5 Secrets to Writing a Blog Post in 15 Minutes
Let’s face it – we are busy! We know we want to blog, we need to blog, we see the benefits of blogging, but sometimes it can feel like the process can take forever! And if you are a real estate agent – which I’m assuming many of you are – you are even busier because you don’t work 9-5.
Here is a quick and simple method to write a blog post in 15 minutes!
- Have an ongoing topic list. When inspiration hits you, write it down. I will often email myself when I think an idea. Try to always have 10-15 ideas on your list. Tip: Use Google docs: create a free document that you can add to at anytime. You can access it anywhere – home, work, anywhere since it is ‘in the cloud!’
- Write a quick outline. My favorite is to keep my blog posts to 3, 5 or 7 points. I like posts that are quick and succinct! Once you make your list – edit! See what isn’t as important and get rid of it. Now add a couple sentences about each point. Tip: I recommend sticking to 800-1000 words per blog post. Keep your post short and to the point – remember, your reader’s attention span is getting shorter ever day.
- Google search your topic. This is one of my favorite tips – simply google your topic and check out 5-6 articles – just peruse them. This will get your creative writing juices flowing. Remember not to copy anyone’s blog posts – but quoting or linking to other sources is great! Tip: Don’t pretend to be an expert if you are not. Very few people in this world are experts and just that term will turn off many of your Gen X and Gen Y audience. Instead, give your opinion and reasons why that is your opinion. Ask for feedback to start the conversation!
- Proofread. Never post a blog without reading it. I prefer to read it out loud. There is something about reading out loud that will help you catch your errors. Tip: If you have someone nearby let them read it quickly – getting a second set of eyes can be helpful.
- Always know what your must have’s are for each blog post. Everyone has a different style, but there are must-haves each blogger likes to have. Personally, I always set aside 3-5 minutes to add an interesting image. Figure out what your must have’s and be ready! Tip: If there is something you like to have in each blog post – like your signature or contact info, save it in a Word doc to easily copy and paste it into each post.
So that’s it! This blog took me about 10 minutes – I’m taking the next five to proofread and then VOILA – it will be published!
BONUS: Here are 2 links to my last two posts about blogging!
Do you have tips to writing great blog posts? Let me know – leave me a comment here!
Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News, @katielance
Susan Meyers | Apr 20, 2010 | Reply
Hi Katie,
Good article packed with some great tips for any new blogger. I will definitely share this with my office. However, since you made a few references to proofreading, I cannot resist the urge to point out the two typos I noted.
The typos:
“your reader’s attention span is getting shorter ever day.”
and
“This blog took me a about 10 minutes”
It just goes to prove your point that it is a good idea to have someone nearby proofread your blog before posting.
Anyway, thanks for the blogging tips! I enjoy your blog and the Inman site.
Byron | Apr 20, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for the great tips. How do you get started when you are not a good writer and need topics to write on constantly?
Mike | Apr 21, 2010 | Reply
Byron,
I’m a terrible writer that’s why I do a video blog instead. As far as topics go I find there is always something to talk about.
Mike
For Sale by Owner Homes | Apr 21, 2010 | Reply
Good points, but I think most will find that this process, specifically taking the time to do a little research, will take longer than 15 minutes. What works for us is making sure that you’re consuming industry media all day, every day. When you find an article or video that you would like to discuss, add a link and a one-liner about your viewpoint to that Google Doc. Then when you get ready to post, you’ll have that research pre-bookmarked.
One VERY important point that you failed to mention- always blog with a goal in mind. Too often, especially for serial bloggers, we’re digging for something to blog about, and when we find something that could work, we whip out a post that ultimately doesn’t really serve a purpose. So, before you start a post, ask yourself, ‘What’s my end game here? What do I want the reader to do/think/re-post after they read?’ This will guide your writing in a specific direction versus random rambling.
Happy blogging!
Akei | Apr 21, 2010 | Reply
Great blog/article. I like reading them when they are short and sweet and to the point.
I am curious, do you recommend any blogging sites for beginners?
I have a few to suggest if I may:
http://www.mylistingblog.com – Real estate blogging, news, American Idol thoughts and more
http://www.viewmylisting.com/blog – Real estate blogging, listing news and agent news
Thanks for the great post.
My one piece of advice to writers, if you are open to comments, don’t always delete the negative ones, as everyone has opinions, and sometimes the negative comments can get you more exposure. Not everyone has to or even will agree with everything you write, but just read comments with an open mind.
Thanks again.
Please feel free to post this on one of our sites as well. It is free to sign into our blogs and get more google exposure.
Mitchell Jamel | Apr 22, 2010 | Reply
Katie,
Thanks for the Post, I am currently updated my skills
Katie Lance | Apr 23, 2010 | Reply
Thanks everyone for your comments – much appreciated!
Katie
adrienne | Apr 26, 2010 | Reply
Thanks! This info will help me get started on my new blogging goals.
