Whether you are blogging for your business, as a part of your personal brand, or to kick off a cause/hobby you’re passionate about, you, my friend, have many options before you for the types of blog posts you can write as you become the Internet star you were always meant to be.
Below, I have included a list of 51 types of blog posts. Not only can your types of content vary, but the structure and format of your blog content can differ (see the quick lists below).
Note: I originally published this post on a different blog in October of 2013, and then on this website (formerly byRegina.com, now PublishYourThing.com) in April of 2014. But this list of blog post types (or podcast/video episodes) has been completely updated for you 🎉.
Remember this before you dig into this guide 💡. You probably don’t need hundreds of thousands of readers to accomplish your brand goals (unless your goal is to outfame Riff Raff—which I hope you do).
Most bloggers just need to aim for a few hundred (or perhaps a few thousand) engaged readers in order to accomplish their goals. Goals such as building community, selling products/services, launching self-published books, or starting a membership program.
And guess what? The natural search engine optimization (SEO) that happens with high-quality and focused blogging will help you get in front of these new community/audience members.
To illustrate this point:
- One of my blogs hasn’t had any updates for about 2 years and still gets almost 1,000 visitors per day, sometimes more.
- Another blog that I’ve touched maybe twice in the last 3 years still gets about a thousand visitors per week.
Blogging, podcasting, and YouTubing for SEO are at their most powerful when done well and done consistently. However, even when just done well . . . you can take a few years off like I did out of necessity, and still benefit from your work.
As you begin blogging regularly, use this list of blog post types to keep your blog fresh and search engine optimized.
Varying the types of blog posts you write can help you determine what works best for your readers and your business goals.
Different posts attract people who like to learn (or be entertained) in different ways. Switching up your structures/formats/types every so often also expands your creativity and helps you create more valuable material.
Idea 💡: Try one new content type each week for a month (from the list of 51 types of blog posts below) to see how they work for you.
We’ll get into the list of 51 types of blog posts 🖥 (or even: 51 types of podcast episodes 🎧 or 51 types of videos 🎬 for your YouTube channel or Facebook Live show) below, but first, let’s quickly go over blog post structures and formats.
Blog Post Structures
Cornerstone or Flagship or Pillar Content:
The type of blog post you want your website and your brand to be defined by. Usually pretty lengthy. Best fit for in-depth tutorials, manifestos, and guides/lessons.
These are posts that you want to be the best in your industry . . . and if you’re going for high search engine rankings, these are the posts you are willing to put the work in for—to rank #1.
Epic and Episodic Content:
Posts that contain high-quality humor, training, stories, or guidance. You can use these to test new topics/products out. If your blog was a show, these would be the high-quality episodes that people come to expect.
If great SEO is one of your strategies (because you’re going for high-quality, consistent website visits), then these posts will rank well but also support your cornerstone content.
Quick Update Content:
A shorter post that offers insight, knowledge, and/or time-sensitive information to your readers/listeners/viewers. Can also be quick posts that share news, quotes, tips, or inspiration.
These posts are less about search engine optimization (though they can assist your rankings), and more about supporting your audience needs or business needs in real time. You might revamp or remove these posts later.
Note: any of the three structures above can be a part of a:
Series: A set of related posts.
Column: Usually weekly or monthly posts that have the same theme. Ex: Thirsty Thursday Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes, or Ask Rebecca Your Relationship Questions, etc.
Blog Post Formats
- Text
- Video (instructional videos, recorded seminars, tips, tutorials, classes)
- Live Video (broadcasts, webinars, office hours or Q & A’s, masterclasses)
- Audio (podcast episodes—private* or public, an audio course/series)
- Presentation (including slideshows or screen recordings)
- Mix of one or more method in the same piece of content
51 Types of Blog Posts You Can Start Using Today
1. Tutorials are great for SEO and can be easy to prepare.
Tutorials (whether text, images, screencasts, videos, or audio instruction) are one of the most valuable types of content you can write or record because they are excellent for search engine optimization in two ways.
First, a lot of people search Google and YouTube for tutorials for specific software, crafts/projects, DIY design, cooking/baking help, and other technical/everyday tasks. Tutorials are a quick, targeted way to get the help they are looking for.
