Tired of Writing Blog Posts No One Reads? Here’s How to Fix That

New to blogging and want to learn how to write blog posts that people want to read? You are in the right place, continue reading!

You spend hours crafting the perfect blog post. It’s researched, well-written, and packed with value.  But after hitting publish, it feels like your effort disappears into the digital void.  

Capturing attention in today’s crowded online world can feel impossible.  Imagine if your blog became a magnet for passionate readers, sparking conversations and boosting your business.  

That vision is absolutely attainable, and it starts with mastering the art of writing blogs that people crave.

Understanding Your Ideal Reader: The Foundation of Blog Posts People Crave

Defining Your Ideal Reader

Imagine you’re having a conversation with just one person – your ideal reader. Give them a name, a detailed backstory, and flesh out their personality.  Go beyond basic demographics:

• Pain Points: What are their biggest struggles, frustrations, and fears related to your niche?
• Goals and Dreams: What do they truly desire to achieve or transform?
• Obstacles: What’s holding them back? Is it lack of knowledge, time, resources, or something deeper like self-doubt?

Where to Find Them

Your ideal readers are actively discussing their problems and desires online. Here’s where to tap into these conversations:

• Social Media: Join relevant Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, or follow niche hashtags on Twitter and Instagram. Pay attention to trending topics and the kind of posts that garner high engagement.
• Forums: Industry-specific forums (like Reddit) and niche forums offer a wealth of unfiltered insights into your audience’s mindset.
• Q&A Sites: Quora, specific niche Q&A platforms, and even comment sections of competitor blogs reveal the burning questions your audience has.
• Competitor Analysis: Observe your successful competitors. What topics do their top-performing blog posts address?

Empathy is Key

The best blog posts don’t just inform, they connect emotionally. Truly put yourself in your ideal reader’s shoes:

• Their Language: Notice the specific words and phrases they use when describing problems or dreams. Use this authentic language in your own writing.
• Their Emotions: Do they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, excited? Understanding their emotional state helps you tailor your tone and content.

Extra Tools

• Surveys: If you have an existing audience, even a small one, simple surveys can be incredibly insightful. Use tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey.
• Customer Interviews: Talking directly to people in your target market offers invaluable perspective.

Example: If you’re a freelance writing coach, your ideal reader isn’t just someone who wants to “be a writer”.  They’re likely battling imposter syndrome, unsure how to market themselves, and longing for financial stability. Your content needs to acknowledge these deeper anxieties.

Finding Compelling Topics

Knowing your audience is crucial, but it’s only the first step. To write blogs people can’t resist, you need topics that pique their interest and satisfy their needs. 

A combination of keyword research, trendspotting, and strategic content planning will put you on the right track. 

Here’s a breakdown of some key approaches:

• Keyword Research: Tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, and Keyword Planner help you delve into the actual search terms and questions your audience is using.
• Trendspotting: Stay attuned to your niche. Monitor industry news, social media conversations, and trending searches for timely content opportunities.
• Evergreen vs. Timely: Balance core, long-lasting content (e.g., “The Beginner’s Guide to Yoga”) with articles tied to current events or seasonal trends (e.g., “The Perfect Yoga Retreat for Stress Relief”).

Master the Art of the Headline

Your headline is the first impression your blog post makes.  In a sea of content, it’s what determines whether someone clicks or scrolls on by. 

That’s why mastering the headline is essential. Tried-and-true formulas are a great starting point.  Consider using numbers (“5 Ways to Boost Blog Traffic”), ‘how-to’ guides (“How to Write Blog Posts People Want to Read”), or directly addressing audience pain points (“Stop Wasting Time on Blog Posts No One Reads). 

Luckily, there are tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer to help you score your headline’s effectiveness and refine it based on data-driven insights.

The Perfect Blog Structure

You’ve got a compelling topic and understand your audience. Now, let’s ensure your blog post keeps readers hooked from start to finish. It all comes down to a structure that’s both easy to follow and captivating.

Strong Introductions: The first few sentences are crucial. Grab attention with:

• Powerful Statements: A startling statistic or thought-provoking statement.
• Anecdotes: A brief, relatable story that sets the scene.
• Questions: Make your reader think or pique their curiosity.

Scannable Formatting:  No one likes walls of text.  Make your blog inviting with:

• Short Paragraphs: 2-3 sentences max for easy readability.
• Subheadings: Guide the reader through your key points.
• Visuals: Images, infographics, or videos break up text and illustrate concepts.

Compelling Storytelling:  Humans are wired for stories. Weave these elements into your posts:

• Conflict: What problem are you solving for your reader?
• Relatable Characters: Use examples or brief anecdotes to add a human touch.
• Transformation: Show how your solution leads to a positive change.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Essentials

Crafting an incredible blog post is essential, but to truly maximize its reach, you also need to make it search-engine friendly.

Modern SEO strategies focus on aligning your content with user intent and demonstrating value and authority.

Here’s a deeper dive into some key areas:

• User Intent:  Go beyond individual keywords and think about the broader reason behind someone’s search. Are they looking for a quick answer, a step-by-step tutorial, or an in-depth analysis?  Ensure your content matches their need.
• Basic On-Page Optimization
  • Title Tags: Accurately describe your content while incorporating primary keywords naturally (aim for 50-60 characters).
  • Meta Descriptions: This is your “sales pitch” in search results. Make it compelling and include a call to action (about 150-160 characters).
  • Heading Tags (H1, H2, etc.): Organize your content with clear headings that signal the main topics of each section.
  • Internal Linking: Connect relevant blog posts on your site, helping readers discover more of your content and aiding search engine understanding of your site structure.
• Readability and User Experience: Google prioritizes websites that are easy to navigate and enjoyable to read. Utilize short paragraphs, subheadings, visuals, and avoid overly complex language.
• Mobile Optimization:  With more searches occuring on mobile devices, ensure your blog is responsive and loads quickly on different screen sizes.
• Keyword Research Revisited: While not the sole focus of SEO, choosing strategic keywords remains important. Look for terms with decent search volume and align with the intent of your audience.

Important Note: SEO is an ongoing process. Stay up-to-date on algorithm changes and continue to produce high-quality content that truly serves your readers.

You an also use SEO tools such as Neuronwriter to analyze your topics, competitors, and guide you on writing a blog post that are optimize to increase its visibility on search result.

Calls to Action

Every blog post should have a purpose. Don’t just leave your reader hanging!  By including strategic calls to action, you guide the reader towards the next step you want them to take.

Here’s where and how to naturally incorporate effective CTAs:

• Inline CTAs:  Weave these within your content. Examples:
  • “For a step-by-step breakdown, download my free guide here.”
  • “Want more tips like these? Join my email list.”
• End of Post CTAs: Give a strong final prompt related to your blog topic. Examples:
  • “Share your thoughts on this topic in the comments below!”
  • “Ready to [desired outcome]? Check out my [product/service].”
• Specificity is Key:  Instead of generic “click here”, tell the reader exactly what they’ll get or  the benefit of the action.
• Placement Matters: Consider sidebars, pop-ups (use tastefully!), or dedicated Call to Action sections for high-value offers.

Conclusion

Writing blog posts that people genuinely want to read isn’t about tricks or shortcuts. It boils down to a few core strategies: deeply understanding your audience, finding topics that resonate, mastering clear structure and captivating headlines, and including purposeful calls to action.

Most importantly, remember that consistency is key. Blogging success takes time and dedication to consistently providing value to your readers. Now, I’d love to hear from you! What’s one area of blog writing you’re eager to improve? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Related Article: How to Drive Traffic To Your Blog

Write Blog Posts People Want to Read- Frequently Ask Questions