How to Write a Blog Article

by Phil Gerbyshak on September 19, 2009

There are many ways to write an article, and while I won’t attempt to cover them all, I’ll share a few of my favorite ways to do so. I am doing this live in my Social Media Saturdays course to demonstrate how easy it is to write an article for my blog.

To Do List

First – Start with an introduction. What am I going to say? A few sentences or a few words is fine. See above for an example of an introduction.

Second – Think about what you know about the topic. Share a story, think in a list, or just start writing. See what develops and edit later.

Third – Is there a picture that can supplement my story? If so, now’s a good time to find the picture. I like to use Flickr photos that are creative commons licensed so I am free to use them with attribution.

Fourth – I write. I just write as much as I can. I might also take time to schedule the post for later on, save it as a draft, leave it as a brief stub, whatever.

Last – I worry about formatting. I add bullet points, clean up the look and feel, whatever needs to be cleaned up.

What are your best tips on writing an article?

To do list photo credit

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Article by Phil Gerbyshak

Phil Gerbyshak is a self-proclaimed relationship geek who loves people way more than he loves tools.

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13 Other Comments

{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }

Melissa September 19, 2009 at 3:02 pm

I read other blogs and Internet articles for inspiration. Sometimes there will be a sentence or a paragraph that causes me to think about a topic in a slightly different way, so I will include the inspiration quote and a link back to the original article in the post I wrote.

There are an impressively large number of really smart people out there (you’re definitely among them, Phil), and I feel that I am more or less acting as a clearinghouse to steer my readers in the right direction for good advice.

That is a great tip about Flickr photos. I didn’t know that. I will have to start including pictures from now on. Thanks!

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Phil Gerbyshak September 19, 2009 at 3:05 pm

Thank you Melissa. That’s so nice of you to say.

Clearinghouse to steer readers in the right direction…I’d say that’s a good use for Twitter, to be a filter and a sharer. For a blog, add your own points. Expand upon the topic, add a point, disagree with a point, or even look at it a little differently and share that as an article on your blog. There’s not much new under the sun…except for the way you look at the things that happen.

Pictures are really great ways to add to the story. I use http://istockphoto.com sometimes too, but Flickr is free if you use it correctly.

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Melissa September 19, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Phil,

Thank you for clarifying the point I was trying to make.

I agree that there needs to be original content on a blog (which I do often add to the inspiration quotes). It’s a good venue for someone like me who is rarely lacking for words or opinions :)

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Phil Gerbyshak September 19, 2009 at 3:48 pm

Melissa – I hope you didn’t think I was saying you don’t do original content. I was just saying the “quick hits” are perfect for Twitter.

I have no shortage of words or opinions either :)

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Hilary September 19, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Hi Phil .. preparation is important and selecting the right topic, or topics for the post – keep it simple is a good phrase, try not to be repetitive, and it must be original in the thougth process. Acknowledge where necessary and where essential.

My blog is a real mish-mash ofideas .. but fellow readers seem to enjoy the mix of content and the learning process they encounter, which seems to be light relief – I’m educating myself at the same time! I enjoy it .. but each post is different, and in a world of its own relative to other more specialised blog expert subjects.

I do work at the articles though .. thanks for your ideas -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspiratonal Stories

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Phil Gerbyshak September 19, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Hilary – I think preparation can be important, though I would caution against OVER preparing and making oneself seem inhuman.

Cool to hear folks are enjoying your blog. I know that’s one reason I keep writing…the wonderful feedback from folks like you and Melissa. Thank you!

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Corinne Edwards September 20, 2009 at 11:22 am

Hi Phil -

I think best in the morning while I am having a cup of coffee and reading the Chicago Tribune.

So, this will sound crazy but I write most of my ideas on the margins of the newspaper. A little cumbersome to drag upstaairs to my office but I don’t like a thought, a sentence or even a full article to get away.

Don’t tell anybody. It is too wierd to admit.