Thus, tutorials can help attract your audience to you and they can be directly responsible for increasing your search engine rankings since you’re providing exactly what people are looking for.
Second, your tutorials can indirectly affect your search engine rankings by being great supporting content for your cornerstone content or pillar content.
For example, you may have a cornerstone blog post that you want to rank for the search phrase “how to start your own t-shirt business” or “starting a t-shirt business online” . . . well, guess what?
Building out a web of interconnected content helps.
If you build out that piece of cornerstone content, and then follow it up with:
- a tutorial for an online t-shirt design software program; plus
- a design tutorial in Adobe Illustrator; plus
- a tutorial showing someone how to build their own online t-shirt store using Squarespace
. . . then you’re helping Google/YouTube see that your content is even more likely to be of interest to someone searching “how to start your own t-shirt business.”
Just like Nina’s content 👆🏽 is even more likely to be shown to people searching for graphic design content because of how many tutorials she has on Canva (graphic design software).
2. Lists are a simple and attractive type of blog post (or other content type) for you to create.
List posts (or audio episodes, or videos) are an easy type of content for your ideal audience to invest in. Why? Because the nature of a list (which is items, presented in some order) makes it seem simple to interact with and get the value out of.
Basically, when clicking on it to dive into it, people will feel they can easily scan, take note of multiple ideas, and get something concrete out of their time investment.
3. Inspirational or motivational content can be stellar for your brand, especially if you’re willing to do this . . .
In order to create content that truly helps people transform their lives, businesses, homes, careers, mindset (or whatever else you help with), it can be helpful to draw people in with content they think they want, so that you can give them the content, ideas, questions, activities, and services they really need.
What do we mean here?
To be honest, in most industries, inspirational quotes, hilarious “you get me” memes, and motivational thoughts only go so far.
People often click/clap/like/share/comment/read/engage because they want that burst of feel-good hormones/chemicals that day. But, unless you segue (or subtly move) the person to engaging with exercises and actions they can take to make progress, what is it all for?
Disguise or drop in some step-by-step tutorials, how-to content, or thought-provoking questions that beg for a response . . . and then include an invitation to take further action with you.
For example, this “further action” can take the form of a challenge. Or a free consultation call. Or your new book that dives further into the how-to, etc.
If you’re willing to consistently pair each piece of “feel-good” or “give-them-what-they-want” content with a clear and attractive dose of “but-here’s-what-really-helps” . . . then you have the ability to create truly transformational experiences for your blog audience, podcast listeners, or YouTube channel subscribers.
James Clear is an author who is an excellent example 👆🏽 of being able to give inspirational blog content while working in actual steps and memorable processes.
4. “How to _____” articles, audio episodes, and videos are game changers for your readers and your SEO.
People search “how to ___” and “how do you ___” every day in the millions. You can meet their searches with your DIY videos and guides that break down larger processes into simple steps.
5. Current events or hot topics may have their place in your content plan, too.
You may want to write about time-specific controversial topics or news related to your industry. You may even draw parallels between world/local events and your brand. Or perhaps, between popular culture and your work.
Example: 5 Lessons Bruno Mars and ______ (song name) Teaches Us About Social Media for Handmade Business Owners.
Note: these posts and pieces of content can easily become outdated (like finishings or decorations in a house that are “dated” or out of style). In other words, you may find yourself removing or revamping “hot topic” content at times.
6. Prediction content drives curiosity and clicks . . . and can be a major brand builder.
Let’s say you have a unique view on an industry (example: you’ve flipped dozens upon dozens of homes at a profit in recent years). Your predictions of where you see the industry going will be more valuable than most people’s thoughts on it. Your ideas on how new legislation might affect others in real estate are likely to be more accurate and applicable.
Why? Simply because of your time in the game, successfully executing.
What is something similar in your industry that you can “predict” or instruct on with confidence?
It might be new product releases or new technology/updates. Of course, in one sense you’re only guessing at what this may mean for your industry and your readers/listeners, but it will be an educated guess.
“What ____ (new thing that happened) means for how you ____ (do/approach/view something important).”
Example: What Apple’s new privacy updates mean for how you should approach Facebook ads in 2021.
