How to Write Your First Blog Post (+Free Checklist for You to Follow)

Here’s the thing: writing your first blog post is harder than it should be. Especially if you’re just starting out. 

You’ve got the ideas. You know what you want to say. But when you actually sit down to write? The cursor blinks back at you on a blank page, and suddenly you’re second-guessing everything. Should you start with a personal story? Jump straight into the topic? How long should it even be?

In 2026, writing a blog post isn’t just about putting words on a page anymore. There are AI tools that can crank out 1,000 words in seconds, which means the bar for what counts as “good content” has skyrocketed. Readers (and Google) can spot generic, soulless writing from a mile away.

But that doesn’t mean your first blog post needs to be perfect, it just needs to be strategic.

I’ve spent years creating blog content: for my own site, for clients in travel tech and SaaS, and as part of product marketing campaigns that needed to actually convert. I’ve written hundreds of blog posts, tested what works, and learned what doesn’t. And honestly? The process doesn’t have to be complicated.

In this guide, I’ll tell you exactly how to write your first blog post: from choosing your topic and researching keywords to optimizing for SEO and hitting publish. Doesn’t matter if you use AI tools or write everything from scratch, this step-by-step process will help you create a blog post that actually gets found, read, and remembered.

Plus, I’ve created a free blog post checklist you can download—it walks you through every step so you don’t miss anything.

Let’s get started.

What Makes a Great Blog Post in 2026

The blogging landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. If the last time you wrote a blog post was in 2020 or 2021, the rules are different now. First up, there’s the AI explosion. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and dozens of other AI writing assistants can generate blog posts in minutes. This has flooded the internet with generic, surface-level content that reads like it was written by a robot—because it was.

But here’s what a lot of people miss: Google got smarter too.

Google’s algorithms now prioritize what they call E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. 

This means that a 2,000-word AI-generated post full of generic tips will get crushed by a 1,500-word post written by someone with actual experience and unique insights.

So what makes a great blog post in 2026?

1. Expertise

You need to demonstrate that you actually know what you’re talking about. This comes through in specific examples, personal anecdotes, industry insights, and unique perspectives that only someone with hands-on experience would have.

2. Structure

Readers scan before they read. Your post needs clear headers, short paragraphs, and a logical flow that makes it easy to navigate. If someone can’t quickly figure out whether your post answers their question, they’ll leave (cue the dreaded increase in bounce rate).

3. Search intent

Every blog post should solve a specific problem or answer a specific question. If someone Googles “how to write your first blog post,” they’re looking for actionable steps—not a philosophical essay about why blogging matters. 

4. Personality

This is where AI falls flat. Your voice, your style, your quirks—that’s what makes people want to read YOUR post instead of the 10,000 other posts on the same topic.

5. Length matters, but not arbitrarily

There’s no magic word count, but your post needs to be comprehensive enough to fully answer the reader’s question. For most informational topics, that’s usually 1,500-2,500 words.

For your first blog post, aim for at least 1,500 words of actual value—not fluff. And trust me, we all know how much ChatGPT likes to use that word so yeah, if I see a blog saying, “I’ll give you the answers no fluff,” I know it’s the AI. The em dash ain’t the only marker and us writers actually like using it a lot.

Long story short: writing your first blog post in 2026 means balancing SEO best practices with genuine human expertise. Google rewards content that’s both technically sound and genuinely helpful.

Before You Start Writing

Before you write a single word of your first blog post, you need to make three key decisions. Skip these, and you’ll end up rewriting everything later—or worse, publishing something that never gets found.

1. Choose Your Topic

The biggest mistake people make with their first blog post is choosing a topic that’s either too broad or something they’re not qualified to write about.

Here’s how to pick the right topic for your first blog post:

• Write about something you actually know. This sounds obvious, but it’s crucial. Your first blog post should showcase your expertise, experience, or unique perspective. If you’re a graphic designer, write about design principles. If you’re launching a travel blog, write about the hidden gems in the city you visited, not a listicle of “50 Best Beaches.”
• Pick something people are searching for. You could write the most brilliant essay on a topic no one cares about, and it’ll collect dust. Check if people are actually Googling your topic before you commit to it. 
• Don’t go too broad. “How to be successful” is too vague. “How to negotiate your first freelance contract” is specific and searchable.
• Consider what you can rank for. If you’re writing about “how to lose weight,” you’re competing with WebMD, Healthline, and every fitness influencer on the planet. Choose topics where you have a realistic shot at ranking on Google’s first page.

