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Basic rules for a good blog article

A good blog article does not start with a required length or keyword count. It starts with a reader’s question and an answer worth reading. The original post covered the title, introduction, comments and links. Those parts remain useful when they make the story clearer.

Let the title make a promise

A title should identify the content. “What I learned from customer questions” gives more direction than “My thoughts”. Do not promise more than the article delivers. A striking title may win a click, but disappointment afterwards helps nobody.

In the first paragraph, explain why the question matters and what you will cover. You need not hide the whole conclusion to build curiosity. Readers often decide early whether a piece fits their situation. Help them choose honestly.

Give every paragraph a job

Use headings for the stages of your explanation. A concrete example can make an abstract point clear, and a short list can help when several items are truly parallel. Link to a source or follow-up page when it adds something. A link with no clear destination mostly interrupts the reader.

Comments mattered greatly in the older blog world. If you enable them, allow time to manage questions and unwanted posts. Without comments, you can provide another suitable way to get in touch. The article itself should still be complete.

Before publishing, read the text as a newcomer. Can you understand the title, sequence and next step? That is a better final check than ticking off a list of generic writing rules.

— GijsDiscuss this article

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