You can see that LYFE Marketing took this approach 👇🏽 by creating a video and blog post with predictions and suggestions based on changes in the advertising industry.
7. Personal stories or anecdotes can entertain, connect, *and* teach.
Use these to establish connections and show similarities between you and your readers, but also to answer some of your readers’ “what if” questions.
“What if I were to start investing in real estate by attempting my first sub $50,000 house flip?”
“What if I cut out dairy for a month, since it doesn’t make me feel that great anyway?”
When listeners hear your story (or readers read it), they will start to get a sense of what’s possible for them if they start making different decisions.
But, at the very least they’ll feel more connected to you and your brand to know something new that makes you similar.
8. Life lessons (or a parable/sermon of sorts) can be meaningful and are often in line with relationship content, life coaching, and personal development brands, etc.
Guarding and guiding emotions is something I take very seriously as I’ve personally witnessed only a few people who are skilled and sensitive enough, plus have the trauma training and variety of life experiences to speak to people’s mental or emotional state.
But. That said . . .
There are a lot of ways to share your insights and experience on personal development and relationships without giving a diagnosis or prescription you may not be in the place to give.
Examples?
- You can talk about your personal experiences and what you learned (and perhaps stress how it likely won’t be the same for everyone).
- Or, you can share insights from popular personality or strengths tests (like the Enneagram, CliftonStrengths, or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).
- You can even give prompts/questions/ideas for journaling, self-exploration, and more.
People need to have certain emotional support and tools to deal with the feelings or realities your guidance will bring up.
Therefore, I believe it’s important to think about what you’re leaving people with and exposing people to by speaking to or around their spiritual, emotional, or mental health.
If you’re talking to people who don’t have the tools to deal with what comes up, are you potentially doing more damage than good?
9. Educational or informative posts are an irreplaceable type of blog post for most brand and business goals.
Let’s say you are establishing a personal brand. Or a brand under which you plan to offer consulting or coaching services . . . or perhaps publish a nonfiction book. Outstanding educational content will help you establish your expertise.
As a result, your content will begin the trust relationship with your reader/listener. Which consequently makes them more likely to become a customer.
Shauna (from The Delightful Clinician) uses her blog content to educate customers and pique their interest in her monthly membership.
For product-based brands or software companies, educational posts will help you train your audience on how to get the most out of your tools/products. You can also create content that’s kinda “product adjacent” (if you will).
Example: you sell candles, but your blog content is around meditation, journaling, yoga, mindfulness, etc.
10. Case Studies and or meaningful statistics and commentary or applications will help people learn by (literal) example.
Actual facts and figures (that are relevant to your audience and will help them transform their own lives/businesses/homes/careers/etc.) make you look even sexier than you already are. So, do some research and give takeaways, key findings, ways to implement the new information, etc.
11. Reviews can be some of your most clicked on posts/episodes.
If you’re a travel blogger, it might be hotel or restaurant reviews.
If you’re in just about any industry, ever, you might review conferences, events, books, or software you have used or been to.
You might be providing movie reviews or music reviews.
Or perhaps your brand is a good fit for reviewing tech and other gadgets your audience has an interest in.
You get the point.
People want to know what to expect before they invest time or money in a product/experience.
In other words: they often actively search for reviews or information on all of the above examples.
And even if they’re not actively searching for it, they may get interested if they see the title shared on social media or elsewhere.
In short, don’t shy away from reviews. They’re helpful for your readers (like this post from Ali Abdaal 👇🏽), and they’re helpful for you.
12. Definition posts or quick glossaries are a type of blog post (or static page) that can create unique value for your readers.
Take the opportunity to demystify complex terms/concepts in your niche or explain industry jargon.
After all, how many times do you search “What is a _____?” online and desire (or even expect) more than a simple Merriam-Webster definition?
13. Beginner’s guides top the list (of types of blog posts) if your site is built for people new to your niche.
Use this wildly valuable audio, video, or blog post type to get people started on major projects or acquainted with your industry.
14. Compilations and resource sharing are wonderful ways to take care of your audience through your blog content.
- You can compile the best of your website’s blog posts on a specific topic into one list (with links).
- Or, for instance, you can bring together links for the best tools/resources around the Interwebs on a specific topic or goal.
