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Welcome to the fourth post in the series “Write Killer Content” for your blog.
The best way to stay tuned to this series in a more systematic way is to take up the course (free!). The course also includes the free audio version of the course material plus “home work” tasks with every module to help you get the most out of it.
As the title says, in this post I’m going to discuss about identifying the right topics that could be developed into a killer post. You know, not every topic will become a killer.
In the last post we talked about the characteristics of a killer post or the killer idea formula. Let’s refer to it for a moment. Not all the topics can be developed into a killer post – some topics are always boring.
Disclaimer: You could get creative and convert any topic into a killer post by finding the right killer angle – we will talk about it on a later post in the series.
But to jump start writing a killer post it is easy if you could first start with writing those ideas which would certainly become killers – I mean
Here are some of the topics you could develop as killer posts, quite easily.
Case studies
These are unique. They give proof. They help people to make a decision on something. For instance, if your readers are confused about choosing the best email autoresponder, you could provide them a case study.
It is not easy to collect data for a case study. But considering that you are aiming at writing a killer post (which will create buzz and establish your authority in the niche) you should be ready to put some effort in.
Collecting data need not be a highly complicated task. You could even run a simple survey with your newsletter subscribers or even publish your own experiences in trying different email autoresponders.
If you are willing to spend some money in buying internet marketing products, trying yourself and publishing the results as such, people will embrace you :).
I do this for writing review posts. I buy products, test things out and share my experiences with the product. I recently did a detailed comparison of Thesis and Genesis frameworks the same way.
Actionable limited tips/strategies
Here, there are two things to note – (i) actionable and (ii) limited.
Providing actionable tips is highly crucial if you want your blog post to become killer (and go viral) pretty easily. People read your blog post because they are looking for a solution to some “problem” – they might be stuck at something.
If you provide your readers actionable tips that they can go and implement right away after reading your post and see the results for themselves, that would be exactly what they want.
And if you give people what they want, they will make your post viral – you don’t have to work your ass off on it.
The second thing I mentioned above is “limited”. While providing actionable tips is highly crucial, giving your readers a 100 tips in one post isn’t going to get them to action.
As Derek mentioned in one of his webinars, list posts don’t work very well for this reason. People will jump at excitement when they see a list post on something and then probably leave a comment saying “I’ll bookmark this”.
But when you give them limited number - I’d say ONE actionable tip on a blog post or discuss ONE specific problem to the core, then such a post will easily become a killer.
Piggy back
The third easy way to write a killer post is to base it on an already popular (viral) blog post on a popular blog. Now it doesn’t mean that you should write a controversial post or a “I disagree” post in reply to a popular post.
You can still (without disagreeing :)) base your post on a popular post and try to fill the gap. Let me explain.
If you have a killer post idea (and I’m sure you’ve already done your research on it), then you should know who else has written about it, by and large. Just notice the big names. If you find another post on the same or a similar topic, base your post on that post.
For this, first you need to read that popular post carefully to see if it misses anything. If you find anything, then you’ve identified your sweet spot. Sit down and write your killer piece. Don’t forget to link to that popular post.
Alternatively, if you can implement the strategy mentioned in the popular blog post, monitor your results and you can present your results to your readers in the form of a blog post. Again, don’t forget to link to the popular blogger.
Here you have it…
3 potential blog post angles/topics that can easily (and most definitely) become killer posts. But it doesn’t mean that you should always follow only these 3 angles to create killer content.
In fact I’m gonna teach you, in one of the upcoming posts of the series, how to get creative and transform any idea into a killer post.
But for start, these 3 templates work like a charm.
The best way to stay tuned to the series in a more organized way is to join the course (for free!). Click here to do so.
As always, I appreciate your comment.
A killer article can have many points or just one depending if you are looking to solve a big problem or not.
Short posts that go the core of the problem is always welcome but sometimes a plan “B” for any user is a valuable option for them.
Killer articles need to be to the point and show extreme value.
Well said Sam, thanks for stopping by!
Arjhae Nicol says
I knew it that this was only a teaser. You got us with this one. Those three ways in your topic was a stepping stones, but on the first one was very risky. Yes, in fact, it’s true! You must testify it by yourself before you take a move to encourage readers to use the product/s. Like they say, “the more you risks, the more you could gain!”.
Arjhae, that’s right isn’t? We should not keep ourselves from taking risks if we are biz people
In my personal opinion it is a great tips that target mass appeal. If you are able to explain properly, how to solve that, i think that become a killer post all the time. Am i right Jane?
That’s right Rakesh
Derek says
Awesome
I have to Dig Up the rest posts as i just found this
thanks
saad naeem says
will definitely check it out , just not getting time to catch up with your stuff.
Great post , treat your blog like a kitchen and become a world known chef of it.
saad naeem recently posted..PopUp Domination 3.0 Review – WordPress Plugin
That’s a cool analogy Saad!
