How To Write Your First Blog Post (7 Steps + Free Templates)

Last Updated on July 29, 2023 by Jordan Alexo

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and write your first blog post. That’s fantastic! But let’s be honest, it can feel a bit like standing at the edge of a cliff, right?

Don’t worry! I’ve got your back. This guide will be your parachute, your safety net, your…well, you get the idea.

We’re going to walk through everything you need to know to write your first blog post. From finding the perfect keywords to analyzing your competition to crafting an outline.

Also, we’ll dive into the writing process, break down the steps to publish your post on WordPress, and even talk about creating a blogging schedule (because consistency is key in blogging).

By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the tools you need to write an informative, engaging, and SEO-friendly article. So, are you ready? Let’s roll!

Key Takeaways

1. Keyword Research: This is your starting point. Using tools like Google Autosuggest and Google’s People also ask can help you find the perfect keywords for your blog post.
2. Competition and Traffic Analysis: Knowledge is power. By analyzing your competition and traffic using the “allintitle:” operator, you’ll have a clear idea of what you’re up against.
3. Creating an Outline: Don’t underestimate the power of a good outline. It’s your roadmap to a well-structured, coherent blog post.
4. Writing Your Post: Let your personality shine through! Write like you talk, keep it simple, and break up your text for readability.
5. Publishing on WordPress: You’ve written your article, now share it with the world. Just publish it on your WordPress blog.
6. Creating a Blogging Schedule: Consistency is key in the blogging world. A regular blogging schedule keeps you organized, accountable and helps build an audience.

Free First Blog Post Templates

Just copy (CTRL+C) and paste (CTRL+V) the templates below into a new text document. So you can more easily use them later. Note the “how-to” blog post depends on the content.

That means you may need to adjust it to whatever you’re writing about.

1. Product Review Blog Post: – Introduction: Briefly introduce the product and its relevance. – Features: Detail the product’s features. – Benefits: Explain how these features benefit the user. – Personal Experience: Share your personal experience with the product. – Pros and Cons: List the product’s pros and cons. – Conclusion: Summarize your thoughts and give a final verdict. – Call to Action: Encourage readers to try the product or leave comments. <b>2. How-To Blog Post:</b> – Introduction: Explain what you’ll be teaching and why it’s important. – Materials/Tools Needed: List what’s needed to complete the task. – Step-by-Step Instructions: Break down the process into manageable steps. – Tips and Warnings: Share any additional advice or warnings. – Conclusion: Recap the process and encourage readers to try it. – Call to Action: Ask readers to share their results or leave comments. <b>3. Listicle Blog Post:</b> – Introduction: Introduce the topic and explain why it’s relevant. – List Items: Each item should have a heading and a brief description. – Conclusion: Summarize the list and highlight key takeaways. – Call to Action: Encourage readers to add to the list or share their thoughts. 4. Comparison Product Blog Post: – Introduction: Introduce the product category and its relevance. – Product Overviews: Provide a brief overview of each product. – Comparison: Compare the products based on features, pros, and cons. – Recommendation: Recommend the best product based on different criteria. – Conclusion: Summarize the post and your recommendations. – Call to Action: Encourage readers to try the products or share their experiences.

3 Painkillers To Common First Blog Post Headaches

I can’t remember the first blog post I wrote. It was a long time ago. But after years of being away, I started blogging again on Jordan Alexo. I faced some challenges, and I know many new bloggers can relate.

1 – Perfectionism

You want to get things perfect. That’s a huge killer of progress. You see your competitors with fantastic content. And you think to yourself, “Darn, I want to have something just as amazing.”

It’s all good to look up to others for ideas, better content structuring, etc. But whoever wrote those posts worked on their skills for months or years.

So, let’s say, “It’s not their first roller coaster ride either.” See, it takes time, effort, and a lot of work to create high-quality content.

Gosh, if I look at my first posts, I wrote over a year ago: Nowadays, my content is much more polished and refined.

