Written on January 21st, 2009 at 07:01 am by Darren Rowse

21 Ways to Write Posts that Are Guaranteed to Grow Your Blog

Blog Promotion, Writing Content 108 comments

  1. Write something useful
  2. Write something unique
  3. Write something newsworthy
  4. Write something first
  5. Write something that makes those who read it smarter
  6. Write something controversial
  7. Write something insightful
  8. Write something that taps into a fear people have
  9. Write something that helps people achieve
  10. Write something that elicit a response
  11. Write something that gives a sense of belonging
  12. Write something passionately
  13. Write something that interprets or translates news for people
  14. Write something inspirational
  15. Write something that tells a story
  16. Write something that solves a problem
  17. Write something that gets a laugh
  18. Write something that saves people time or money
  19. Write something opinionated
  20. Write something that is a resource
  21. Write something about something ‘cool‘
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108 Responses to “21 Ways to Write Posts that Are Guaranteed to Grow Your Blog” - Add Yours

  • Brent Riggs

    January 21st, 2009 7:53 am

    I love those types of lists… I write several posts a day for different blogs and I often reference lists like this to spark an idea.

    Brent Riggs
    http://www.brentriggs.com

  • Miguel Alvarez

    January 21st, 2009 8:15 am

    Great post… (but on #10, you have a typo… you meant to say elicit which means “generate” not illicit which means “illegal”).

  • Smash and Peas

    January 21st, 2009 8:20 am

    All extremely useful tips! I guess it could also be summed up by saying ‘Dont write content just for the sake of updating.’

  • Sjay

    January 21st, 2009 8:21 am

    wow thats a great list. Hope it will help my blog a lot. Good one to check all the time before write a post as it will give good guide lines.

    Thanks Darren

    Sjay
    http://crazzycool.blogspot.com/

  • Jeremiah Bell (Digital Trainer)

    January 21st, 2009 8:22 am

    I think the key here is to not only write about these topics but be versatile enough to incorporate each of these ideas into your blog. Nice and simple post. Thanks Darren.

  • AKMAL

    January 21st, 2009 8:25 am

    great post…. Its short but its quality too…

  • Bruce

    January 21st, 2009 8:29 am

    Thanks Darren…Like Brent said, I’ll use this as a reference list and as something to help me prevent “writer’s block!”

  • Allan Ward

    January 21st, 2009 8:30 am

    Great list. I’ll be printing it out and using it to plan my next batch of artcles.

  • Gennaro

    January 21st, 2009 8:33 am

    Thanks for the list. I think it would be great to approach each post with these ideas in minds. Pick one or two per post, but also mix it up. Give your readers a few different ways to view your material. Kill boredom and staleness.

  • KristjanV

    January 21st, 2009 8:42 am

    I have tried to do just that with this article aiming at points 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 16.

    Thanks for the list! Very useful for all the bloggers out there.

  • Will Lowrey

    January 21st, 2009 8:44 am

    Thanks for the list – it is being printed out now and will be referenced as a I continue to work on my own blog.

  • adam

    January 21st, 2009 8:48 am

    this is an awesome list… i think it qualifies under #1 and #20 at least :)

  • Rome Images

    January 21st, 2009 8:52 am

    Write something simple ?

  • Very Evolved

    January 21st, 2009 8:54 am

    And now for my next trick – to include all 21 within the one post!
    Next stop, Digg!

    Patrick
    Follow the Herd

  • jennine

    January 21st, 2009 8:55 am

    that’s something to print out and put on the ol’ bulletin board.

  • Alex | Blogussion.com

    January 21st, 2009 8:56 am

    Very straightforward list. Probably the shortest thing I’ve seen here, but just as useful as anything else.

  • Jordan Nilsen

    January 21st, 2009 8:57 am

    Simplistic Genius! I will reference your list for myself and my clients. Thanks for posting.

  • Bill Bolmeier

    January 21st, 2009 8:57 am

    I like it, short and sweet. Simplistically intriguing and challenging.

  • Wayne John

    January 21st, 2009 8:59 am

    I’m trying to do all those things, and it’s pretty slow going to be honest. Great list however!

  • John Taylor

    January 21st, 2009 8:59 am

    I’d have started with just “Write Something” – lot’s of people get stuck at that big blank text area. Writing the title can often get things moving. ;-)

  • Jeremy

    January 21st, 2009 9:03 am

    Great list. I’m going to make a point to reread this occasionally as I write for my own blog!

