In ChatGPT and similar AI models, every query you input is a prompt. This term refers to statements and questions that elicit specific AI outputs. For instance, requesting AI to generate blog post titles on a particular topic is a classic example of a prompt. The AI then processes this prompt to produce appropriate and relevant responses.
In this comprehensive blog, I'll share my detailed, step-by-step guide on how I approach blog writing. This guide is adaptable and varies slightly depending on the blog's focus. Whether I'm discussing a product or service, comparing different offerings, sharing personal experiences, or exploring various other topics, each type of content demands its unique approach. I'll delve into how these factors influence the structure and style of my writing, offering insights that can be applied to a wide range of blogging scenarios. This guide is designed to be a flexible framework tailored to fit different blogging subjects' specific needs and goals.
I recommend reading this guide thoroughly to understand the overall process for a practical approach. Then, select a topic of your choice and apply these steps as you revisit the guide a second time. This hands-on method will help you grasp the nuances of the process more effectively as you tailor it to your chosen subject. I used these steps to write the blog "Embracing AI in Blogging and Article Writing for Effective Marketing." See the blog for an example.
When writing blog articles and other marketing material, I use a variety of tools I use:
ChatGPT-4, Bard, Claude AI, and Perplexity are useful AI-driven writing tools, and because I like comparing results and have access to other great tools, I use www.aivia.ai/?via=evermoreinteractive to have access to multiple AI in one location.
Other tools I use to write my content include Grammarly and Copy Leaks
Step 1 – How to get a good title
A compelling title is the gateway to your content, serving as the first point of engagement with your audience. It's crucial in capturing attention and setting expectations for what the reader will discover. A compelling title is not just a label; it's a tool that entices curiosity and interest, encouraging the audience to read further. It also plays a significant role in SEO, helping your content rank higher in search results. A good title is a blend of creativity and clarity, succinctly conveying the essence of your content while sparking the reader's interest to delve deeper.
In an AI, I requested to generate three title suggestions for a blog post, specifying the subject and at least three key points to be covered in the blog.
Prompt: Write three suggestions for an engaging title to blog about the following: "Insert the subject and key point you want to cover in the blog."
Transfer the Title you prefer into your word processor.
Step 2 – Organizing your content
Outlining and organizing content is crucial for engaging and retaining your audience's attention. A well-structured blog makes the information more digestible and guides the reader through a logical flow of ideas. It starts with an outline that acts as a roadmap, defining the main points and subtopics and ensuring that all critical aspects are covered coherently. This organization helps create a narrative that is easy to follow, keeping the readers engaged from start to finish. Furthermore, a clear structure aids in the SEO optimization of the content, making it more discoverable and accessible to a broader audience. Effective outlining and organization are crucial to crafting content that resonates with viewers, providing them with a satisfying and informative reading experience.
Prompt: Write an outline with at least four sections for a blog titled "Use the title that you like from the previous prompt" that includes the following key points: "Use the key points that you used previously."
If the outline doesn't align with what you want to write about or needs other changes, you can change the outline effectively by considering the following prompts:
- Revisit Your Thesis: Is your central argument or thesis still reflected accurately in the outline? Adjust sections to better align with your core message.
- Shift Section Order: Experiment with rearranging sections for a more logical or impactful flow of ideas.
- Consolidate Points: Combine similar points or sections to create a more concise and focused outline.
- Expand Key Sections: Identify areas that need more depth or detail and expand those sections in your outline.
- Introduce New Perspectives: Add sections introducing alternate viewpoints or additional evidence to strengthen your argument.
- Refine the Introduction and Conclusion: Ensure these sections accurately bookend your main points and adjust as necessary.
- Balance Sections: Check if some outline parts are disproportionately long or short and adjust for a more balanced approach.
- Incorporate Feedback: If you've received feedback, use it to modify your outline where relevant.
- Update with Recent Information: If newer information or data has become available, incorporate it into the relevant sections.
- Clarify Ambiguities: Identify vague areas in your outline and clarify them for greater understanding and impact.
Step 3 – Write Introduction
A short introduction in a blog is crucial for quickly engaging readers in an era of short attention spans. It offers a snapshot of the blog's content, enticing readers to delve deeper. This brevity also makes the introduction more accessible, especially for mobile users or those skimming through content. By briefly setting the stage, a brief intro can effectively encapsulate the essence of the post, ensuring that readers immediately grasp the topic and are motivated to continue reading for more details.
Prompt: Write a positive, engaging Introduction to this short blog covering the following: "Include the items given to you when the AI made the outline."
Using AI in writing can sometimes lead to unexpected directions, incorporating new ideas while potentially omitting key topics I intend to cover. In certain instances, while AI-generated content provides creative insights, it may need to address the subjects I planned to include fully. I often use specific prompts to guide the AI to rectify this, like combining the AI's statement with my initial input into two concise paragraphs. This approach helps in aligning the AI's output more closely with my desired content, effectively blending my ideas with the AI's enhancements to achieve the result I'm looking for.
Step 4 – Write Material for each Section of the Body
Now that you have your Title, outline, and intro, it's time to write the body of the blog. Much like the intro, I write a prompt for each blog section. The best prompt for writing the body of a blog would be specific and detailed, focusing on the key topics you want to cover. It should outline the main points or questions you want addressed, any particular style or tone you aim for, and any essential information that must be included.
A well-crafted prompt helps ensure the AI-generated content aligns closely with your objectives and encompasses all critical aspects of the subject matter. For example, "Write a detailed exploration of the "include section title," including the following while maintaining an informative yet conversational tone: "Include the items given to you when the AI made the outline and any other points you wish it to include." This type of prompt provides clear direction for content creation.
I then might use a prompt such as "expand and break it into two paragraphs."
Repeat this for each body section.
Step 5 – Writing an engaging Conclusion and end with a Call to Action
Writing an engaging conclusion with a compelling call to action involves a few key steps:
- Summarize Key Points: Concisely recap your content's main arguments or ideas. This reminds the reader of what they've learned and reinforces your message.
- Emphasize the Benefits: Highlight the benefits or value the reader gains by following your advice or using your product/service. This ties back to the needs or interests you've addressed in your content.
- End with a Strong Call to Action (CTA): Direct your readers on the next steps. Whether subscribing to a newsletter, downloading a guide, purchasing a product, or simply learning more, your CTA should be direct, easy to understand, and relevant to the content they just read.
- Create a Sense of Urgency: If appropriate, include elements encouraging immediate action, such as limited-time offers or exclusive benefits.
- Keep it Personal and Relatable: Use a tone that resonates with your audience, making the conclusion and CTA feel personal and relevant to their needs or interests.
Remember, the goal of the conclusion and CTA is to leave a lasting impression and motivate the reader to take the next step.
Step 6 – Review and personalize the article
In this critical stage, you refine the article to ensure it aligns with your voice and audience's expectations. It's an opportunity to add personal insights, experiences, or opinions, making the content more relatable and engaging. This step is crucial for final proofreading, checking for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy, and ensuring the article is polished and professional before publishing. Personalizing your content in this manner enhances its quality and strengthens the connection with your readers.
Besides reading and editing the article, I use two tools once I am satisfied with the content. Grammarly is more than just a grammar tool; it's a versatile tool that can help you with many aspects of writing, from basic grammar and spelling to clarity, conciseness, and style. Its features cater to individuals, students, professionals, and businesses alike.