How to Write Blog Outlines

“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers,” says Brian Clark, founder of Copyblogger. And if you want to impress your readers, before you dive into writing a blog post, you should always create an outline. Outlines are a useful tool for organizing and structuring your blog post content.

First, determine your main topic and subtopics: The main topic of your blog post should be the focus of your outline. Consider breaking down your main topic into smaller subtopics that you can cover in more detail.

Use headings and subheadings: Headings and subheadings help to organize and structure your content, making it easier for your readers to follow along. Consider using different heading levels (e.g. H1, H2, H3) to indicate the hierarchy of your content.

Include supporting points and examples: In your outline, include supporting points and examples that you will use to illustrate your main points and ideas.

Use bullet points: Bullet points can help to break up your content and make it easier for your readers to scan and absorb your ideas.

Include a conclusion: Your outline should include a conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves the reader with a sense of closure.

Consider the length of your post: When writing your outline, consider the length of your post and how much detail you want to include. A shorter post may only require a few main points and supporting examples, while a longer post may need more in-depth coverage.

Use transitional phrases: Transitional phrases, such as “on the other hand,” “furthermore,” or “in contrast,” can help to smooth out the flow of your content and make it easier for your readers to follow along.

Consider the needs and interests of your audience: When writing your outline, consider the needs and interests of your audience and how your content will meet those needs. This can help you create an outline that is relevant and engaging for your readers.

Use an outline template: There are many outline templates available online that you can use to help structure your content. Consider using a template as a starting point and customize it to fit the needs of your post.

Review and revise your outline: After you have completed your outline, take some time to review and revise it to ensure that it is clear, organized, and easy to follow. Consider asking a colleague or friend to review your outline and provide feedback.

By following these tips, you can create a clear and organized outline that helps you structure your blog post content and makes it easier for your readers to follow along.

Here is a sample blog outline template:

I. Introduction

Hook: A catchy opening that captures the attention of your readers
Main topic: The main topic of your blog post
Thesis statement: A clear and concise statement that summarizes your main points
II. Body

Main point #1: The first main point of your blog post

Supporting example #1: An example that illustrates your main point

Supporting example #2: A second example that illustrates your main point

Main point #2: The second main point of your blog post

Supporting example #1: An example that illustrates your main point

Supporting example #2: A second example that illustrates your main point

III. Conclusion

Recap of main points: A summary of your main points

Final thoughts: Any final thoughts or insights on your topic

Call to action: An action that you want your readers to take (e.g. share your post, visit your website)

By using this template as a starting point, you can create a clear and organized outline for your blog post. You can customize the template to fit the needs of your specific post by adding or removing sections as needed.