Here are some topic ideas by blog type:

• Personal/Professional blog: A skill you’ve mastered, a mistake you learned from, a process you’ve refined.
• Business blog: A common problem your customers face, a how-to guide for your industry, a case study or example.
• Niche blog: A detailed guide on something specific to your niche, a comparison post, a beginner’s tutorial.

The best first blog post topics are specific, searchable, and something you can write about with authority.

2. Understand Your Audience

Who’s going to read this blog post? And more importantly, what do they need from you?

Your audience determines everything: your tone, your depth, your examples, even your word choice.

If you’re writing for complete beginners, you can’t assume they know industry jargon. You’ll need to explain concepts simply and include more foundational information. If you’re writing for an experienced audience, they’ll get frustrated if you over-explain basics. They want advanced insights, not blogging 101.

Ask yourself:

• What problem is my reader trying to solve?
• What level of knowledge do they already have?
• What questions are they asking?
• What would make them choose my post over someone else’s?

This is what I do when I write my writing craft blog posts. A lot of the internet is full of advice like just write and that’s kind of annoying for aspiring writers because yeah, duh—we’re writing. We’re here because we’re stuck. That’s kind of how I came up with top performing blog posts on this site like writing slow romance and writing short stories—I was stuck and knew writers who were stuck too.

The more specific you can get about your target reader, the easier it is to write a blog post that resonates with them.

3. Define Your Goal

Every blog post should have a clear goal. What do you want readers to do after they finish reading?

Common blog post goals:

• Educate: Teach them how to do something or understand a concept
• Persuade: Convince them to see things from your perspective
• Inspire: Motivate them to take action or try something new
• Convert: Get them to sign up, buy something, or contact you

Your goal determines your call-to-action (CTA). If your goal is to grow your email list, your CTA might be “Download my free checklist.” If you’re promoting a service, it might be “Schedule a free consultation.”

Don’t skip the CTA. Even your first blog post should guide readers toward the next step which can be anything from reading another post, subscribing to your newsletter, or reaching out to you.

The 8-Step Process to Write Your First Blog Post

Now that you’ve chosen your topic, identified your audience, and defined your goal, it’s time to actually write your first blog post.

Here’s the exact process I use when creating blog content—whether it’s for a client or my own blog.

Step 1: Keyword Research

Keyword research sounds technical and intimidating, but it’s actually pretty simple: you’re just figuring out what words and phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for information on your topic.

Why does this matter for your first blog post?

Because if you optimize your post around the right keywords, Google will show it to people who are actively searching for what you’re writing about. Without keyword research, you’re just hoping people stumble across your post by accident.

How to do keyword research (the beginner-friendly way):

1. Start with Your Topic Idea 

Let’s say you want to write about “how to create a budget.”

2. Research on Google

Type that phrase into Google and scroll to the bottom of the search results. You’ll see a section called “Related searches” or “People also ask.” These are variations and related questions people are searching for.

3. Do Your Keyword Research

Use free keyword research tools to see search volume and competition:

• Google Keyword Planner: free with a Google Ads account—you don’t need to run ads
• Semrush: the free account is limited but it’s good enough for beginners
• AnswerThePublic: shows question-based searches

Look for keywords with decent search volume (at least 100-500 searches per month) and low to medium competition. As a new blog, you’re not going to rank for ultra-competitive terms like “best laptops” or “how to lose weight.” But you CAN rank for more specific, long-tail keywords like “how to create a budget for freelancers” or “best budget laptops for graphic design.”

4. Choose Your Keywords

Choose one primary keyword (the main phrase you’re targeting) and 3-5 secondary keywords (related terms you’ll naturally include in your post).

For example:

• Primary keyword: “how to write your first blog post”
• Secondary keywords: “first blog post tips,” “blog post structure,” “writing a blog post for beginners”

You’ll use your primary keyword in your title, headers, introduction, and conclusion. Your secondary keywords will appear naturally throughout the post.

Pro tip: Don’t do keyword stuffing. Google’s algorithm is smart enough to recognize when you’re forcing keywords into every sentence. Write naturally and include keywords where they make sense.

For example, my blog post, “How to Build Backlinks to Your Blog (the Right Way),” is competing against sites like Hubspot, Mailchimp and more. So, to rank on the first page, I used keywords like: how to build backlinks to your blog, how to add backlinks to your website, how to create backlinks for a blog, how to backlink your website and more.

