Most of you don't write because you don't know what to write about, you want to publish something awesome (and that's hard!), or you don't have time.
This deck will teach you how to overcome these hurdles with tips for brainstorming, writing and editing.
You'll be on your way to an awesome blog post in no time!
23. Pique interest in the topic.
Quickly share what the reader
should expect from the post.
State your thesis, or your main
argument, in one sentence.
INTROI.
24. Make sure every part ties back to the
thesis.
Choose a logical order for arguments
(chronological, strength 2-1-3).
Support arguments with other
research, linking to similar articles.
BODYII.
25. Don’t just summarize; offer a new
idea.
Discuss nuance and caveats.
Broaden the argument, and leave
the reader with something to think
about.
CONCLUSIONIII.
26. Keep in mind, great blog posts are
OPINIONATED
HELPFUL
SPECIFIC
27. Share a view of the world
and defend it.
OPINIONATED
31. Style Tips
I.
PARAGRAPHS
Vary length
from 1 to 4
sentences.
III.
WORDS
Don’t get fancy.
You’ll sound
like an asshat.
II.
SENTENCES
Keep them
short, with 1
idea each.
32. Remember, reading on the web is
different from reading print.
Think like a designer.
Does the shape make you want to
read it or scare you away?
PARAGRAPHSI.
36. SENTENCESII.
Because Mary had three little lambs,
she had to build an irrigation system
to make sure her grass was watered
and green to feed them, which was
super expensive due to the drought.
37. SENTENCESII.
Too Many Ideas in One Sentence!
Because Mary had three little lambs,
she had to build an irrigation system
to make sure her grass was watered
and green to feed them, which was
super expensive due to the drought.
38. Mary had three little lambs, but she had
trouble feeding them.
The drought had dried up her farm, leaving
no green grass for the lambs to nosh on.
Mary looked into buying an irrigation
system, but they were expensive due to the
high demand in dry conditions.
One Idea Per Sentence.
39. Don’t get too stuffy.
Write how you’d explain it to a
friend.
Read it out loud.
WORDS3
42. Process Tips
I.
IDEATING
Start with a
conversation,
an email, or an
outline.
III.
EDITING
Edit first for
structure, then
for grammar
and style.
II.
DRAFTING
Write a
horrible first
draft as quickly
as possible.
43. Don’t make writing a big deal. You’ll
psyche yourself out!
At the start, it’s just an idea of an
idea. No pressure!
IDEATINGI.
44. Here are some helpful
techniques for overcoming
writer’s inertia.
53. Block off 1 hour.
Edit for structure: order of
arguments, what should be
there or not.
EDITINGIII.
54. Send to someone for
20% feedback.
We got this idea from 42Floors. Ask for the right level of feedback for the
place you’re at in a project. 20 percent feedback should focus on structure of
ideas and merits of arguments. 80 percent feedback is for style and polish.
62. Think of 1-3 ideas you might
want to write about.
63. finished a project?
learned something new?
created order out of chaos?
looked for a resource but couldn’t find a good one?
been asked the same question?
developed a strong opinion?
been fascinated by something?
Have you
66. GO TO YOUR CALENDAR
RIGHT NOW.
BLOCK OFF THREE HOURS
FOR THE FIRST DRAFT.
67. And there you have it folks,
you’re on your way to writing
an awesome blog post!
68.
69. I created this deck to inspire and motivate our team to
share what they learn through writing.
I hope you find it helpful, too!
If you have any ideas, tips, or suggestions to add,
hit me up at @dianahsmith or diana@segment.com.
I’d love to hear them!
Hello there!