrowed it down further to visiting bars in the El Born neighbourhood, where I lived. This approach allows me to blend personal expertise with a topic that appeals to a broad audience.
Step 2 – Pick a Key Phrase
Choose a key phrase that people might search for to find your article. For my post, I went with “The Best Bars to Visit in El Born.” This phrase captures the essence of my article and serves as a searchable term. Aim to include your key phrase two to three times throughout your post. You can also use it as your title if appropriate.
Step 3 – Start Writing
For your first article, I recommend keeping it short and to the point. In my article, I chose the three best bars in El Born, in my opinion, and wrote a concise paragraph about each, explaining why I selected them. This keeps the content focused and digestible for readers.
Step 4 – Choose a Feature Image
Adding an image to your article enhances its appeal and helps readers visualize what you’re describing. Be sure to use your own photos or free, high-quality images from sites like Unsplash or Pexels to avoid copyright issues. For example, in my article, I use one of my own photos of a Barcelona bar.
Step 5 – Use Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks are great for boosting SEO. Link relevant words or phrases to external sources or other parts of your blog. In my case, when I mention Bar Paradiso, I link directly to their website, offering additional value to the reader – exactly like I have done here! If your blog is posted to your own website it is also a good idea to use internal hyperlinks that link back to other posts on your website to increase traffic flow.
What do you think? Are these the five key steps to writing your first blog post? I’ll be posting my finished article in the next few days, so stay tuned to see how it turned out.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for next week’s post!
Missed out? Click Below for Chapter 3