Step 2: Analyze the Competition

Once you know your target keyword, Google it. Look at the top 5-10 results. This is about understanding what Google considers high-quality content for this topic, and figuring out how you can do it better.

What to look for when analyzing competing blog posts:

1. Word count

How long are the top-ranking posts? If they’re all 2,000+ words, that’s a signal that Google rewards comprehensive content on this topic. If they’re 800-1,000 words, you don’t need to write a novel.

2. Structure

How are they organizing their content? Are they using numbered lists, step-by-step guides, or narrative explanations? Notice what format works.

3. Headers 

What H2 and H3 headers are they using? This tells you what subtopics they’re covering.

4. Content gaps

What are they NOT covering? What questions are left unanswered? This is your opportunity to create something better.

5. Engagement signals

Do they have comments? Social shares? Backlinks? These indicate the post resonated with readers. 

Your goal isn’t to copy the top-ranking posts—it’s to create something MORE helpful, MORE comprehensive, or MORE unique.

Maybe the top posts are too generic and you can add specific, actionable examples. Or maybe they’re too long and you can make yours more scannable. Or they’re missing a key section that you can include.

My strategy for all my blog posts is to go into specifics. A lot of blogs like to focus on one problem and then link to another blog answering another problem. Readers hate that. If I’m going to read a 2,000+ word blog post, it better answer all my questions. And that’s exactly why I updated this blog post: it was too generic and everyone was talking about the same stuff.

Specificity makes content better because it allows you to demonstrate your expertise without—as ChatGPT calls—the fluff.

Step 3: Create an Outline

This is the step most people skip and it’s a huge mistake. Writing without an outline is like driving without GPS. You’ll eventually get somewhere, but it’ll take twice as long and you’ll probably get lost along the way.

An outline serves two purposes:

1. It prevents writer’s block. When you have a clear roadmap, you’re never staring at a blank page wondering what to write next.
2. It ensures your post has a logical structure. Readers (and Google) reward content that flows naturally from one point to the next.

How to create a blog post outline:

These are your H2 and H3 subheadings. Each H2 should represent a major section of your post, and H3s break those sections into smaller chunks.

1. Start with Your Headers

For a “how to write your first blog post” guide, your headers might look like:

H2: What Makes a Great Blog Post in 2026

H2: Before You Start Writing

H3: Choose Your Topic

H3: Understand Your Audience

(and so on...)

2. Add Bullet Points Under Each Header

Jot down the key points you want to cover in that section. You don’t need full sentences. Just do enough to remind yourself what you’re writing about.

3. Plan Your Intro and Conclusion

Your intro should hook the reader and tell them what they’ll learn. Your conclusion should summarize the key points and include a clear call-to-action.

4. Keep It Flexible

Your outline isn’t set in stone. As you write, you might realize you need to add a section, remove one, or rearrange things. That’s fine. The outline is a guide, not a prison.

Here’s a simple outline template you can steal:

Introduction

- Hook (problem or question)

- Why this matters

- What the reader will learn

- Credibility (why they should listen to you)

Main Content (H2 sections)

Section 1: [Topic]

- Point A

- Point B

- Example

Section 2: [Topic]

- Point A

- Point B

- Example

Conclusion

- Quick recap

- Call-to-action

- Next steps

That’s it. Outlining doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to give you a clear path forward.

Step 4: Write Your First Draft

Okay, this is where most people get stuck. You’ve done your research, you’ve created your outline, and now it’s time to actually write the damn thing.

Here’s the secret to getting your first draft done: give yourself permission to write badly. Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t even need to be good. It just needs to exist.

Set a timer for 60-90 minutes and write. Don’t stop to edit or agonize over word choice. And don’t Google synonyms or rewrite sentences five times. Just get your ideas onto the page.

Writing tips for your first blog post:

1. Write Conversationally

Imagine you’re explaining this topic to a friend over coffee. Use “you” and “I”—unless you’re writing for a company, then use “we.” Ask rhetorical questions. Don’t try to sound like an academic journal.

2. Start with the Easiest Section

You don’t have to write in order. If the introduction feels intimidating, skip it and come back later. Start with whichever section feels easiest to write.

3. Use Your Outline as a Guide

Follow your headers and bullet points. If you get stuck on one section, move to the next.

4. Don’t Worry About Length Yet

You can always add more later. Focus on getting your ideas down first.