- Or even create blog posts that share your favorite _____ for easy reference.
Some examples on that last bullet point:
- Sharing your favorite recipes for a delicious vegetarian brunch, if you’re a wellness expert for example.
- Or, sharing your favorite Facebook ads you’ve seen (to serve as an inspiration gallery for others), if you’re a copywriter for instance.
- Perhaps even sharing your favorite patterns for people sewing their first pair of pants.
Bringing James Clear in as an example again, he compiles the best books in various categories all in one place on his site 👇🏽.
15. Resources you’ve created for a specific purpose can be turned into an announcement *and* teaching type of blog post.
Whether you’ve created an eBook, meaningful manifesto, special report, case study, or some other type of amazing content, you can use one of your blog posts, podcast episodes, or videos to announce it.
You can either share a helpful excerpt or teach from the resource a little bit. Then, in the same post, share a helpful outline or picture of what the full resource includes. And finally, use mockups to visually represent the resource, then link to where it’s available for purchase or free consumption.
16. Expert roundtables/roundups/panels are a great way to position yourself as a learner, curator, and helpful asset for your audience.
Ask people in your field (authors, podcasters, bloggers, or other people with a great reputation for being authentic and helpful) to add their insights on a certain topic. This can be done through a text-based article you compile, a podcast episode you record, or a live panel workshop, for example.
To highlight that “live panel” example:
At the beginning of 2020, I had a customer who wanted to sell her first online workshop/masterclass. She was trying to think of some “sample content” or “lead magnet” style content she could create for her workshop.
Why? In order to (1) encourage people to subscribe or tune in to her, and (2) give her the opportunity to pitch the paid workshop to an engaged audience.
She created a live panel discussion workshop, which she hosted for free on Facebook Live. She invited 3 other experts to give their insights during this roundtable-style discussion.
Since she was in the early stages of building an audience, she was delightfully surprised that her panel video got thousands of views in just a few days. Meanwhile, she sold more than 10 spots to her first online workshop as a result of that free panel.
Your total potential reach expands when you collaborate.
Not only are you able to get your video/article/audio in front of your own audience (however small or large it may be) when you create panel or roundup content, but a lot of times one or more of the experts you featured will share it with their audience as well.
💡 So now you can get in front of your own organic visitors, in addition to some of the experts’ audiences, as well as whoever these initial viewers share your content with with, followed by any visitors that come from finding your content in a search.
You can also put a small budget behind your content (in the form of ads/networks) to get more viewers on your content.
Though my client didn’t use this strategy in this instance, this can work. And it’s something many of my clients have done.
Either way, the idea here is to create one helpful, seamless article (or panel discussion, or other form of content) that your audience can access instead of having to go to multiple different places to find the same level of insights.
If it’s valuable, people will engage with it more, take more action on your suggestions, subscribe to you at a faster rate, and share it with more people.
17. Checklists are a quick type of content to create, but can have a lasting impact for your audience and brand.
Checklists help your audience complete repetitive, difficult, or important tasks more accurately, easily, or efficiently.
Therefore, when people see a checklist online for something they want to accomplish (or learn to do better), it’s gold.
Example: The Yoga Teacher’s Checklist of What to Do Right After Your 200-Hr YTT (Yoga Teacher Training)
Example: The Ultimate Checklist for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning Meetings
18. Interviews are a great way to build valuable video, audio, or blog content with the help of others’ experiences.
It’s interesting that one of the best types of blog posts to grow your brand, doesn’t have to be led by your expertise. You can learn from and lean into other people’s knowledge, and still be the hero in your audience’s eyes.
How does that work? Because whereas they may love your guest and start following them, they are gonna want to tune into you even more. Your listeners/readers will logically think that if you brought them *this* great interview, you’ll bring them more in the future.
Podcasts such as Point of Origin (about cultural traditions in food), Brave Visibility, Smart Passive Income, and Mental are built around interview content and the expertise of others. They are strengthened by the knowledge and stories of the hosts, who experience the most growth from their content.
19. Profile posts can be helpful, inspirational, and informative as a type of blog post or multimedia content.
This can be a writeup on a person, business, organization, or movement of importance to your audience.