  • rich whitaker

    January 21st, 2009 9:04 am

    great tips. thanks.

  • Peter

    January 21st, 2009 9:12 am

    Great tips! I’ve also had good success with writing stories based on keywords that led people to my site. For instance, I mentioned a small news tidbit about a guitar played by James Hetfield of Metallica, and got over 1,100 hits just from Metallica fans discussing my news on their forum. So since then I’ve included more news about that guitar as it comes to hand, with similar results. It helped grow my blog by opening my mind to specific niche readers in addition to broader ones.

  • Wayne Tully

    January 21st, 2009 9:18 am

    I just tried a list like yours just now and they sure are quite effective, simple and to the point lists!

  • Karl Jones

    January 21st, 2009 9:25 am

    Great Stuff. I’m Loving #4 and #12. And I agree with Smash and Peas’s comment about not writing content ‘just for the sake of updating.’ Great point, and a great list!

  • Gennice

    January 21st, 2009 9:39 am

    I totally agree with Peter. I am doing that all the time, and I get traffic mostly from forums where readers of that kind of content discuss about it. It is also useful if you can register on those forums and then tap into discussion. That will bring you even more visitors.

  • se7en

    January 21st, 2009 10:01 am

    Totally loving this post! Not a very useful comment, I know… but sometimes you just need to say great job!

  • David Turnbull

    January 21st, 2009 10:09 am

    Just bookmarked this post. Should be very useful for a blog I’m launching on February 1st. :)

  • Starwrite

    January 21st, 2009 10:48 am

    I add some tips it’s write about review or contest.. I agree with you. That iam doing now in promotion,

  • MoneyNing

    January 21st, 2009 10:49 am

    It should be noted that sometimes it’s not necessary to do everything in the same posts. Trying to be the first implicitly assumes that you won’t be the last (and thus unique), writing about something cool and inspirational might not be possible etc.

    Like other people say, mix it up and your readers will appreciate the freshness with your words.

  • Donovan

    January 21st, 2009 11:05 am

    Top Notch List.

  • Gori Girl

    January 21st, 2009 11:12 am

    Great list! At first I just looked over it in my reader, though, “that’s cool”, and was ready to move on – but I’ve been having a bit of trouble focusing my posts lately.

    So instead I took the list, made them into categories in Excel, and then started listing blog topics that would fit into each category. It was a challenge to find something for them all, but now I have 21 posts’ worth of topics – thanks!

  • uwak

    January 21st, 2009 12:18 pm

    great listing….give all benefits to your visitor…….and your blog will grow up faster

  • Jensen | CS-Weekly

    January 21st, 2009 12:20 pm

    Thank You! This really help me to decide what to focus on my blog!

  • ElasticZone

    January 21st, 2009 12:23 pm

    Amazing list that show us how to make a post only with listing

  • Puspanjali

    January 21st, 2009 12:29 pm

    This is the most simple yet comprehensive and concise “how to” post I have ever seen.And this is the requirement for effective blog posts. Thanks Darren for showing the way.

  • David Risley

    January 21st, 2009 1:05 pm

    Write something like this post. Simple, too the point.

  • Young

    January 21st, 2009 1:52 pm

    I thought about Brian’s 10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer when I saw this good post.

  • MikeHTS

    January 21st, 2009 4:07 pm

    Excellent post. Very helpful – especially for those times when I need a “kick start” to get going and get beyond the dreaded “blank page syndrome.” A post that is simple in form yet deep in benefit. Thanks.

  • gendut

    January 21st, 2009 4:30 pm

    writing unique topic and controversial……..making every visitor love your web

  • Scott Prock

    January 21st, 2009 4:36 pm

    Great post, quick and to the point …

    I would print this and place it next to my computer, if only I had my printer unpacked from our last move ;-)

  • Roman

    January 21st, 2009 4:47 pm

    Bascily, it can be summed up as: Write something that people want to read.

  • Alexey

    January 21st, 2009 5:46 pm

    Brevity is the soul of wit.

    I believe that combination of two or three is more efficient than single item.

  • Elizabeth at About Stress Management

    January 21st, 2009 6:14 pm

    I was JUST thinking, ‘What should I blog about before I go to bed?’ Now, not only am I inspired, but that quick read leaves me with more time to go write. Yay!

    P.S. This may be redundant, but how about ‘Write something transformative’? You know, those things that stay with people because they’re full of great analogies that illustrate a profound concept?