5. Ignore SEO For Now

Yes, you’ll optimize later, but during the first draft, just focus on communicating clearly. Forcing keywords into every sentence will make your writing sound robotic.

Where AI tools can help (and where they can’t):

AI writing tools like ChatGPT and Claude can be incredibly useful—but only if you use them strategically.

Where AI Helps:

• Generating outlines
• Brainstorming subheadings or examples
• Suggesting ways to rephrase awkward sentences
• Creating transition sentences between sections

Where AI Fails:

• Original insights and unique perspectives (AI can only remix existing information)
• Personal anecdotes and real-world examples (AI can’t tell YOUR stories)
• Expertise and nuance (AI gives surface-level explanations)
• Voice and personality (AI writing sounds generic)

If you use AI to write your first blog post:

If you decide to use AI to generate parts of your first blog post, follow these rules:

1. Always heavily edit AI-generated content. Don’t just copy-paste. Rewrite in your own voice.
2. Add your own examples and stories. This is non-negotiable. Generic AI content gets ignored.
3. Fact-check everything. AI makes mistakes. Verify any statistics, claims, or technical information.
4. Run it through an AI detector. Tools like GPTzero can help but don’t be too obsessed with it. Lately, these tools keep reading every article as 50% or more AI so it’s really up to how confident you are with your work.
5. Ask yourself: would I be proud to put my name on this? If the answer is no, keep editing.

The bottom line: AI can help you work faster, but it can’t replace your expertise, your voice, or your unique perspective. Use it as a tool, not a crutch. Otherwise, your post will sound like every other AI-generated blog post on the internet—and Google will ignore it.

What I do:

I use AI to create an initial outline and to help me brainstorm if I get stuck. But I write the actual content myself because that’s where my expertise and personality come through. 

What I like to do is that after I’ve done my research—doing my keyword research, looking at competitors, identifying what’s missing and where I can get specific—I feed all of that information to Claude and ask it to create an outline. I also ask it to incorporate the long-tail keywords into the different headings, sections: maybe give me a line or two for particularly awkward phrases. 

Then when the outline is provided to me, I start writing. I write one section at a time and ask Claude for feedback, in case I miss a critical point or keyword. I’ve got prompts for this which I’ve added in my checklist on how to write a blog post below. You can download it and add it to your process. Pretty sure you can use it for any AI tool but ChatGPT’s GPT-5.2 is really bad at remembering context for some reason so I don’t use it anymore.

Step 5: Add Your Unique Perspective

This is the step that separates mediocre blog posts from great ones. AI can generate facts and generic advice. What it can’t do is add YOUR voice, YOUR experiences, and YOUR insights. That’s what makes people want to read your blog instead of someone else’s.

How to make your first blog post uniquely yours:

1. Include Personal Stories

Did you make a mistake when you first started? Share it. Did you have a breakthrough moment? Tell that story. Personal anecdotes make your writing memorable and relatable.

This is why I add my own perspective to a lot of my blog posts. When I’m writing about, say, how to write a fantasy, I always add examples of successful books too. Your insights matter and people actually like them. I’ve had a lot of people email me about it.

2. Use Specific Examples

Don’t just say stuff like “do X or Y.” Show an example of what that looks like. Walk through a real example. This relates to the “show, don’t tell” principle that’s a central keystone of good writing. In this blog post, you must’ve noticed how I’m giving specific examples of keywords, blog post template and more. 

This is what you need to do. It allows you to demonstrate your expertise and help readers understand what you’re saying.

3. Share Industry Insights

What do you know from your work experience that most people don’t? Are you seeing any trends people would be into? What advice do you wish someone had given you?

Everything I talk about here on this blog has to do with my own experience as someone who’s involved in SEO (it’s part of product at work) and feedback I’ve gotten from my editor for all my novel writing related content.

4. Have Opinions

Don’t just regurgitate what everyone else is saying. If you disagree with conventional wisdom, say so (and explain why). If you have a contrarian take, own it. Classic example: my anti-AI stance. I mean, yeah I use it but I think it goes to show how dumb execs are if they think they can be CEO and all their stuff is done by AI. 

That’s why when I’m talking about blogging and SEO—depending on the topic—I do mention how you can integrate AI into it. Because let’s be real: you’re going to be made to use AI at work and if you don’t, people will assume you’re not good at your job and use it as an excuse to fire you. 

