You may not be a seasoned blogger just yet but chances are you have heard some truly amazing public speakers. Chances are you’ve also experienced some terrible speakers. As I write my posts and articles to help others refine their ideas, thought processes and writing, I’ve come to realize that blogging is much like public speaking.
Consider this: regardless of the messenger, whether it’s a religious leader with a fiery message from the pulpit or Tony Robbins, the message had to first be well thought out, written and organized. Just like your post.
Here are 3 public speaking tips that apply to writing your blog posts:
1. Prepare for your audience. Know who your reader is, why they would be willing to read your post or opinions, and what they hope to learn. Regardless of the length, keep your post concise and engaging. Like a speaker who dumps too much information on people, bloggers who don’t stay on message will leave readers confused and frustrated too.
2. Write an outline. Have a logical opening, a body with a few main bullet points and a close. Your goal is to get readers “hooked” from the first few seconds. Bring them along through a logical sequence of information that can help them. Have a clear and definitive ending that neatly ties everything together. It can be as simple as one or two lines.
3. Choose your words carefully. Unforgettable speakers take us on a journey with their words, delivery and style. This is because they first wrote their presentation or speech out in fine detail. You can be charsimatic on paper and in your posts as well. The written word can be just as powerful as the spoken word. I’ve been writing news and press releases for 25 years and as a radio news reporter, I quickly learned how to avoid empty words and filler sentences that don’t add to stories. Every word and line should be meaningful and build off of the one before it. Again, stay on message.
Finally, be sure to deliver what you promised in your title and opening. Your ability to stay on message will develop loyal followers. They in turn will be willing to share your links and posts in their own Social Media circles.
(Photo Credit: IMG_6061)