  • German romance

    January 21st, 2009 6:39 pm

    Very good points, I would just add: Write about someone that has gone from rags to riches, as motivational story for the readers.

  • Maxim

    January 21st, 2009 7:18 pm

    Nice list for all bloggers! Especially I like 17 point, it very helps me to attract new readers for my blog (: thanks)

  • J.D. Meier

    January 21st, 2009 7:37 pm

    If a great post falls in the blogosphere, but no one’s around to see it, does it still make a splash?

  • SEO Tips

    January 21st, 2009 9:21 pm

    Short but sweet and straight to the point. I like Muchio :)

    Actually just gave me an idea for a new weekly series on my blog thank you.

  • sony

    January 21st, 2009 9:36 pm

    Good post, sometimes we post the posts with the things those which are listed above without concentration, if we look back to our post we can find some of these things in it.

  • Iris

    January 21st, 2009 9:48 pm

    What happened to number 1? Not sure writing something unique will necessarily chime with readers. If it is truly unique, it might be too obscure. Unless the uniqueness is combined with pretty much any of the other tips.

  • Daniel Richard

    January 21st, 2009 11:45 pm

    Looks like everything has been covered in this list here. :)

  • Bruce Simmons (brusimm)

    January 22nd, 2009 12:13 am

    What I have found is that useful isn’t always compelling. From consumer advocate to computer usage, I had to kill those individual efforts because the traffic was a dead stagnation of a trickle. I dropped them after almost 2 years of effort.

    It’s more the sensational gossipy crap that seems to catch on, or anything started, created or referenced by Darren (as one example) that does catch on.

    If you don’t have a foothold in the SEO world, you are spinning your wheels.

  • Susan Weinschenk

    January 22nd, 2009 12:33 am

    It’s interesting that 3 of the items on the list (fear, belonging, story) are 3 chapters in my latest book on the unconscious. I’ve connected unconscious drivers to web design, but haven’t thought about it specifically for blogging. I may have to give that some more thought!

  • Steven-Sanders

    January 22nd, 2009 12:36 am

    Wow! Unbelievably short. Almost doesn’t fit your style of writing.

    I was sure you would expand upon each one farther.

  • Matt Gio

    January 22nd, 2009 12:40 am

    It’s a simple post alright. Not bad! Could be just a little more detailed.

  • Make Money Online Tips

    January 22nd, 2009 1:35 am

    Fantastic tips Darren. Basically writing something out of the box helps.

  • Flipsem

    January 22nd, 2009 2:22 am

    Great reference check list for posts, thought provoking and directional. Helps to remove the dull and inject the spark.

  • get

    January 22nd, 2009 2:29 am

    What is Unique …? I don’t Understant
    Please sent email to me about unique

  • Ben Moreno

    January 22nd, 2009 2:38 am

    Almost every post on ProBlogger has at least one of those elements in it, which is probably part of the reason this blog got where it is in the first place.

    I really do learn a lot from this blog.

  • David Cheong

    January 22nd, 2009 3:02 am

    Write something about something ‘cool‘, this one I always admired those who write it, have been trying to do so, but few can accept it.

    Will not give up, but will try the best all the way.

  • TechMata

    January 22nd, 2009 3:25 am

    This is a very unusual post by Darren.
    My first time reading a post from him that is very short yet very useful.

    Thanks!

    TechMata

  • Jenna Rocca

    January 22nd, 2009 4:10 am

    Excellent list. You’re smart!

  • abee

    January 22nd, 2009 4:31 am

    Awesome simple but great tips Darren. First time visiting your blogs, first time I get inspiring tips for my blog content.

    Thanks a lot

    Abee

    http://www.greenhealthy.co.nr

  • roentarre

    January 22nd, 2009 6:20 am

    This is incredibly useful in deed! Thanks!

  • C

    January 22nd, 2009 6:32 am

    If I replace the word “write” with “draw” in each line of this list, I might be able to make use of it.

  • BrianJ

    January 22nd, 2009 8:06 am

    These topics are great.

    The key to all writing is to elicit an emotional response from the person who reads it, regardless of the topic.

    If a person isn’t emotionally connected to what you wrote (though it might be useful information) they will never be committed to follow through with your advice.

  • Christian Brosstad

    January 22nd, 2009 8:09 am

    Hey. This list was very useful, i think the most important thing is: Entertain ur readers…
    if u like it or not…90 % is presentation and 10 % is content…that’s a fact :)

  • Gini

    January 22nd, 2009 9:35 am

    I’m saving this one as a writing prompt, thanks!