Like, a friend of mine was recently made redundant only to be re-hired. Being specific about why she couldn’t use AI or suggesting different ways of using AI in her job would’ve saved her a ton of stress. So—for better or worse—this tech is here to stay so you need to know how to use it to ensure you’re not replaced.

5. Use Your Voice

Do you write with humor? Sarcasm? Extreme earnestness? Whatever your natural style is, let it come through. Don’t try to sound like someone else.

The bottom line: generic content is invisible. Your unique perspective is what makes your first blog post worth reading—and what makes people come back for more.

Step 6: Optimize for SEO

Okay, you’ve written your first draft. Now it’s time to make sure Google can actually find it. SEO (search engine optimization) sounds complicated, but for your first blog post, you only need to worry about the basics.

On-page SEO checklist:

1. Title Tag

This is the clickable headline that appears in Google search results. It should:

• Include your primary keyword
• Be 50-60 characters long
• Be compelling enough to make people want to click

Example: “How to Write Your First Blog Post in 2026: A Complete Guide for Beginners”

2. Meta Description

This is the snippet of text that appears under your title in search results. It should:

• Include your primary keyword
• Be 150-160 characters long
• Clearly explain what the post is about
• Include a call-to-action if possible

Example: “Learn how to write your first blog post with this step-by-step guide. Covers keyword research, SEO optimization, AI tools, and publishing tips for beginners.”

3. URL structure

Your URL should be short, descriptive, and include your primary keyword.

Good:

/how-to-write-your-first-blog-post-2026-guide/ 

Bad:

/post-12345/ or /blogging-101-topic/ 

4. Header Hierarchy

Use H1 for your title, H2 for main sections, and H3 for subsections. This helps Google understand your content structure.

5. Keyword Placement

Include your primary keyword in:

• Your title (H1)
• Your introduction (first 100 words)
• At least 2-3 H2 headers
• Your conclusion
• Naturally throughout the body (don’t force it)

Aim for your primary keyword to appear 10-15 times in a 2,000-word post, but only where it makes sense. Don’t sacrifice readability for SEO.

6. Internal Links

Link to other posts on your blog (if you have them). If this is your first post, you can come back and add internal links later as you publish more content.

Internal linking helps Google understand the relationship between your posts and keeps readers on your site longer.

7. External Links

Link to 2-3 high-quality external sources. This shows Google you’ve done your research and adds credibility to your post.

Link to authoritative sites like industry publications, research studies, or reputable blogs. Don’t link to competitors who are ranking for the same keyword you’re targeting.

8. Image Optimization 

Every image should have:

• A descriptive filename (not IMG_1234.jpg)
• Alt text that describes the image and includes your keyword if relevant
• Compressed file size (large images slow down your page)

Example alt text: “Person writing their first blog post on laptop with coffee.”

9. Mobile-friendliness

Most people read blog posts on their phones. Make sure your post looks good on mobile by:

• Using short paragraphs (3-4 lines max)
• Breaking up text with headers and images
• Avoiding tiny fonts

10. Page Speed

Google rewards fast-loading pages. Compress your images, use a good hosting provider, and don’t overload your post with unnecessary plugins or scripts. That’s it. You don’t need to be an SEO expert to write a blog post that ranks. Just follow these basics and you’re 90% of the way there.

Step 7: Edit and Polish

Your first draft is done. Your on-page SEO is on point. Now it’s time to make your post actually readable. Editing is where good blog posts become great ones.

How to edit your first blog post:

1. Take a Break

Don’t edit immediately after writing. Walk away for a few hours (or a day, if you can). When you come back with fresh eyes, you’ll catch mistakes and awkward phrasing you missed before.

2. Read it Out Loud

Seriously. Read your entire post out loud. If you stumble over a sentence, your readers will too. If something sounds awkward or confusing, rewrite it.

3. Cut Ruthlessly

Every sentence should serve a purpose. If it doesn’t add value, cut it. Look for:

• Redundant phrases (“in order to” → “to”)
• Filler words (“very,” “really,” “actually”)
• Unnecessary qualifiers (“I guess,” “in my opinion”)
• Tangents that don’t support your main point

4. Check for Clarity

Could a sixth-grader understand this? If not, simplify. Replace jargon with plain language. Break up long sentences. Add examples to clarify complex concepts.

5. Use Editing Tools

• Grammarly (free version): Catches grammar and spelling errors
• Hemingway Editor (free): Highlights complex sentences and suggests simplifications
• AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude): Paste sections and ask for editing suggestions—but don’t blindly accept every change. Use your judgment.