Thanks, Great tips for marketing blog posts, In my opinion bloggers should look for trending topics and do well research to write killer content
That’s right Gautham. Staying in the loop and staying updated is very crucial!
Lakshmi Balu says
I too think these 3 templates work like a charm. I have found a lot of blogs that would list out ‘must have’ business mobile apps but as a reader I chose one particular blog that comprehensively detailed me the pros and cons of one popular business app. Thanks for pointing out those things that may have not been noticed!
IMO a list will create the spark for sure. But to win real appreciation and to take the post viral, it is not enough. People need more indepth stuff. Thanks for stopping by Lakshmi.
I’ve read a quote from a professional writer(one of the best guest bloggers) saying “if you want to guest blog for the biggest blogs, list posts can help you to do that easily”.
Even I love to read or write list posts. Because WE are lazy no matter how good the meat in it, we always skim. Content HOOK is important rather than the type of posts(my view).
And I like the 2nd category of posts, I want to write more of them. BTW your crafting is going viral(I call it as Derek’s impact ;)) day by day mam.
Robert says
List post is great. It can be used as both a hook tool for your blog and a great resouce of that topic so that people will come to your blog again and again. However, I prefer case study post since it gives real experiences.
That’s exactly my opinion as well Robert. List posts highlight stuff but in-depth posts are well received because of their comprehensive nature.
Thanks Rahul. I’ve stolen the Tweet idea from Derek and it does work for making the post go viral!
Talking less and explaining more in a brief is the best appeal for any needs. I think killer posts should be start with proper and short term planning. The more ideas you convey to the people the more attract visitors!
Yup, I do agree with you, the planning should be like for satisfying the present need first then we can go for the long terms plans. That’s not only a matter if a people is read your ideas when u posted but your message to the people should be reach in them deeply!
Sanjib Saha says
Well said Jason! Really well said! Talking less and explaining more in a brief is the best appeal for any needs. Coming straight to the info without using unnecessary words is important! And as Jane has said choosing an catchy heading is very important Thanks for sharing!
Pulkit says
Thanks for sharing. I am working as a SEO in a company. I daily do blogging and social media optimization but not getting so much traffic from blogging. What can be the reason?
You should either work yet smarter or wait a little bit more
If your content is kick-ass, you cannot stop people from visiting your site! Good luck Pulkit 
Jane, I see a very good trend for this blog on Alexa. In your particular case which was the main method you used to increase trafic? I believe this commentluv plugin and the “likes” and +1’s it generates have something to do with this success.
George Lungu recently posted..Power Management: An Animated Buck Switching Regulator Model in Excel 2003
Sure George, I’m using the premium Commentluv plugin and it has been one of the best investments I did in my blogging career. You can read my review about the plugin here -
http://www.probloggingsuccess.com/commentluv-premium-plugin-review/
This is not a comment, please discard after reading.
Jane, there is something wrong with the plugin. I cannot change the post that gets the link on my site. It always keeps the last post (in this case “Power Management…” and does not allow me to choose one out of the last ten post published.
Hey George are you a premium commentluv user?
Anton Koekemoer says
Hi Jane ,
Though I will unfortunately not be joining the course - It does sure sounds like a great course after reading the post. There is a couple of great tips all ready in the guideline that you’ve set out. Wondering what other info will be shared in the course. I’m sure there’s a big interest in the course from your readership.
So glad that you like the post and the course so far Anton
I’m sure you will like the rest of the modules!
The killer post, what is it if it won’t kill you first? I mean if you read your own writing without understanding what you yourself are talking about, how can your readers?
Nice article.. You really have a good ideas. I think these things would really work well. Thank you for sharing, I would definitely do this 😀
Great tips Jane. I prefer the first one myself. Basing everything on a case study is what I like best, but after reading your post I might try some of the other strategies as well.
Mariella Lombardi recently posted..I Feel Fat – Should I Hire A Personal Trainer to Lose Weight?
Great post , treat your blog like a kitchen and become a world known chef of it.Thanks
The most required thing to become a successful blogger includes this thing.
Thank you for sharing these great topics. It is very reasonable that you could base a killer post from an already existing viral post. You can try filling in the gaps by providing a different point of view too.
What a great series Jane, I’ll have to go back and read your earlier ones. I can only imagine how good those are since this one was chalked full of great ideas.
I know in my particular instance I just write and some of the posts that I think would go over more than others surprise me. It’s usually the opposite. I’m thinking this post is okay and the next thing you know it’s got tons of traffic and comments. I never seem to be that great at judging obviously but this is a great recipe to go by.
Thank you for sharing this and I appreciate it as I know many others do as well.
Enjoy your week and thanks again.
~Adrienne
Adrienne, that’s one of the biggest lessons I learned in my blogging career. Guessing never works when it comes to find out what our readers want. Unless we ask them ourselves we’ll never know. And when we come to know what they want, it usually comes with a surprise
Thanks so much for stopping by!