  • Kim McGinnis

    January 22nd, 2009 10:24 am

    Hi Darren,
    That for this wonderful “list” post. You must know how all us web users love this type of material. Easy to read and build a mantra around.
    Love your bio pic-btw, did you like the movie, Australia?
    to your continued success,
    Kim

  • Walter

    January 22nd, 2009 10:30 am

    Excellent post, I needed something to give me new ideas. I am going to hang it on the wall.

  • Candy

    January 22nd, 2009 10:57 am

    Great list and that’s what I need to do!

  • Dee Langdon - BloggerNewbie

    January 22nd, 2009 11:03 am

    I think controversial is viral

  • Rahul

    January 22nd, 2009 12:35 pm

    Start writing and start is right now.

  • Peter

    January 22nd, 2009 3:47 pm

    Another one I would add is ‘Write something that makes them come back tomorrow.’ I’m currently running a ‘Sparkly Guitar Week’ with a different sparkly guitar each day of the week, and each story includes a photo, information about the guitar, and affiliate links. I plan to have one theme week per month.

  • Ravi Ahuja

    January 22nd, 2009 5:13 pm

    That’s great lists which will enhance your writing skills. I am going to suggest this post link to others from my blog.

  • vutah

    January 22nd, 2009 5:33 pm

    I like your important post, for me, i like to write something that gives information, strange thing…

  • harry

    January 22nd, 2009 6:54 pm

    Thanks for sharing great information. It really helps me writing posts.

  • Cheap mp3 Players

    January 22nd, 2009 7:01 pm

    Lol, I think you forgot write something relevant…:-)

  • Dennis Berg

    January 22nd, 2009 7:53 pm

    I am sorry, Darren, but this type of posts is useless, and way below the average article on the web. I think that your site is so huge and has so many articles on the topic that it has become very difficult for you to keep up with the pace. The reason is that you have already written everything useful (and thank you for that). But my opinion is do not squeeze the posts out of you; the articles must be useful, and this is just obvious list that serves no use. If you continue with these types of posts, your blog will turn into useless spam site.

    I am writing this because I love what you do. I want you to continue doing great things. But with this type of posts, the greatness of Problogger vanishes.

  • TechPaparazzi

    January 23rd, 2009 2:48 am

    I recently launched a site Techpaparazzi.com, i was planning to blog about all tech happenings….and this post makes it easy for me to write the post more usefull by keeping these above point in mind……

  • Christopher Ross

    January 23rd, 2009 3:12 am

    Thanks Darren, it’s always great to be reminded what makes a great post and how to drive traffic to your site.

  • Alicia

    January 23rd, 2009 10:13 am

    Thanks for the great tips. I’ve printed out the list and put it right by my computer!! Hopefully it’ll be helpful in giving me spark for my blog posts!

  • Geoff McDonald

    January 23rd, 2009 7:26 pm

    Hi Darren,
    Big fan, even better you’re a local Melbourne boy too.
    In our RAP, “We Blog”, came up with a similar list of ‘Blog Being’ – Be Opinionated, Be Passionate, Be Original, Be Regular, Be Transparent, Be Strong, Be You.
    Happy to email you this issue if you’re interested.
    The link we make between movies & blogging and ‘acceleration’ is a fresh take on the future of the web.
    Keep up the good work!
    Geoff

  • Thatcher Michelsen RichAgent.com

    January 25th, 2009 3:04 am

    Darren, Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for this list. I have found this very useful, I appreciate your employing the K.I.S.S. method. Keep up the great work.

  • Mike J

    January 25th, 2009 5:19 am

    Excellent list long but nice. If you can combine at least two or three of these in each post i’m sure you will get attention. You continue to deliver great insight as always.
    Thanks

  • Marie

    January 25th, 2009 11:58 am

    Thanks for the tips! This will help newbies like myself! Thanks for the great site!

  • David Atkinson

    January 26th, 2009 12:00 am

    Hi Darren,

    Just want to say what a great post this is. The tips are awesome !!!

    Thanks

  • Chris

    January 26th, 2009 3:42 am

    Thanks ,simplifies things tremendously. Makes it easier to stay focused.

  • Lorne Pike

    January 26th, 2009 11:29 am

    You know you’ve got a great post when you get 90 comments or so! Love the list. Shows that you don’t need a lot of words to deliver a lot of wisdom.