6. Check Your Formatting

Scan through your post and make sure:

• Paragraphs are short (3-4 lines max)
• Headers break up the text every 200-300 words
• Important points are emphasized (but don’t overuse bold or italics)
• Lists and bullet points are formatted consistently

7. Verify Your Links

Click every single link to make sure it works. Broken links look unprofessional and hurt your SEO.

8. Double check your SEO

Make sure your primary keyword appears in your title, introduction, a few headers, and conclusion. Verify your meta description is compelling and under 160 characters.

Editing takes time, but it’s worth it. The difference between a good blog post and a great one often comes down to how well it’s polished.

Step 8: Format for Readability

So, now you’ve written a great post. You’ve edited it. Now make sure people actually read it. Here’s the brutal truth: most people don’t read blog posts word-for-word. They scan. They skim. They’re looking for the information they need as quickly as possible.

Your job is to make your blog post scannable.

Formatting tips for your first blog post:

1. Short Paragraphs

No more than 3-4 lines per paragraph. If a paragraph is longer than that, break it into two paragraphs.

Long blocks of text are intimidating. Short paragraphs create visual breathing room and make your post easier to consume.

2. Add Subheadings Every 200-300 Words

Headers act as signposts, telling readers what each section is about. They also make it easy for readers to jump to the section they care about most.

3. Bullet Points and Numbered Lists

Use them when you’re listing items, steps, or tips. Lists are easier to scan than paragraphs and give readers a quick mental break.

4. Bold Key Points Sparingly

Emphasize important takeaways, but don’t overdo it. If everything is bold, nothing stands out.

5. White Space Matters

Don’t cram your post with text. Use line breaks, spacing, and images to create visual balance.

6. Images and Visuals

Break up text with relevant images, screenshots, or graphics. Visuals make your post more engaging and give readers’ eyes a break from reading.

7. Callout Boxes or Quotes

If you have a particularly important point or a memorable quote, set it apart with a callout box or pull quote.

Think of formatting as visual hierarchy. You’re guiding the reader’s eye to the most important information and making it easy for them to find what they’re looking for.

How Long Should Your First Blog Post Be?

This is one of the most common questions I get: “How long does my first blog post need to be?”

The short answer: long enough to fully answer the reader’s question, but not a word longer.

The longer answer: it depends on your topic and your competition. You’ve already looked at your competitors and noted the general word count. If most top posts are 2,000 words, aim for 2,000-2,500. If they’re 1,200 words, you don’t need to write 3,000. But if you feel like they’re missing stuff and want to add more information, go for it.

General Guidelines:

• Informational posts (how-to guides, tutorials): 1,500-3,000+ words
• Listicles (“10 Ways to…,” “Best Tools for…”): 1,000-2,000 words
• Opinion pieces or thought leadership: 1,000-2,000 words
• News or timely content: 500-1,000 words

But here’s the most important thing: quality beats quantity every time.

A 1,500-word post with actionable advice, real examples, and clear structure will outperform a 3,000-word post full of fluff and filler.

Don’t pad your word count just to hit an arbitrary number. Write as much as you need to comprehensively cover the topic, then stop.

If you find yourself struggling to hit a certain word count, it might be a sign that your topic is too narrow or you don’t have enough expertise to write about it in depth. That’s okay—choose a different topic or add more research.

On the flip side, if your first draft is 4,000 words, ask yourself: can I break this into two posts? Is there unnecessary information I can cut? Am I being as concise as possible? If you’re aiming to write comprehensive blog posts like I do guides like I do, don’t obsess over word count. Answer the question, be specific. It’s worked for me.

Common First Blog Post Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

I’ve seen a lot of first blog posts over the years—both my own and from clients and other bloggers. Here are the most common mistakes people make, and how you can avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not Doing Keyword Research

You write a brilliant 2,000-word post about a topic you’re passionate about, hit publish, and…crickets. No one finds it because no one is searching for it.

How to avoid it: Spend 30 minutes doing keyword research before you write. Make sure people are actually Googling your topic. If they’re not, adjust your angle or choose a different topic.

I actually made this mistake with this blog (hence why I’ve updated a three year old blog post). Didn’t do the research because I was more focused on getting my first blog post out. If I’d done the research and seen what everyone was doing, I probably would’ve written a more comprehensive guide.