Just to say, “Don’t stress yourself to death! Keep it simple, and write.” Your content will improve as you gain experience and practice.

2 – Writer’s Block

Sooner or later, you’ll face this hairy monster. Those days that you just can’t seem to write a damn thing. Your head is tired, and you don’t feel motivated. It happens to me, and it happens to anyone who writes professionally.

See, writing content frequently (in my case, every day) is extremely exhausting. There comes a moment when your head feels empty or blocked.

So, what can you do? How does Jordan Alexo write nearly every day without stopping? Well, here’s how:

1.  Practice: The more you write, the easier it gets and the less mentally draining it becomes.
2. AI Writers: Tools like ChatGTP have helped me solve writer’s block. You can use them auto-generate blog post ideas, summarize content, create introductions and conclusions, key takeaways, and more. All this reduces your mental fatigue.
3. Take Time Off: Sometimes, you really need to take a break. Believe me, I’m incredibly stubborn with this, but I’ve learned the importance of rest. If you feel exhausted from looking at text all day and your mind feels foggy, take a day or two off to recharge.

3 – Lack of Direction

You should always start with a niche in mind. That doesn’t mean you later won’t alter to a sub-niche. But what you don’t want to do is halfway completely change your niche.

Like you start blogging about the Paleo diet, and after thirty posts, decide to flip over to teaching to code HTML&CSS. That makes it hard for Google to understand what your blog is about.

And you spent all that time writing content to switch to another thing. You don’t need to be obsessed with finding the perfect sub-niche immediately.

However, try your best to stick to one main niche, and later you may go deeper into specific topics within that niche.

Step 1 – Understanding Your Identity as a Blogger

First up on the agenda? Figuring out who you are as a blogger. And nope, I’m not talking about your name, star sign, or whether you prefer dogs over cats. I’m talking about the real meaty stuff. Your unique perspective, your voice, your experiences.

Why’s this a big deal, you ask?

Because blogs aren’t just about spewing out facts and figures. They’re about sharing unique perspectives and voices. Your identity as a blogger is your golden ticket. It’s what makes you stand out from the rest of the blogging crowd.

So, take a breather, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing) or a jar of pickles (hehe), and do some soul-searching.

• What’s your niche?
• What unique experiences or perspectives can you bring to the table?

Maybe you’re a foodie who’s discovered a unique way to make gluten-free bread taste like heaven. Or perhaps you’re a tech expert who can explain blockchain in a way even your grandma would understand.

And in case you’re like, “Freak, I don’t know what to write about,” Well, don’t worry! Just read this post, “11 Best Niches For Blogging With Low Competition.”

See, you can become good at any niche as long as you’re willing to put in the time to learn and develop your expertise.

Step 2 – Keyword Research

Okay, it’s time to do some treasure hunting. This is like digging for gold nuggets on the internet. Why’s this so crucial?

Because keywords are like the breadcrumbs that lead search engines to your blog. Also, they help your blog get found by people searching for specific topics or information.

So, how do you find good keywords?

Well, it’s all about finding the sweet spot between search volume (how many people are searching for a particular keyword) and competition (how many other blogs are targeting the same keyword).

But don’t worry! You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy tools to do effective keyword research. Nope, you can use good old Google to your advantage.

Step 3 – Analyze Your Keywords Competition And Traffic

Now, you’ve got your list of potential keywords from Google Autosuggest and “People also ask” (if you haven’t, go back to Step 2, you cheeky skipper!).

But how do you know if these keywords are worth your time? Well, it’s time to do some investigation.

First, let’s use the “allintitle:” search operator. This little trick shows how many pages already use your exact keyword in their title. Just type “allintitle:” followed by your keyword into Google’s search bar.

For example, “allintitle:best homemade apple pie.”

If you see more than 1000 results, it’s a red flag. That’s a lot of competition, and it might be tough to rank high. But don’t lose hope! If you see less than 1000 results, it’s a green light. Your keyword has potential!

