Do you feel uncomfortable with the mere suggestion that it is possible to write a blog to a formula? Many writers do. It’s like painting by numbers or using a colouring book instead of just drawing freehand. It’s an automatic creative fail, isn’t it?
I want to let you in on a secret here. Creative people work to formulas. At least, that is where they start the creative journey. The wildest abstract painter – Jackson Pollock, the artist who painted the image for this blog – started by learning to draw live models, a tried and true step that every artist takes on the path to self-expression. (click the link, to see one of his early life drawings)
Once I share this formula with you, you will see it everywhere. Most readers, however, are unaware of it. It ‘just makes sense’ to us. It is only when a blog deviates that we ask questions. We think, hey, something is missing here or we get a little indignant with the blogger thinking they are taking us for granted.
And, once you know this formula, you can write your blog quickly and easily every time. After a while, you’ll know how to play with the formula and make it your own. And, I will show you the common pitfalls.
Enough said. Here it is:
My super simple blog formula
Step 1: State a proposition. A proposition is defined as: ‘a statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion.’ It must be about an issue or problem that your readers care about.
Step 2: Explain why it matters.
Step 3: Spell out to your readers how they will benefit if they understand the issue you have raised. There are four benefits we all want: more money, more time, more happiness, greater status. For example, in this blog, the benefit for you is happiness, isn’t it? You will enjoy writing your blog, and find it easier if you write to a formula at least in the beginning. Saving time is a secondary benefit.
Step 4: Make two or three points about your proposition. It’s a good idea to address the most likely criticism of your idea full on. I have done so in my heading. My three points in this blog are that:
- formulas work, which is why famous people use them
- they are a stepping stone to a more creative approach to writing your blog
- there are risks in using formulas, but I am going to address them, so you won’t fall into them.
Step 5: Write a conclusion, which is a paragraph that sums up the main points, names the potential barriers your reader might face, and then inspire them with a challenge to start taking action.
If you feel a bit constrained by the formula, here’s a simple way to vary it: use stories, questions, anecdotes, examples, or data to make your initial point.
For example, I could have started with a story about how I was stuck writing my blog today, and then a remembered to follow my own formula! Or I could have started by saying that there are 2.5 million blogs published every day, and I can guarantee that the ones that get read follow this formula. I used Jackson Pollock as an example of my point.
Here’s my conclusion
If you want to have more fun writing your blog, try following my simple formula. You’ll find it so much quicker and easier; you save time and angst.
Whenever you are stuck, follow this simple formula:
- proposition
- importance of the point
- the benefit to the reader
- three points about it, including addressing critics
- conclusion
Let me know how it goes.
PS: Want more? You might like: Time to Write: Lessons from Officeworks’ Content Marketing Campaign