This visitor submit is by Karol Ok of On-line Enterprise Design weblog.
Running a blog will not be solely about placing collectively 400-2,000 phrases of textual content and publishing them in your WordPress web site. As a blogger, you’ll be able to select from a a lot larger number of doable weblog submit varieties (and content material generally).
Let me be trustworthy and admit that I’ve wished to compile this form of record for a very long time. Arising with new concepts for posts each couple of days may lead you to a tough cease on a brick wall in a short time… I imagine author’s block is the extra politically appropriate title for such a state of affairs.
Probably the most efficient methods of combating author’s block is having a giant useful resource file, containing a number of concepts and frameworks for brand new posts. In addition to, writing commonplace, old-school weblog posts can get boring in a short time. That’s why each blogger wants some selection when it comes to content material in the event that they wish to be doing this for an extended time frame.
This record is split into a few sections relying on the aim and traits of every content material sort. Be at liberty to deal with it as a useful resource file ≠ñ you don’t should undergo the entire record without delay.
Article type posts (aka commonplace weblog posts)
1. How-to/tutorial posts
This is among the hottest submit varieties and one which arguably brings probably the most worth to the reader. A very powerful factor to concentrate on whereas writing it, is to provide some particular data on find out how to do/carry out/attain/attain no matter is promised within the title of the submit. Movies and pictures work very nicely as extra assets for how-to posts.
2. Information posts
Sometimes utilized by larger blogs, leaders in a given discipline which have their finger on the heartbeat always. They’re often quick (lower than 500 phrases) and share an necessary piece of reports in a given market. There are a few downsides if you wish to make them an necessary a part of your publishing schedule: you must be quick (there’s nothing worse than yesterday’s information), information has a brief expiration date (it’s arduous to show a information submit into a bit of evergreen content material), and eventually, you must be publishing them at the very least as soon as a day.
3. Definition posts
A.okay.a. Wikipedia-style submit. What you principally do is select a time period that has a major significance in your discipline and outline it utilizing easy language, so the time period is straightforward to grasp for somebody who’s new to the subject.
4. Customary record posts
Listing submit is among the hottest submit varieties in use as we speak (you’re studying one proper now). The essential thought is that you just take a subject or an issue and also you attempt to provide you with plenty of separate options to it. Listing posts are so in style as a result of they’re extraordinarily straightforward to comply with. Every level is often not associated to the opposite ones, which signifies that even a distracted thoughts can get numerous worth from the entire submit. Listing posts are additionally nice for bookmarking or sharing with mates—exactly due to their reader-friendly building.
5. Useful resource/hyperlink record posts
Similar to commonplace record posts. The distinction is that now you’re not arising with the content material by yourself, however trying to find priceless data elsewhere and, in the long run, sharing hyperlinks to what you’ve got discovered. This kind of record submit may be very in style currently and plenty of profitable bloggers are utilizing it as probably the most necessary parts of their publishing schedule. This sort of posts are likely to get numerous backlinks because of the truth that individuals who have been featured typically prefer to let their readers find out about that truth, so that they go forward and point out it on their blogs.
6. Profile posts
A profile is a submit specializing in a selected particular person, often somebody well-known or necessary in a given discipline. Profiles often cowl issues like: why the particular person in query turned well-known, what’s so particular about them, what they’ve completed, and what’s their historical past and background. There aren’t any particular guidelines of making an excellent profile submit. You need to select your goal, discover as a lot fascinating details about them as you’ll be able to, and mix it into an article.
7. Case research
Case research current a approach of fixing an issue primarily based on a real-life instance. They’re often constructed in a step-by-step method presenting every step in an in depth approach, and explaining why this particular resolution has been chosen. Case research often finish with a roundup of the whole lot that has been achieved and current the ultimate outcomes.