Mistake 2: Writing Walls of Text

You write in long, dense paragraphs with no headers, no bullet points, no breathing room. Readers take one look at your post and bounce.

How to avoid it: Format for scannability. Short paragraphs, frequent headers, bullet points where appropriate. Make it easy for readers to consume your content.

Mistake 3: No Clear Structure

You ramble. You go off on tangents. There’s no logical flow from one point to the next. Readers get confused and leave.

How to avoid it: Create an outline before you write. Make sure each section flows logically into the next. Use headers to guide readers through your post.

Mistake 4: Keyword Stuffing

You read that you should use your keyword 10-15 times, so you force it into every other sentence—even when it sounds awkward.

How to avoid it: Write naturally first, then add keywords where they fit. If a sentence sounds forced, rewrite it. Google prioritizes readability over keyword density.

Mistake 5: Weak Intro or Conclusion

Your intro doesn’t hook the reader, so they leave before they even start reading. Or your conclusion just trails off with no clear next step.

How to avoid it: Spend extra time on your intro. Start with a problem, question, or surprising statement. End with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and includes a clear call-to-action.

Mistake 6: No Call-To-Action

You write a great post, but you don’t tell readers what to do next. They read it, close the tab, and never come back.

How to avoid it: Every blog post needs a CTA. It doesn’t have to be salesy—it can be as simple as “Download my free checklist” or “Read this related post next” or “Subscribe for more writing tips.”

Mistake 7: Publishing without Proofreading

You’re excited to finally hit publish, so you skip the editing phase. Your post is full of typos, awkward sentences, and formatting issues.

How to avoid it: Always edit before you publish. Take a break, come back with fresh eyes, read it out loud, use editing tools. A polished post makes you look professional.

Mistake 8: Waiting for Perfection

You keep tweaking and revising and never actually publish because it doesn’t feel “ready.” Spoiler: it’ll never feel perfect.

How to avoid it: Set a deadline and stick to it. Your first blog post doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be published. You can always update it later.

Your First Blog Post Checklist

Ready to write your first blog post? Use this checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Before You Write

• Choose your topic
• Identify your target audience
• Define your goal and CTA
• Do keyword research (primary + secondary keywords)
• Analyze top-ranking competitors
• Create a detailed outline

Writing Your Draft

• Write your first draft (don’t edit as you go)
• Add personal examples and stories
• Include specific, actionable advice
• Use your natural voice and personality

SEO

• Include primary keyword in title, intro, headers, conclusion
• Write compelling title tag (50-60 characters)
• Write meta description (150-160 characters)
• Optimize URL (short, descriptive, includes keyword)
• Use proper header hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
• Add internal links (to other posts, if available)
• Add 2-3 external links to authoritative sources
• Optimize images (filename, alt text, compressed size)

Editing and Formatting:

• Take a break before editing
• Read entire post out loud
• Cut unnecessary words and sentences
• Simplify complex sentences
• Use editing tools (Grammarly, Hemingway, AI)
• Break up long paragraphs (3-4 lines max)
• Add headers every 200-300 words
• Use bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate
• Bold key points sparingly
• Add images or visuals
• Check mobile formatting

Before Publishing:

• Proofread one final time
• Check all links (make sure they work)
• Add featured image
• Set categories and tags
• Preview on mobile
• Verify meta description
• Check URL for typos

After Publishing:

• Submit URL to Google Search Console
• Share on social media
• Email your list (if you have one)
• Promote in relevant communities
• Set up Google Analytics tracking

Want this checklist as a downloadable PDF workbook with bonus AI prompts? Grab the free First Blog Post Checklist here:

Once You’re Done, Hit Publish

Writing your first blog post can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to think about: keywords, SEO, structure, formatting, promotion. But honestly, no one’s first blog post is their best work. 

Mine certainly wasn’t. In fact, there’s a very well-known VPN service provider who’s got the very blog post I wrote for them on their website. Sure, they’ve updated it several times for the last seven years but every time I see it, I cringe. Because I have the original copy (screenshot for my portfolio) and it’s just…bad. In hindsight, of course, the client at the time didn’t think so but for me—it’s not it.

The important thing is to start. Write your first blog post, get the ball rolling. Every niche and audience is different and the best way, to create content that isn’t just great but also ranks well, is to start. 

Ready to take your blog to the next level? Check out my Ultimate SEO Guide for Beginners for advanced tips on ranking your content on Google.