20. Problem solving content is one of the most popular types of blog posts (or video/audio content).
In these posts, you can present a common problem your reader or industry has, then offer solutions. This might look like doing a deep dive into one solution, or presenting a handful of solutions.
21. Progress posts are especially great for bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers.
- You can update people on the status of a project (or a new product you’re creating for them)
- Or, for example, if you happen to coach Etsy shop owners on how to use Instagram, you can update people on how much your course customers’ accounts are growing. Or you could show your own IG account growth and link to your related course and guides.
- You could even, for instance, update people on your 30-day challenge to give up sugar. How are you getting through it? What hacks have you learned along the way?
22. Behind-the-scenes posts will help you build trust with your audience and so much more.
- You might be sharing exactly how you do/make something; or
- How you got to your first 100 fans on Facebook; or
- How you look when you wake up and how you style your hair on a bad hair day; or
- Even how much money you made last month from your self-published books, if you teach self-publishing for example
23. Humorous/parody/sarcastic posts may also have an important spot in your brand’s content plan.
It’s not for every brand to the same degree, but most brands can find a place for humor. However, sarcasm and humor may need to be used cautiously if your brand is not based on those things.
One person’s joke is another person’s invitation to cancel culture 🤷🏽♀️.
24. Guest posts are one of the few types of blog posts that don’t rely solely on your expertise and effort.
✅ You want to establish your expertise, however, constantly creating your own content is not the only way to do that
If you’re open to it, you can allow guest blog posts, or create interview podcast episodes or videos. That way, someone else’s experience and insights on a part of your industry can help you build your brand.
It’s a win-win for them and you, since it can theoretically increase both of your visibility.
25. Portfolio content can be used to sell, inspire, teach, and more.
Did you just finish a batch of wedding invitations, or a website, or a high-end kitchen photo shoot? Share it. Even share work that your clients have done (with their permission, obvi).
For example, if you teach a web design class, you can have specialized portfolio blog posts that show your students’ sites. This adds proof to your brand and makes your students feel amazing.
The most valuable types of blog posts for your brand and sales contain some type of “proof” that you can do what you say you can do. If you can mix that proof in with action-oriented and/or inspirational content, then bam 💥, you have a winner.
26. FAQs can be done in a non-boring way.
You want to address people’s frequently asked questions (FAQs), but not in a boring way, right? Try the following with your FAQ content:
- Wherever possible, answer the question with a screenshot from your community/product. Example: answering a question about how many design tutorials are in the course in a straightforward way, then adding a screenshot of a customer raving about the 12 design tutorials. Or adding an image of the course dashboard and design tutorials.
- Include your personality. If these are actually NBAQs (never-before-asked-questions), then be upfront about it.
- Address unspoken fears, legitimate concerns, and what some might consider “limited thinking” without being condescending.
27. Reader feedback posts can serve two key purposes on your blog or podcast/show.
Reader feedback posts (whether text, audio, or video), exist to survey your listeners or viewers. You can use them to ask a series of questions that will help you serve your community better.
For instance, this might look like asking what types of blog posts or videos they want to see. It might also look like asking people to vote on what eBook or product you should release next.
To get the maximum number of high-quality responses to your surveys, you’ll want to be purposeful. Either (1) frame these feedback requests as a service to your community—and mean it. Or, (2) make it quick, easy, and exciting to help you.
People feel connected to the people they’ve helped meaningfully.
28. Infographics will help you communicate visually and draw in data-driven people.
Infographics quite literally take information and make it graphic. How can you share important statistics or messages graphically on your blog or in your YouTube videos?
Your infographics can be as simple as this helpful chart that shows the growth in podcasts’ prominence as a type of content.
29. Memes/comics/cartoons can go a long way.
These are not for every brand necessarily, but they can be massive hits when they are a good brand and audience fit.
30. Cheat sheets are a busy person’s best friend.
These are one of the types of blog posts or videos that get shared the most. Cheat sheets can include study guides, tips, tricks, proprietary frameworks/methods, shortcuts, rules, etc.
For example, if your brand does lots of tutorials on software, your cheat sheets could be simple lists of keyboard shortcuts.
If you are a Japanese language tutor, your cheat sheets could include common verbs.