8. Issues-and-solutions posts
That is related submit sort to case research, solely right here, the answer doesn’t should be one which has already been utilized. It may be an outline of a theoretical resolution to an issue, or an thought value contemplating for different folks scuffling with the identical drawback. For instance, let’s have a look at novice bodybuilding as a subject. Probably the most frequent issues in that discipline is gaining lean (fat-free) physique mass. A bodybuilder-blogger may create a submit focusing on this particular drawback by giving plenty of doable options, like introducing a particular food plan, completely different exercise regime, completely different hours of sleep, and so forth.
9. Comparability posts
Each discipline has some particular traits or issues that may be solved by many alternative means. Comparability posts take two or extra doable options and evaluate them to 1 one other. Numerous features of those options must be taken into consideration if the entire submit is to be priceless. It’s additionally good to level out a winner on the finish. A number of the issues you’ll be able to evaluate towards one another are: software program, books, programs, firms, and so on.—even folks.
10. Tales
There’s nothing like an excellent story. Tales are ones of probably the most reader-friendly kinds of weblog posts. We ñ people ñ are used to listening to tales ever since we have been youngsters. The ability of tales lies of their capability of disguising sure messages whereas describing seemingly unrelated conditions. You may create a narrative about somebody who wished to do one thing however failed as a result of they didn’t know a very powerful parts of X, the place “X” is the factor you wish to share along with your readers… Simply an instance.
11. Controversial posts
The reality is folks prefer to learn controversial articles even when they don’t agree with the writer. That being mentioned, not each writer has sufficient balls to put in writing such a factor. Apparently sufficient, making a controversial submit will not be that troublesome. The best approach of doing it’s to select a subject, write down your ideas about that subject, after which sharpen them as much as the purpose of absurd. You should use some sarcasm whereas doing so. Right here’s an instance. As an alternative of claiming “some Web advertising ideas revealed on-line have only a few doable functions in actual life,” say “each Web marketer is aware of nothing about real-life enterprise”—sturdy, to the purpose, and straightforward to disagree with.
12. Inspiring posts
Often an inspiring story about somebody (hopefully, an underdog) reaching one thing. The primary message right here is “if he can do it, so can I.” The one drawback is that it’s not that straightforward to search out one thing fascinating sufficient to be become an inspiring submit.
13. Analysis posts
A step-by-step information on how you’re (or another person is) researching a selected subject. For instance, you’ll be able to share the way you’re doing all of your key phrase analysis, or the way you’re trying to find a digital assistant to rent, or the way you’re doing market analysis to provide you with an inventory of potential companions and opponents.
14. “What others are saying” posts
It is a mixture of a analysis submit and a hyperlink record submit. The primary thought is to discover a subject and discover different folks sharing their opinion on that subject. Typically it’s higher to not faux that you’re probably the most educated particular person in a given discipline, however share the opinions of different specialists as an alternative. It’s the factor Napoleon Hill was well-known for.
15. “What if” posts
A hypothetical submit about one thing—”What would occur if X?” type of factor. To start out, select an fascinating subject, discover a component that’s sure to exist in that discipline, and attempt to write a submit about what might need occurred if that ingredient by no means existed. For instance: “What if WordPress was by no means invented?”
16. Parody posts
A satirical view on a given subject. The best approach of arising with such a factor is to decide on one other publication about one thing, notice down among the concepts offered in it, and prolong them to the purpose of absurd. For instance, many building-a-successful-blog gurus let you know concerning the significance of commenting on different blogs. In response, you can write a submit on “why you should touch upon 1,374 completely different blogs a day if you wish to achieve success.”
Unconventional weblog posts
17. FAQ (Steadily Requested Questions) posts
I’m certain you understand very nicely what that is about. The one drawback with arising with these type of posts is the “ceaselessly” half. If you wish to create a FAQ type submit you should have an viewers to get the questions from. Making a faux FAQ containing just some imaginary “ceaselessly” requested questions is the largest sin of all of them.
