How to write your first blog post
Part 1: The process
You want to start a blog but everytime you think about what to write, how you’ll publish it and where to even begin you get overwhelmed- and then do nothing at all. When something is unknown we are faced with uncertainty, anxiety and it can get in the way of thinking clearly and knowing where to start.
Here I share some tips on the process of writing and publishing a blog post so that you can find a structure that works for you .
Don’t get caught up on the platform.
People can get too caught up on the logistics. What platform to use etc. the benefits vs features of different platforms etc. It can be overwhelming and it often stops people from moving forward. Even the most basic websites tend to have blogging capabilities either inbuilt or something you can add on.
Write first, figure out the rest later. Once you write something you’ll feel more motivated to publish it.
2. Write first, edit (and research) later
If you plan to tackle a big topic or something that requires research to back up your claims, write what you know first. Get down what you know about the topic in your own words and then research. Researching can be a rabbit hole which leads you to lots of fascinating tangents away from writing. If you know you need a statistic or a research link, then do it at the end, because it is these additional tasks that can make blog writing overwhelming and distract you from finishing the piece.
Let the topic lead the research. Once you’ve written it you’ll know what gaps you need to fill it. It’s important to back up our professional writings with research but don’t let that get in the way of finishing your piece. When we are led by research the writing takes a more formal, academic path. When we start with our own voice, writing what we know in our own words, it’s more conversational.
You can’t publish something you haven’t written, so get writing first! Research and edit it later.
3. Break it down into small, manageable tasks.
Writing a blog post isn’t as simple as jotting down your thoughts and then hitting “publish” on a platform. There is a step-by-step process and the more practice you have with doing it, the more familiar and easier it becomes. Using a checklist like the one below can help you stay on track:
Edit your blog post- ensure you add links (internal and external).
Format the blog post on your publishing platform- ensure you have a mixture of headings and sub-headers, dot points for readability and small, readable paragraphs.
Add an image- Inserting 1-2 images can help break up the text, make your content more readable and makes the post more attractive when you share it on social media.
Call to action- Make sure you have a call to action. What do you want people to do once they’ve read your blog post? Book an appointment with you? Read your about page? Join your workshop or therapy group? Let them know where they can find more information and link them to the relevant page on your website.
SEO- Don’t forget the SEO section on the backend of your blog post. Most blogging platforms and websites have a section where you list a title, description and an image that search engines use to help people find your article. You don’t have to get too caught up with keywords but think carefully about what people might be searching for. For example, if you’ve written an article on why teens experience social anxiety, then put yourselves in the potential readers shoes. What would they type into Google? An example might be “why do I feel anxious in social situations.”
Hit publish! (or schedule your post).
Share with your network- Yes, you have to let people know that you’ve written this thing!
Start writing your next blog post. Once you become invested in another blog post you’ll feel less emotionally invested in the first one. It’s a great way to let it go. It's out there, now work on something else.
4. Batch writing (or batch publishing)
I’ve shared previously how you can batch write your articles to save time but you can also batch publish your articles and save time.
The idea behind batching is sticking with one task at a time and finding your groove so that it moves faster. Rather than writing, editing, then formatting, uploading and publishing one article. Write a few articles at a time. Edit them all at once. Then upload and format them altogether.
This way you’re not switching between tasks or tabs and you can move through the tasks more quickly.
Trust the process
Once you break down the underlying structure and process of writing and publishing a blog post, you make something unfamiliar, familiar. It becomes something you can tackle, rather than an idea where you have a vague sense of what happens between the time you write a blog post and hit publish.
While publishing your words for the first time may feel scary, it can also be a rewarding experience. You can share something you feel passionate about, educate people on important topics and make connections with like-minded people. Blogging is also a longform marketing tool for your private practice or small business.
Blog templates and resources
If you like the idea of structuring your blog post, check out my blog template for psychologists, therapists and health professionals. It provides step-by-step guidance on structuring your ideas in a readable, easy format. Available for purchase in my online store.
Want blog post ideas so you can batch write your articles and get ahead? Bundle up and save with my blog template and 101 blog prompts for therapists eBook. Available for purchase in my online store.
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