31. Project-based or goal-based content are one of the types of blog posts that solidify a person’s relationship with your brand.
Option 1: you can invite your readers to complete a goal/project with you—example: go vegan for 30 days, start a blog, etc.
Option 2: you can create a challenge for your audience to go on—something you’ve already done successfully.
Either way, you can then post regular updates, create an online community for participants, encourage community interaction, and even consider handing out awards or badges to your community as they work on each step of their goals.
So why do we say that project-based content is one of the types of blog posts that can solidify a person’s relationship with your brand?
Because if people sign up (in hopes of accomplishing a meaningful goal), and they’re able to accomplish that goal . . . or get closer than they ever have . . . and/or make new friends along the way, you will be forever memorable to them.
32. Contests/sweepstakes (when done the smart way) can be epic community builders.
You’ll want to make sure you are following all local/federal/etc. laws when introducing any type of sweepstakes. These can be a great way to raise awareness of your brand, but they can also get a bunch of people on your email list who aren’t ideal customers.
33. Giveaways or scholarships can create meaningful connection points with your audience.
Again, you’ll want to make sure you’re following all applicable laws when running a giveaway. But, since your scholarship or giveaway is likely to be for one of your programs or tools (maybe with some fun bonuses or gift cards added in), you can be pretty sure that anyone who signs up is a good fit for your brand.
34. Quizzes and assessments are another one of the types of blog posts (or content) that can solidify your place in your audience’s lives.
But, you have to do them right.
We are not talking about the “What type of Disney princess are you?” examples of quizzes, as fun as those are.
We’re more focused on the type of quiz or assessment that gives your audience member key insights into how to accomplish important goals.
So, if your blog and brand help people become better communicators, your quiz might be designed to help people figure out where their passive aggressive tendencies are coming from. And then you may have a follow-up email course that helps them work through some of the basics you teach.
Or, let’s say for example that you sell interior design workshops. You might want to create a visual quiz that helps people define their style. Then, you can follow up their quiz results with tips and tricks on how to build out that style, all while also suggesting the most applicable workshop you have.
35. Seminars and webinars can be versatile, engaging, and very search engine friendly types of content.
- These can be pre-recorded or live.
- You can put them on YouTube and embed them as blog posts on your site.
- Your webinars/workshops can be long or short.
- You can show yourself on video and/or share your screen or slides.
Psst . . . here is our post on the types of workshops you can host.
36. Q&A or office hours content can help you connect and sell like no other type of content.
Decades ago, when people first started using the Internet regularly, it felt like a great place to connect with others. Then, it seems, the Internet became kinda automated and impersonal (emails instead of calls, chat robots instead of humans).
Now, we’re in an age where actual contact and human conversation is standing out and getting noticed. Why? Because people want to use the Internet to really connect again.
And the thing is, if you’re creating a list of content types that can actually help you sell, office hours should be at the top of the list. You can frame these audio, video, or text posts as “Ask Me Anything” or “Come Live to Get Tailored Ideas” instead of just a “Q&A Session.”
37. In-depth answers to reader questions.
Take a question that you found somewhere on the Internet, saw on social media, or overheard at a coffee shop, and make a whole post/series on it. You can even open up a form on your website where blog readers or podcast listeners can submit questions.
The original question asker will feel awesome to get their question answered, and all the people who didn’t think to ask the question but really want the answer will benefit too.
38. Manifestos or rants may have an important place in your brand content.
You may have a goal to build an engaged, like-minded community that provides a safe space for your members. Well, writing a manifesto, and going on controlled rants, can actually help you attract the right people for you and repel the wrong people.
39. Awareness or cause-related blog posts can call people to action and be informative at the same time.
Let’s say you have a sewing membership online with new live classes that happen monthly. But let’s also say that you have a deep interest in obtaining only ethically-sourced fabrics.
Well, you could create a set of awareness posts around the state of the unethical fabric industry . . . all while weaving in points about what makes a high-quality fabric. You can wrap up your blog post or podcast episode by sharing some companies you feel are highly ethical.
40. “Best of” and “Top _____” are special types of blog posts or videos that are both easy to create and consume.
If you’ve been passionate about your topic for more than a day, you’ve probably done a lot of research, reading, and curating.