18. SAQ (Ought to Ask Questions) posts
An analogous sort to the earlier one, however this time you, because the skilled, present an inventory of questions and solutions your viewers ought to be asking you. The trick right here is that ceaselessly requested questions will not be at all times those which might be a very powerful (that’s as a result of folks don’t know what they don’t know), so in a SAQ submit you’ll be able to current your experience and ship a lot worth to your readers.
19. Critiques
There are tens of blogs that focus solely on opinions of assorted services and products, principally within the tech/gadget area of interest. I’m not telling you to begin posting solely opinions any more, however submitting one now and again absolutely can’t harm you. As well as, you’ll be able to embrace your affiliate hyperlinks and make some cash alongside the way in which.
20. Interviews
I’m certain there’s numerous potential folks you’ll be able to interview: specialists, celebrities, odd individuals who have managed to do one thing vital, folks sharing their success tales, firms, different bloggers. Simply go searching your area of interest and I’m certain you’ll discover somebody fascinating.
The interview itself may be achieved in a few other ways. You may meet with somebody in particular person (the normal approach). You may mail them your questions and they’re going to mail you again the solutions. You may name them through Skype or cellphone. You are able to do a twitter interview (tweeting backwards and forwards questions and solutions). Mainly, there aren’t any limits. Typically being artistic pays loads, so attempt to provide you with your individual methods of doing interviews.
21. Ebooks
Every time you’ve got a giant library of assets, your individual posts, notes, and so on. you’ll be able to mix them and switch into an e-book, after which announce its launch in a normal weblog submit. Top-of-the-line examples of utilizing your present weblog posts to create an e-book is the work of Darren Rowse in 31 Days to Construct a Higher Weblog. Upon getting your e-book prepared, the easiest way of delivering it’s, in fact, as a PDF obtain. The truth is, creating ebooks may be enjoyable—one thing I discovered for myself when placing collectively my very own e-book.
22. Particular experiences
It’s like an e-book, solely smaller, often specializing in only one facet of a given discipline, and most often delivered freed from cost. Aside from that, you’ll be able to method it the identical as creating a normal e-book, and after you have it prepared, announce this truth in a weblog submit.
23. Cheat sheets
As Wikipedia defines it, “a cheat sheet is a concise set of notes used for fast reference,” and that’s precisely what it’s. I’m certain that you will discover many guidelines, methods, strategies of doing/utilizing one thing that pertains to your discipline or area of interest. You simply should put all of it collectively in a neat PDF file and share it along with your readers. Simply to provide you some examples of good cheat sheets: Cheat Sheets & Fast Reference Playing cards for Builders.
24. Checklists
A guidelines is a set of particular steps that must be taken with a view to full a job. Subsequent to the headline of every step there ought to be an empty field the place the particular person utilizing the guidelines can put a tick as soon as the step has been accomplished. This forces you to make use of the PDF format as soon as once more. Upon getting the guidelines prepared, write a submit describing what it’s for and find out how to use it.
25. Infographics
Infographics are very fashionable in as we speak’s Web. They’re cool to have a look at, current data in an easy-to-digest method, present numerous worth, and have a excessive share-with-a-friend issue. The one draw back is that they’re very time consuming to create. And most often you must delegate this work to somebody (or work along with somebody) if you would like the ultimate consequence to be distinctive. However, they’re value to think about you probably have the time and the assets. Listed below are some examples of nice infographics: Infographics for Net Designers: Info You Should Know, 12 Superb search engine optimisation Infographics.
26. Tasks
In my view this is among the largest issues you are able to do in your weblog after you have a reasonable readership. By “reasonable” I don’t essentially imply the numbers, however folks’s engagement along with your posts.
The essential thought is that this. You announce a mission that you can be collaborating in (or are an writer of) and invite your readers to participate in it, and share their outcomes. An important instance is what Pat and Tyrone have achieved with the Area of interest Website Duel mission.
27. Open inquiries to your readers
That is often a really quick submit. Only a single query to your readers about no matter subject. However, in fact, it must be one thing associated to your area of interest, and it must be one thing that really pursuits you, one thing you wish to know … possibly as a part of analysis in your upcoming submit. Publishing this type of submit may also help you tighten the connection along with your readers and encourage among the quiet ones to talk up. The one draw back is that you must have a reasonable readership with a view to make this work.
