Originally published November 6, 2010. Updated October 14, 2026.
You want to write a blog post, but the blank page keeps winning.
Start smaller. Pick one question your clients ask and answer it the way you would during a helpful conversation.
This beginner guide gives you a starting outline. The more detailed writing and publishing process lives in my separate How to Blog guide.
Key Takeaways
- Pick one question you can answer from real knowledge.
- Give the short answer early.
- Use one example or practical check where helpful.
- Review clarity and accuracy before thinking about length.
Written by Dotty Scott
Founder of Premium Websites, Inc.
Empowering small businesses to go from Invisible to Invincible.
Pick One Real Question
Write down a question you’ve heard from a client. It might concern preparation, a common mistake, or how to choose between two options.
Keep the topic small enough to answer well. If the first question opens five unrelated subjects, save those for later. You don’t have to explain your entire business in the first article.
Write the Short Answer First
Pretend someone asked the question during a call. Write the direct answer in a few sentences, then explain why it matters.
Avoid opening with a long introduction about the importance of the internet or business success. The reader came for an answer. Give them enough context to understand it.
Use a Simple Starting Outline
The outline below is a starting point, not a rule for every article. Change it when the question needs a different order or additional explanation.
| Check | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Question | Name the specific problem. |
| Short answer | Give the direct response. |
| Explanation | Show why or how it works. |
| Example | Use a real example or clearly labeled scenario. |
| Next step | Offer a relevant action or resource. |
Add a Real Example or Small Action
An example helps the reader recognize the problem. Use an experience you can describe accurately, or clearly label an illustrative scenario instead of presenting it as a real client story.
You can also give a small action, such as checking a phone link or collecting project details. Choose something that follows naturally from the question rather than adding unrelated tips.
Edit for Clarity, Not a Word Quota
Read the draft aloud. Remove sentences that repeat the same idea. Break long paragraphs and add meaningful headings where they help the answer.
Don’t stretch the post to 500 words or cut it to 300 just because an old guide says so. Google’s people-first content guidance rejects a preferred word count. Complete the answer in clear language.
Check the Facts and the Next Step
Verify claims about current tools, prices, rules, or instructions. If you aren’t sure, research the point before publishing rather than letting confident wording cover the gap.
End with a useful next step: a related guide, a service page, or an action the reader can take. Avoid promises about automatic rankings or guaranteed leads.
Move From Draft to Published Article
Use the established editor and layout for your website. Check the public preview, images, links, headings, and phone view. Keep the title accurate and descriptive.
My complete How to Blog guide covers that workflow, and Make Your Own Blog covers setting up the blog itself.
Save the Next Question and Repeat
Keep a simple list of questions as they arise. A list you actually revisit is more useful than a complicated idea system you abandon.
For a broader plan, read my content-strategy guide. If you’d rather get writing help, see Blog Post Writing. Take it one useful article at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a professional writer?
No. You need a useful answer, clear language, and a careful review. Editing support can help.
How do I know my topic is too broad?
If the outline tries to solve several unrelated questions, narrow the first article.
What should I write next?
Choose another real client question and connect it to the existing article where useful.