It should be relatively easy for you to compile the best email marketing software into a video . . . if you’re an online business consultant for example.
41. Image collections or collages can be made into more than just a set of pictures.
Have you seen those types of blog posts that are just “My trip to Italy in pictures” and then you just see anywhere from 10 to 8,700 images dumped on the page?
Whether it’s your trip to Italy or ways to wear a scarf, you can do more than drop some pictures and bounce.
Include some keyword-rich tips and descriptions that will appeal to people searching the web.
Someone might search “best places to visit in Venice” or “non-touristy ways to enjoy Rome” . . . so why can’t you include some tips for them alongside your beautiful images and be more likely to show up in a search result?
42. Events/announcements/updates can make useful pieces of content on their own.
Do you have an upcoming workshop or new product release? Is it your 1-year blog anniversary? Great. Now how can you make it about your customer? Or make it something your new readers should attend?
Will there be prizes? Free mini-courses? Some type of behind-the-scenes or VIP experience?
43. Testimonials or client achievement videos, audio, or blog posts.
A simple 2-sentence testimonial only goes so far in educating, motivating, and selling to your audience. But, what if I told you there were multiple types of blog posts that you can create from testimonials?
- You can do an extended interview with your client and make the testimonial more of an “achievement” video.
- Or you can do a whole podcast episode—landing somewhere in between testimonial quote and full on case study.
- Lastly, you could take multiple quotes from the same customer about your product (example: and online course), and with each point go into a teaching section and highlight how much more there is to learn and do inside your course.
44. Customer showcase content.
Highlight truly unique ways clients are using your tools 🎉. Your readers and potential clients will be inspired and will start to see themselves in your customers’ shoes 🙌🏽.
45. Product use tips are helpful, quick types of blog posts (or other content) that can actually teach you about your own product.
Firstly, you can give product use tips for your own products or other people’s products.
Example: “How to get the most out of your Netflix membership as a screenwriter.”
Where Netflix = someone else’s product. Unless of course you are Reed Hastings reading this post 👀.
Secondly, when you do create product use tips for your own products, you can actually stand to learn as much as your viewers.
How Sway? Because in breaking down something enough to teach it to a newbie, you will challenge yourself to make things simple. And to highlight uncommon features. And to build excitement for the person on the other end.
In other words, showing people how to get the most out of your products can help you grow as a creator and marketer.
46. Meet the team posts are a great way to highlight the people who make your brand and customer service happen.
Introduce readers to your team members or other content creators. In talking about each person or department of your brand, you can simultaneously communicate what they do for your customers/community.
If you’re not making a whole blog post out of this content, it can make a nifty section of your about page 👇🏽 (or neat swipeable posts on Instagram).
47. Entertainment posts are sometimes exactly what more serious brands need.
What do we mean by “entertainment posts” anyway?
Content that is fun, engaging, perhaps story-centered, and doesn’t have tons of teaching points. Literally, they are blog posts, audio episodes, and videos that entertain.
Example: a chef shooting a fake music video about the state of the food industry. Or, if you want to do 1/2 teaching 1/2 entertaining, how about this video explaining the Enneagram personality types with movie characters?
48. Quotes or quote roundups.
Not only can you create great blog content out of a quote (and expanded thoughts) or roundup of quotes, but they makes for great microblogging content (like on Instagram 👇🏽).
49. Your response to other posts/videos/content on the web.
Not only is this the perfect type of video, audio, or blog post when you’re running low on content ideas, but this may be the perfect type of post to help define your brand.
I say that because it can be argued that a brand is as much about what you stand against as what you stand for.
So, if you’re short on content ideas, you could create reaction or response posts to other content . . . but just make sure to make them valuable.
Are you taking a clear stance for legitimate reasons? What can we learn from your stance—as in: how does it help your audience?
Are you doing this just to be controversial or to honestly support your audience in some way?
Keep in mind: sometimes your response posts will actually be videos or text that expands on another brand’s work, not refute it.
50. Revamped posts or follow-up content.
Has a lot changed on Twitter since you wrote that post 3 years ago? Revamp it, bring it into the modern types, and make it a better blog post.