28. Beginning a debate
Just like publishing an open query, solely this time you’re saying what’s your opinion in the beginning of the submit, and let your readers choose a aspect, to allow them to share their very own arguments in favor or towards. Another time … you must have an viewers for this to work. When you think about the controversy completed you’ll be able to shut down the feedback and write a follow-up submit mentioning among the most necessary components of the controversy.
29. Presenting an present debate
Let me simply offer you an instance. Some time in the past, Corbett Barr revealed a submit presenting a debate between Pat Flynn and Everett Bogue on whether or not or not it’s best to permit feedback in your weblog. The controversy has been ready earlier by interviewing either side giving them the identical questions, after which letting them check out one another’s solutions so they might react to them. It is a nice thought and I’ve to implement it myself within the close to future. I encourage you to do the identical.
30. Surveys and polls
Yet one more approach of connecting along with your viewers. This time once more you’re the one asking questions. A easy ballot consists of 1 query with plenty of doable solutions. For instance: “Which member of the A-team do you want probably the most? 1. Hannibal, 2. Face, 3. Murdock, 4. B.A.” There’s plenty of completely different WordPress plugins that may offer you a risk of making a ballot.
A survey is often one thing a bit larger. As an example, a questionnaire containing plenty of poll-styled questions in addition to essay questions, and easy fill-in-the-blanks. You may search the WordPress plugin listing to search out an acceptable plugin for this too. Surveys absolutely present a lot priceless details about your viewers, which makes them value contemplating after you have an engaged readership.
31. Crash programs/gathering posts
It is a type of submit consisting of hyperlinks to different submit throughout the identical subject, and possibly some extra remark or content material. As an example, this guitar weblog sharing data on find out how to be taught guitar chords. Every chord will get its personal submit, and on the finish of the collection there’s one large gathering submit that includes the hyperlinks to all the opposite posts and a few extra ideas and assets. In the long run, the entire submit appears like a type of crash course on studying guitar chords.
32. Twitter posts
In an effort to create such a submit what you want is a subject, ideally a trending/in style one, and a while. Simply go to twitter search and discover some fascinating tweets concerning the subject. It’s possible you’ll search by key phrases or by hashtags. Upon getting a set of 20+ tweets you’ll be able to mix them into one “what persons are saying” submit. This will likely sound like a straightforward approach out, however in actuality these posts may be very informative and, in lots of circumstances, very humorous.
33. Revenue/visitors/expense experiences (month-to-month)
Highly regarded currently. A number of the greatest examples may be seen at Assume Site visitors and Good Passive Revenue. What you do is solely check out your Google Analytics account in addition to your checking account and report any adjustments evaluating to the earlier month. In fact, you must be snug with sharing this type of data. The opposite drawback is that telling those that your visitors is at 346 monthly and also you revenue at $12 monthly may not be the most effective social proof doable.
34. Contests
Contests are an effective way of connecting along with your viewers and even getting an viewers within the first place. A very powerful ingredient of a contest is the prize. It must be one thing value competing for, which imply it includes spending some cash or discovering a sponsor. The theme of the competition may be something. For instance: “whoever sings the best notice wins an iPod”—you get the purpose. Entries may be submitted through electronic mail or, ideally, through a remark under the submit. It’s as much as you.
35. Attracts
One thing just like a contest. The one distinction is that the winner will not be chosen by somebody, however will get drawn randomly. Aside from that, identical guidelines apply.
36. Races
One other concept that’s just like a contest. The primary thought of a race is to provide your viewers a selected job to do, and the primary particular person to finish it wins. It is likely to be one thing like: “first particular person to publish 20 feedback this month on my weblog wins an iPod.” The primary good thing about such a factor is that aside from the winner submitting 20 feedback you could get the runner up submitting 18, two folks submitting 17, and so forth. So in the long run, operating a race may convey you a lot extra feedback than 20. Simply an instance. The principles of operating a contest apply right here too.