  • Kenney Works From Home

    January 27th, 2009 8:21 am

    So, I keep this notepad file I keep making better and better called “how to write blog post”, and I just stole all 21 ideas…lol It’s like my own little cheat sheet when I am writing. Thanks for the post, really good info.

    Kenney
    The Work From Home Secret

  • Takumi86

    January 28th, 2009 1:41 am

    This is the first time i really enjoy reading your article, its short and straight to the point, Love it!

  • Alley

    January 29th, 2009 6:27 am

    This is a really helpful post. I reckon this will be very helpful for me, kind of a checklist :))
    Thank you, I love it! <1+2

  • Onasis

    January 30th, 2009 7:14 am

    Thanks for the list. It’s useful.

    It makes me remember Brian Tracy and his 21 series.

  • Danielsmonde

    January 30th, 2009 1:10 pm

    Easy to say, hard to do. Maybe this distinguishes bloggers that will be successful from the rest.

  • Jon

    February 2nd, 2009 8:17 pm

    These never fail, keep a list like this with you and when the writers block hits refer to it.

    Doing a bit of research work ie forums, yahoo answers etc while bearing the list of statements above in mind, will soon have you armed with dozens of articles if not more.

  • dcpatton

    February 13th, 2009 1:21 pm

    write something concise. which is what you did. great list.

    i don’t think i’ve ever seen a list from you with no links to other posts. interesting…

  • krissy

    February 19th, 2009 8:23 pm

    Thanks for the list, Darren. This will help me. I think the ones I use the most are “write something that makes those who read it smarter,” “write something useful,” “write something cool,” and “write something that gives a sense of belonging.” And perhaps — write something that helps others to have a lot of fun! But my blog is a lot about giving a sense of belonging. Not just belonging to the blog, and to my brand, but belonging to the whole community of the blog — being connected to the rest of the readers. It’s all about community. Everyone likes a place to belong. And to be able to provide that, sometimes, is great! Then again, to be able to provide information — like you do — is great also! Perhaps the ideal would be a blog that does both! thanks for a fabulous post — I’m keeping it for ideas — especially for when I get stuck.

    krissy knox :)
    follow me on twitter:
    http://www.twitter.com/iamkrissy

  • garima

    March 18th, 2009 9:51 pm

    nice list but nothing new or different…..very basic

  • Gabriel

    April 6th, 2009 5:39 am

    This is exactly what I need – a simple, direct to the point guide that will help me with my blog posting tasks. Thank you for posting this.

  • Maggie Bishop

    April 7th, 2009 10:18 pm

    Great way to stimulate ideas, to brainstorm, about what I have to say that help someone else. Thanks!

    http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com

  • Lee Ka Hoong

    April 8th, 2009 11:07 am

    It’s simply straight the point, great list Darren! I’ve read the “Write a List Post”, and would try to come out a list post this 2 days. Learn something new today. :)

    Regards,
    Lee

  • Rick Zero Credit Card Game

    April 9th, 2009 8:05 pm

    I love lists and this list is outstanding. I especially like the write something opinionated because many people tend to write things that are watered down so as not to alienate the readers.
    Rick

  • Utter Thought

    April 22nd, 2009 1:43 pm

    The brevity is refreshing, especially since it’s useful and not random bits of fluff.

    I hate those lists that are basically just numbered paragraphs–what’s the point.

    ~ Stephanie J. B.

  • Laskwatsera

    April 26th, 2009 2:39 pm

    great ideas, i’ve been thinking of other niche i can write about aside from travel, i think my domain had limited already the things i can write about but the most important one is to write something that is useful to people.

  • Kim McGinnis

    April 26th, 2009 11:55 pm

    Great tips. The simplicity with which you wrote this one reminds me of another one.

    Put your tips in a list.

    I think most people appreciate simplicity. That’s why Zen Habits is such a popular blog.

  • Calvyn Tng

    May 12th, 2009 9:17 pm

    This is a great way to work my way out of a writers block, using this list its easy to prioritize my articles, thanks for the information

    ~Calvyn Tng

  • Calvyn Tng

    May 12th, 2009 9:24 pm

    Hey i wonder if i added a video introduction to my about me page, would that be much better?

  • eBloggy

    June 14th, 2009 12:31 pm

    Just stumbled here via SU – great and helpful list :)

    I couldn’t agree more, thanks for posting :)


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