Alex at Maui Real Estate | Apr 28, 2010 | Reply
Katie, great article. I have to say though, 800-1000 words seems like a pretty long post (one which I don’t think most people would read, I know I probably wouldnt unless the topic was very engaging). And I would only add that to make posts topical and relevant to what is going on today, so as you read news and commentary, get ideas of how to put your spin on the topic.
Katie Lance | May 1, 2010 | Reply
Thanks Adrienne!
Alex – agreed about relevant topics! I am constantly reading and adjusting my content based on the news, what people are talking about, hot topics, etc.
Katie
Bob Marsh | May 3, 2010 | Reply
Great info. When you do your proofreading, do spell check too…is it VOILA or VIOLA?
Williams | May 15, 2010 | Reply
These are really good tips. What I like to do is to make a headline sheet or a story web of what I will be talking about. The rest is pretty much explantory and just rolls from my head onto my blog page.
————————–
http://www.gizellefashion.com
(content writing services)
Williams
Aaron Knutson | May 25, 2010 | Reply
Good content. I like the idea of finding something you can write that is ongoing. It’s a little exhausting to think of completely new ideas everyday.
For a site in which I am the only writer; how many posts do you recommend per week?
Kim the Real Estate Investors | Jul 24, 2010 | Reply
Those are some excellent ideas for Real Estate Professionals or anyone writing a blog.
As most blog posting systems will let you write the post, and set it to post at a future date, I like to take about an hour and set up post for the next week or even the next month depending on the blog I am writing for.
As I am a Realtor and subscribed to the local associate weekly newsletter, NAR’s weekly newsletters and several other real estate related newsletters, and as they all seem to hit my email on Thursday and Friday, I like to set aside a couple of hours on Saturday or Sunday to use all the content in these emails as fodder for ideas, quotes, and links to further information.
I also read the morning paper in our area for important political, economy and other news topics to throw in a relevant for that day post when something important is happening.
Edwin Brown Subject to Investor | Jul 26, 2010 | Reply
How often do you need to write blog articles for it to begin to help your business? I know daily would be ideal, but if I only blog once a week, will that still be effective?
Briddickbellinghamrealestateguy | Jul 26, 2010 | Reply
My writing is like feast or famine. It’s either pouring out of me all at once or there’s nothing. Typically when I try to force something it’s crap and takes far too long whereas when I’m in the zone I can rattle off something brilliant in 10 minutes. Getting in the zone is the key…at least for me
ada harriotts | Oct 27, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for the tips, all are very usefull. However, I like what mike said about video blogs. Maybe this is a way to go in the future, as I like to talk, but I am not sure that you can just ramble. So it goes back to that you must write a post in order to to do a video blog.
Kevin Walton | Nov 1, 2010 | Reply
I too am a new blogger and see it as being a valuable tool. This is nice outline for beginners like myself. Thx for taking the time to create this post.
Minneapolis Mike | Jan 7, 2011 | Reply
Thank you for the tips. I have started using my Google Voice tool on my Android device to create lists of topics while I am driving back and forth to work. Not all of the ideas are gems but a good list to visit every so often to get some good ideas.
Tamra | Feb 14, 2011 | Reply
I enjoyed reading on how to make a post in 15 minutes.
Here is another tip in writing a post quickly. Go to Yahoo Answer and type in your keyword. Then look through the questions being asked on that keyword. Find a questions you like and use the question as your blog title. Then read down through the answers and compose your post based on the answers and your own knowledge.
This way you are providing up to the minute posts on what people are looking for.
Happy Blogging,
Tamra
Real Estate Brisbane | Apr 11, 2011 | Reply
Great tips thanks Katie
rick | May 2, 2011 | Reply
Good advice. I use some of those tactics, myself.
Christopher | May 3, 2011 | Reply
This is a great article with some good tips. However, I find that it takes me a bit longer than 15 minutes to do the research for writing an article.
Dave - Real Estate Investing in Canada | May 26, 2011 | Reply
Real estate is a golden opportunity for investors looking to create long term wealth. First things first, real estate is not a get rich quick scheme, it demands patience from the investors. Real estate investors are patient and long-term goal oriented.
Here is a wealth creation standard that not only teaches how to buy and sell properties but also educates them on some management skills that are useful in any industry. A real estate investment coaches people to manage assets and control properties with minimal funds. There also comes a time when investors learn to manage people and interact with people of diverse nature. Investors can also refine their negotiation skills over time as they interact with different bankers, brokers, realtors and sellers.
john | Jul 29, 2011 | Reply
great,good tips for new blogger.no doubt its effective.
Simon from real estate investing | Jul 30, 2011 | Reply
I have been blogging for a few years now. I always start by writing down a few bullet points and then expand on them.
This keeps you on track and helps you identify other topics as you write.
You would be surprised how much diversity you can have in just one topic!