37. Quizzes
How is it any completely different from a ballot or a survey? Nicely, a quiz will not be a instrument so that you can discover out one thing about your viewers, however a instrument in your viewers to search out out one thing about themselves, often in a humorous and entertaining approach. An important instance is a quiz that may be discovered at theoatmeal.com, titled How lengthy may you survive chained to a bunk mattress with a velociraptor?. It turned out to be a giant hyperlink bait for theoatmeal and resulted in #1 rating in Google for the phrase “bunk mattress”, whether or not it was supposed or not. Plus, on the finish of the quiz you obtain a cool badge which you’ll embrace in your weblog or share on Fb. I’m certain you can also got here up with one thing quiz-worthy in your area of interest.
38. Software program, instruments, scripts, plugins, themes, providers
You should use a weblog submit to announce your new software program, instrument, plugin, service, and so on. Share some details about the factor—what it could actually do, who it’s for, how and when to get it, and so forth. This is likely to be a great way of notifying your readers of what’s occurring in your online business, what you’re as much as, and what’s in it for them. You may get some concepts for brand new providers or merchandise by doing a brainstorm and researching what your viewers is likely to be keen on. In fact, to make it occur you must know your viewers first.
39. Comics
Each day extra bloggers begin to publish comics as a continuing ingredient of their publishing schedule. Check out Net Designer Depot. In case you are, or can get, somebody who can create the precise comics, it is likely to be a great way so that you can broaden your viewers and provides them one thing that’s very straightforward to digest. It may be a pleasant hyperlink bait as nicely. Two examples of comics-only blogs: xkcd and Wulffmorgenthaler.
40. Jokes
No additional rationalization wanted. Clearly, it’s not an excellent match for each area of interest, however who is aware of? Possibly it’s excellent for yours.
41. Icons and different graphical freebies
That is one thing that works nicely within the design area of interest, which isn’t very shocking. Designers are at all times on the hunt for some recent, ideally free, icons/buttons or different graphical instruments. Attempt to alter this technique to your area of interest. For instance, you probably have a pictures weblog you may share some free inventory photographs on Inventive Commons license. In case you’re within the enterprise growth area of interest you can get some Microsoft Phrase templates designed for you after which share them along with your viewers. It’s not nearly icons.
42. Displays
In case you’ve ever given a presentation on no matter subject I’m certain you continue to have the slides someplace in your laptop. You may add them to Slide Share after which embed them in your weblog submit. Contained in the submit you’ll be able to describe what the presentation is about, point out when and the place you gave it, and encourage your readers to re-embed it on their very own blogs.
Audio weblog posts
43. Mp3 recordsdata (as a podcast)
First issues first: what’s a podcast? Quoting Wikipedia: “a podcast is a collection of digital media recordsdata (both audio or video) which might be launched episodically and sometimes downloaded via internet syndication.” Translating it into plain English, a podcast generally is a collection of mp3s launched in a sequence. Most likely the most effective thought is to register your podcast in iTunes and get some recognition there.
Relating to the content material itself, a podcast can include no matter you need. You may give tutorials on numerous subjects, inform jokes, even learn poetry. Be at liberty to browse the iTunes listing to get some concepts.
44. Interviews
These are just like textual content interviews, solely this time you conduct them over the cellphone or Skype and report the whole lot alongside the way in which. You then share them as an mp3 in your weblog or flip them right into a podcast in case you’re planning to launch a couple of interview.
Once more, some folks you’ll be able to interview embrace: specialists, celebrities, odd individuals who have managed to do one thing vital, folks sharing their success tales, firms, and different bloggers in your area of interest.