But wait, there’s more! You also need to check out the type of content that’s ranking for your keyword. Are they blog posts, videos, or product pages? This will give you an idea of what Google thinks is the most relevant content for that keyword.

If you’re seeing many videos and planning to write a blog post, you might need to rethink your strategy.

The goal here is to find a keyword that’s relevant to your content and has a good chance of ranking high on Google. So, put on your detective hat and start investigating!

Step 4 – Write An Outline For Your Blog Post

You’ve got your keywords and analyzed your competition, and now it’s time to start shaping that blog post. And how do we do that? With an outline, of course!

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “An outline? Really? Isn’t that a bit old school?” Well, let me tell you, outlines make it far easier for your to write your blog post.

They’re like a roadmap for your blog post, guiding you from point A to point B.

So, how do you create an outline that will make your writing process smoother than a hot knife through butter? Let’s break it down step by step.

1 – Build Out Your Sections

Start with the big picture. What are the main points you want to cover in your blog post? These will become your main sections or headings. Your blog post should build up.

In other words, your first subheading should explain easier concepts so people may understand the foundation of your topic.

2 – Dive Into Each Section

Once you’ve got your main sections, it’s time to start filling in the details. Start with your first section. What are the key points you want to cover?

What information does your reader need to understand this topic? Write these down as bullet points under your first heading.

3 – Analyze Top-Ranking Articles

Now, this is where your earlier keyword research comes in handy. Take a look at the top-ranking articles for your chosen keyword. Also, get a free browser app called “Detailed SEO.” Whenever you go to an article, you can use this app to provide your insights, such as word count, subheadings covered, and more.

Now look at what are they covering? How are they structured? Use this information to refine your own outline, adding or removing sections as needed.

4 – Add Bullet Point Summaries Under Each Heading

Once you’ve refined your outline, it’s time to add more detail. Under each heading, summarize what you plan to cover in that section.

This will help you stay focused when you start writing and ensure you don’t miss any crucial points.

5 – Write The Introduction And Conclusion

With the main body of your outline complete, it’s time to tackle the introduction and conclusion. These are crucial parts of your blog post, so take your time.

Your introduction must hook your readers and make them want to keep reading. At the same time, you should briefly explain what your readers will learn and why it’s essential.

On the other hand, your conclusion should briefly summarize your blog post. Some readers jump immediately to the conclusion to understand the main points.

Step 5 – Write Your First Blog Post

The moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to take all that prep work you’ve done—your keyword research, your competition analysis, your detailed outline—and turn it into your first blog post. Exciting, right? Let’s dive in!

1 – Start with Your Outline

Remember that outline you spent so much time crafting? Now’s the time to put it to use. So, start with your first section and begin fleshing out your bullet points into whole sentences and paragraphs.

2 – Write Like You Talk

Now, this might sound a bit strange, but trust me on this one. When you’re writing your blog post, try to write as you talk. This will give your writing a more conversational, authentic tone with which your readers will connect.

So, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through!

3 – Keep It Simple

Your goal is to share information with your readers, not to impress them with big words and complex sentences.

For this reason, keep your language simple. If your grandma wouldn’t understand it, rewrite it.

4 – Break It Up

Big blocks of text are intimidating. Thus, break up your content with subheadings, bullet points, and images to make it more digestible.

Also, online readers tend to skim, so make it easy for them to find the information they’re looking for.

5 – Edit, Edit, Edit

Once you’ve got your first draft, it’s time to edit. You want to look for any typos, awkward sentences, or information that’s missing or unclear. In case you want a helping hand, try out Grammarly.

This tool can help you more easily catch grammatical errors and improve the clarity of your writing. Also, don’t be afraid to cut, rewrite, or rearrange as needed.

6 – Add Your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) + Touches

Don’t forget to add your main keyword to your H1 and first paragraph. This helps search engines more easily understand your content.