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Daisy Wright September 22, 2009 at 9:34 am

Hi Phil,

I keep a notepad on my nighttable, and when I get an inspiration in the middle of the night, I jot it down.

I am also known to write ideas down on napkins, the back of receipts or anything that’s available (if a notepad isn’t nearby). Can’t afford to lose a great thought!

Daisy

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Tobias Fors September 28, 2009 at 11:51 pm

Hi there – thanks for a cool blog. Here’s a tip I use: HEY – YOU – SEE – SO. It’s a mnemonic that helps you remember a way to compose your text. I first learned about it on Johanna Rothman’s blog: http://jrothman.com/blog/mpd/2005/10/hey-you-see-so.html

Tobias

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Troy Worman October 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm

I like to keep it brief.

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articlescreen November 14, 2009 at 11:06 pm

Brief but most useful ones…And I also don’t want to make my comment lengthy…

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Todd 'tojosan' Jordan December 14, 2009 at 8:57 am

Phil,
Wow. This is a powerhouse post. Talk about concentrated content. Bam.

I’m going to book mark this and use it as a checklist for others that I help get online and engaged. Heck, there are a couple here I’m missing or can improve on.

Thanks for putting this together and then giving it away.

Todd

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ADAMA J. ADAMA December 14, 2009 at 10:16 am

Nice post. Just about everything I have in mind for my new book.

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Dewey Kearney December 14, 2009 at 11:20 am

I have been blogging for about a year, my resume help blog: http://www.ResumeHelpBlog.com has attracted some attention but not nearly the traffic I had anticipated. I intend to save this article and follow your tips every day and will check back and let you know the results.

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Joan Schramm December 15, 2009 at 5:42 am

Wow! This is the best, most succinct, clearest and most comprehensive list of exactly what to do to brand yourself I’ve ever seen. Phil, you’re selling yourself short — I know “gurus” in the industry who charge hundreds of dollars (and more) for this exact same info. You’re not only knowledgable with a lot of insight into how this “branding” thing works, you have an incredible generosity of spirit. Thank you — this is a permanent bookmark for me and I’ll be sharing it widely.

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Rich Hand December 16, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Great information Phil! Everyone in today’s professional world needs a “brand”. It has replaced the “resume” as the new way to manage our careers.

Keep making it great!

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Melissa December 19, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Yes, yes, yes! You are absolutely right on with these awesome suggestions.

I just now need to carve out some time implementing them for myself instead of only helping others to achieve them. I need to remember the words “Physician, heal thyself.”

Thanks, Phil!

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Richard Shelmerdine December 20, 2009 at 4:11 am

Woah! Tip number one is exactly what I did just like Phil. My own name as my domain. The best benefit is that people trust you, not the business. It’s like how Eckhart Tolles business is built around him.

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Cindy A. Berg December 21, 2009 at 10:07 am

Thank you for this detailed post. I plan to start the new year off right with help from your list.

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Mike Wagner December 22, 2009 at 11:51 am

Really helpful mechanics and insights Phil!

I suspect the vision piece is the hardest.

What’s worked for me is to remember my vision is in constant revision. When starting off call it Vision 1.0 realizing that you’ll be issuing an upgrade as you learn more.

Thanks again for a really helpful post Phil!

Keep creating,
Mike

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Kim - self improvement and motivation December 29, 2009 at 11:36 am

I’ve heard of branding and have used it myself. However, you offer solid advice on how to use the Internet and Networking to it’s full advantage. What most people need to know is that Networking is the best way to find the best job in the field that you want.

Great job. Keep up the wonderful writing.

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Paul Lopez December 30, 2009 at 10:02 am

Short and concise. Very helpful!

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Ryan Wendland January 18, 2010 at 11:48 pm

Great article!! I defenitely needed some good branding advice as I want to get my clothing company off the ground. I will bookmark this for sure.

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Phil Gerbyshak January 22, 2010 at 9:54 pm

Awesome Ryan! Glad you stopped by and found the article useful!

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