How to write a Wordpress post

The purpose of this post is to give you an idea how a well written Wordpress post could look. It will answer the question, what is the connection between SEO and writing and what the basic structure of a blog post. Further, at the end I will give you a sample post you can use as an HTML framework for writing.

Lastly somewhere in this post is the big secret to SEO and how to write for your blog.

A well written Wordpress post will help SEO

What is the point of writing a Wordpress post? To give answers to user questions. Answers can be explicit or implicit, however, always clear and structured so the user can find the answer with the least pain.

Answers are what a search engine will reward.  Why? Because the humans that design the search algorithms want the search to be helpful for humans searching. That is Wordpress SEO in a nutshell, good writing. Do not focus on, links and one site factors too much. Think of your self as a writer.

Writing on your blog is the most important thing you can do for SEO.  The creativity side is another discussion, and is the most important part of writing. Writing something that is unique and valuable.

However, the structure of writing is the purpose of this post on how to write for  Wordpress. Perhaps if you have a structure then the idea can just flow onto the page.

If you have read my blog you know that Wordpress SEO is mostly about writing.  The on site and off site stuff will take care of itself with a standard Wordpress install and perhaps one or two plugins.

Anatomy of a Wordpress post

I think the best blogs have posts that are varied in length and structure  according to what you are trying t convey. They do not obey the rules, even this post. However, you need a starting point. If you were to have a conceptual framework about how write a Wordpress post, this could help. I will give you one.

This might help not only beginners, but more experienced bloggers who have a mess in their head because they have read too much wrong information about how to write for the web.

Therefore, lets get to work.

Writing a page title

Should be pretty close to what someone might type into a search box. – Why? Because your title is trying to answer a question.  If your title is jammed with keywords it is not exactly answering the question what people are looking for and can be confusing.  However if it is short and close to the exact phrase what someone might type into a Bing or Google search box then you know its a good blog post title.

Write Wordpress post headers like the Times or the Post

Writing a Wordpress post should be like writing a news story in an old time newspaper. Think of the London Times or the Washington Post.  Your most important information should go up top.  You should be have the headers almost tell the story. Your readers should be able to scan your Wordpress post and be able to tell if the story will be of value to them. I do not like the idea of tricking people to read my post with some misleading headline.

I personally believe the headers should be more accurate descriptions rather than sensational attention grabbers. Why? You should be writing for the long term, not for ten minutes of fame. If you are concerned about traffic to your blog then a long term content strategy is the best.

Your Wordpress post headers should read like the index of a book.  That is your H1 should be your title and H2 the chapter titles.  H3s could be used to give more detail, almost chapter descriptions.  They can be more long winded and metaphorical. On the other hand your h2s should be right on accurate, less is more.  Each header should neither spam keywords not be too cutesy.  They should be clear, crisp concise information about what the next idea is.

Keywords in your post headers

Headers are the heart of your Wordpress SEO efforts and writing good content for your blog.   If you know nothing about SEO but just do a standard Wordpress install (and forget about link building and social media) and write  creatively, then go back and add well written headers with SEO and your readers in  mind you will win.  That is the secret to SEO, in my opinion. Well written headers for your Wordpress posts.

Why is this true? Think of newspapers.  It worked for newspapers for hundreds of years, why not apply what worked.  Header help the readers navigate the article and search engines know this.

You do not want to spam your post with keywords in the headers, or over use headers.  However, if your post is focused I think having a keyword or synonym in each one of your H2s could help your ranking.  If you use synonyms then this will reduce your chances of being spammy.

Why academic writing is good for your Wordpress blog

Many people criticize academic writing. Now the trend is to write a Wordpress post almost in chat style. For me as reader this like junk food.  I like to read some junky posts now and then, but if I want a serious answer to my question that I am looking for, I want substance.  Therefore, perhaps the one thing you can learn from academic writing is use a thesis statement, and defend it (the actual writing style of academics of course is too dry for the web). However, ever post should have a thesis statement.  That is one sentence what you are trying to convey or argue or show. What is wrong with that? This introductory paragraph should contain your thesis statement

Long posts for better ranking

Optimal length for me is about 1000 words.  I know this is a lot but I would prefer to go into detail. If people want to skip the detail they can and just read the summary.  However, long post not only serve the reader better but is better for long tail optimization.

Further, my long post seem to attract more visits.  People tend to link to them more and readers stay on the page longer.  All good for search engine rankings in my opinion.  The web is filled with cute 250 word posts, why not be different and write about something with authority and back it up with detail.

Lists in your post

For some reason my post with summary lists seem to rank better.  I use an Unordered list usually to summarizes the arguments in my post.

At the end of my post I use a list for external links that might be of value. This is done to help reader experience. Many people say I will lose page rank. I do not care, if it helps the read it helps your blog. Just make sure that you link out to quality trusted sites.

Wordpress posts tags, categories and keywords

I only use one tag which is the exact keyword phrase I am targeting.  I also use only one category for each blog post. Not only does this reduce duplicate content issues, I think it makes it look less spammy and more focused.  I know many people write a Wordpress post and want to add everything including the kitchen sick in terms of tags and categories.  I do not like it.  It to me makes it cluttered.

HTML framework for writing your Wordpress blog

Here is an example structure for you to use if you want to write a good Wordpress post. How to write a Wordpress post

Summary of a good SEOed post written in Wordpress

The purpose of writing for the web is to help people answer questions they are looking for, you know the things they type in the search box.   Like the Matrix, they are searching for answers.  Your post should be written to help them in a clear way, not a cutesy, sensational way, but a valuable way.  If you write posts like this search engines will reward you. It is a long run content strategy and this is what you should focus on, the long term when you are writing your WP posts.

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