Then use your keywords naturally throughout your post and subheadings.

7 – Add Relevant Images

Include relevant images throughout your content. It helps to break down your text, making it easier for people to read. If possible, avoid stock images, and try to use images to help explain your points.

For technical content, like programming, etc… you can use screenshots to show step-by-step processes or examples.

Step 6 – Publish Your First Blog Post

You’ve researched, outlined, and written your first blog post. Time to give yourself a pat on the back!

But hold on; we’re not quite done yet. It’s time to take your masterpiece and share it with the world. And how do we do that? By publishing it on WordPress, of course! Let’s walk through it together.

1 – Log Into Your WordPress Dashboard

First things first, you’ll need to log into your WordPress dashboard. This is where all the magic happens. It’s like the control room of your blog.

2 – Go to ‘Posts’ and Click ‘Add New’

Once you’re in your dashboard, you’ll see a menu on the left side of the screen. Look for the ‘Posts’ option and click on it. Then, click on ‘Add New’. This will open up a new page where you can add your blog post.

3 – Paste Your Blog Post

Remember that blog post you worked so hard on? Now’s the time to paste it into the WordPress editor. You can do this by simply copying your post from wherever you wrote it (Word, Google Docs, etc.) and pasting it into the editor.

4 – Format Your Post

Now, you’ll want to make sure your post looks good. Use the WordPress editor to add headings, bold text, bullet points, and anything else you need to make your post easy to read. Remember, presentation matters!

5 – Add Your SEO Title and Meta Description

Don’t forget to add your SEO title and meta description. And your URL should also have your search term. These are crucial for helping search engines understand what your post is about.

You can do this in the ‘RankMath‘ box at the side of your editor. If you don’t have this WordPress plugin, just install it.

6 – Preview and Publish

Before you hit that publish button, make sure to preview your post. This will show you what your post will look like once it’s live. If everything looks good, go ahead and hit ‘Publish.’ Congratulations, you’ve just published your first blog post!

And there you have it! By following these steps, you’ll be a WordPress expert in no time. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to share your first blog post with the world!

Step 7 – Make a Blogging Schedule

You’ve done the research, written the post, and even published it on WordPress. You’re officially a blogger!

But wait, there’s one more crucial step to ensure your blogging success: making a blogging schedule.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “A schedule? Really? Isn’t that a bit…restrictive?” Well, let me tell you, a blogging schedule is like a secret weapon for successful bloggers. Here’s why:

1 – Consistency is Key

When it comes to blogging, consistency is key. Posting regularly not only helps you build an audience (people love knowing when they can expect new content), but it also helps with SEO. Search engines love websites that are regularly updated with fresh content.

2 – It Helps You Stay Organized

A blogging schedule helps you stay organized. It gives you a clear plan of what to write and when to publish it. No more last-minute scrambling to come up with blog post ideas!

3 – It Keeps You Accountable

Having a schedule keeps you accountable. It’s a commitment to yourself and your readers that you’ll regularly produce new content. And I must say: nothing feels better than ticking off a blog post on your schedule!

So, how do you create a blogging schedule? Start by deciding how often you want to post. Once a week? Twice a month?

Choose a frequency that’s manageable for you. Then, brainstorm some blog post ideas and assign each one a publication date. Voila! You’ve got yourself a blogging schedule.

Last Thoughts

Well, we’ve journeyed together through the ins and outs of writing your first blog post. From the initial stages of keyword research using Google Autosuggest and “People also ask” to analyzing the competition and traffic for your chosen keywords with the “allintitle:” operator.

You’ve learned to write a detailed outline, create an enticing blog post, and even use WordPress to publish your first article.

But we didn’t stop there. We also discussed the importance of a consistent blogging schedule to keep you on track and your readers returning for more.

Anyway, if your first content doesn’t look brilliant, don’t beat yourself up. Remember, every great blogger started with a single post, and today, that’s you.

So, take these lessons, implement them, and keep blogging. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message below.