45. Talks
One thing just like an interview, however this time you’re getting plenty of folks (three or 4) on the road or Skype, and provides them a subject to speak about. In fact, you report the whole lot so you’ll be able to share it along with your viewers afterward. This sort of discuss is extra targeted on a selected subject reasonably than on the folks collaborating within the discuss. It is a good thought you probably have the likelihood to persuade a few influential folks in your area of interest to participate in it.
46. Teleseminars
In an effort to pull this one off you want an engaged viewers, or good advertising. The primary thought is that first you announce you’ll be conducting a teleseminar on subject X and provides folks a hyperlink the place they will join it. Then when the time comes you give the seminar to a reside viewers. In fact, it’s also possible to report it and share as an mp3 afterward.
The most well-liked approach of operating a teleseminar is to concentrate on a how-to subject. It ought to be one thing you’ll be able to clarify to your viewers—one thing that’s actually necessary to them, but it’s not really easy to grasp alone.
Video weblog posts
47. Speaking head video
All video submit varieties on this record have one factor in frequent: after you have the video made you’ll be able to embed it in a standard weblog submit, or share it along with your viewers as a video podcast.
Now, the speaking head video. It’s the best video to make. What you principally do is sit in entrance of a digital camera and speak about one thing. Probably the most well-known examples is Gary Vaynerchuk and the posts on his private weblog. In fact, the subject must be fascinating if you wish to have any type of affect, and you must be snug with the digital camera—one thing many individuals discover difficult at first.
48. Screencast
Screencasting is one other title for recording what’s taking place in your display. It may be achieved with software program known as Jing, for instance. It’s a really easy-to-digest approach of giving a tutorial on some technical issues, like organising WordPress or doing one thing in Photoshop. Typically it’s a lot simpler to do a screencast than clarify such issues through textual content content material. Often the identical quantity of knowledge may be delivered in a five-minute screencast as in 3,000 phrases of textual content. And the issue of you being uncomfortable with being in entrance of a digital camera doesn’t apply right here, so it’s really simpler to make.
49. Presentation video
That is principally a type of screencast. But it surely’s made by first making a PowerPoint presentation (in fact, you should use different software program too), then firing it up and recording the whole lot whilst you discuss the viewers via the presentation. It’s very straightforward to make and the outcomes may be nice because of among the PowerPoint’s fancy options.
50. Interviews
Nothing new right here, besides this time you’re not writing or recording audio, however capturing a video as an alternative. Video interviews at all times look extra skilled as a result of they’ve that TV-like really feel to them.
51. How-to video
Capturing a how-to video is a good suggestion in case you’re in a distinct segment the place it’s simpler to truly present one thing than it’s to explain it with phrases. The guitar area of interest is a superb instance. It’s a lot simpler to point out folks find out how to play a selected chord than it’s to explain this to them. The primary drawback right here is that you must be snug with being in entrance of a digital camera. In case you’re nervous, folks will discover.
52. Webinars
Just like teleseminars, webinars use video as the primary medium. Aside from that, the identical guidelines apply.
Recycling
The ultimate recommendation I wish to offer you on this submit is to recycle your content material. Now, what do I imply by that? Every time it’s doable and makes precise sense, attempt to take a bit of your content material and repurpose it by turning it into a unique medium.
For instance, you may get your movies and mp3s transcribed after which share them as an everyday weblog submit. You too can go the opposite approach round: create an article first, then flip it right into a script, and in the long run shoot a video and add it to your YouTube channel. One other thought is to take your electronic mail publication collection, learn each version out loud and share the entire thing as an audio podcast on iTunes. I’m certain you get the thought by now. As you’ll be able to see, the probabilities are countless.
What’s in your record? Do you’ve got any fascinating weblog submit sort concepts you wish to share? What’s your favourite sort? Communicate up within the feedback: your enter is greater than welcome!
Karol Ok. (@carlosinho) is a 20-something yr previous internet 2.0 entrepreneur from Poland and a grad scholar on the Silesian College of Know-how. He hates to do conventional enterprise however loves to coach capoeira. Tune in to get his recommendation on running a blog and beginning an internet enterprise.