Did you reach the three goals you set out to achieve in that video from a month ago? Update people. And create yet another meaningful piece of content where you can teach new findings and link to previous guides.
51. “Pick of the day, week, month, quarter, or year” may be where you want to go.
Whether it’s clothing, books, blogs, gel pens, Pokémon cards, or some other find/resource you acquire or use regularly, you can always create fun and helpful blog posts or videos that cover your “pick of the ____.”
Or, you can do some unboxings and talk about what’s inside. Unboxing videos are a particularly popular type of content 👇🏽.
Okay, I know that was quite a list, but hey, if you’ve been saying you want to do more blogging, podcasting, or video creation this year, here’s a list 👆🏽 that will let you try one new post type every week of the year (with one week off—figured you could use a break 🤷🏽♀️ . . . you’re welcome).
Photo: Pexels.com
This is so helpful! I actually send my clients this link when they are intimidated about starting a blog. It helps generate so many great ideas. Thanks for this.
Thank you Brittany!
Regina! Again – Genius! Thank you so much for putting together such valuable information. I can tend to get stuck on what to write about and having this structure is so helpful for getting ideas flowing. I wonder if you have a particular idea about what to do with a one year blog anniversary post? One obvious idea is a giveaway. I wonder given that I have a non-product driven business if you have any other ideas? List of top blogs over the year or have them organized by theme? Use this time to ask for reader feedback on what they would like me to address?
Thanks so much,
Amy
Amy, yes! You completely just gave me another post idea (if you don’t mind): How to Celebrate Your Blog’s Birthday or ___ Types of Blog Posts to Celebrate Your Blog’s Birthday, etc., etc., you get the point. I’ll think of a better title later.
Anyhow . . . I think your blogiversary/blog b-day is a great time to promote + grow your blog. I’ve seen them work really well for some people, but, since I find it hard to really pinpoint a start for my blog (I had a consulting website that I blogged on every once in a while, then I started blogging regularly, then I switched domains), I’ve never done one myself.
I’m going to get together a few post/event suggestions for you. I’ll re-comment once they’re ready.
Excellent question and THANK YOU for the inspiration for a post–again, hope you don’t mind!
Regina:
I am so glad that I gave you idea! It’s like you said, that’s the way these things work – we feed off of each other hopefully. 🙂 I feel you have given me a lot already, so I am pleased to have given you a good idea. I would love to see your post.
Cheers,
Amy
So simple yet so insightful……..Thanks !!
Jay,
Thanks for reading and for leaving a comment. I appreciate your time!
HI Regina:
So I took the scary plunge and did a reader survey post yesterday. It was really scary. I worried that no one would comment. I got one person who answered me directly to my email with some vague information about what they would like to see in the future. But besides that, I have to say – NADA. Not one comment. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any insights you might have.
Amy, that’s great that you did something scary.
Side note, just saw a beautiful graphic of this Georgia O’Keeffe quote today: “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”
It made me remember so many of the things I’ve done in business that were ridiculously scary. The reward is always greater than the fear, even if I only learned not to do the same thing in the same way again. But, anyhow . . .
Did you deliver the survey solely on your website? I don’t know what’s happening right now, but the Internet won’t let me get to your site. I get an error when I click on the link in your name or type it in manually. I know that can happen sometimes with web hosts.
Without seeing the survey, I just have a few questions that I hope you don’t mind. Did you make it available anywhere other than your site? How long was it? What was your main goal with the survey? What is your goal right now–to get the survey out in different places (ex: Facebook, email, other social media)?
HI Regina:
Thanks so much for the wonderful quote, it’s a great reminder about the need to do scary stuff, even if it flops! I find practicing taking risks makes my risk taking muscles stronger for the next challenge! Your encouragement helps too. About the link, I wonder if I missed the second “T” when I typed in my website here. it’s http://foxboroarttherapy.com/reader-survey/
My goals: To get more people commenting on the blog. To gather ideas for blog posts that would interest and engage my readers.
Where I Post: my business FB page, my university FB page, local art therapy organization FB page, LinkedIN, Google +, my alumni listserv, my list. (this is the normal list of sites)
Given your questions, I wonder if I was not structured or detailed enough, perhaps?
Any brief feedback or tips you may have are greatly appreciated, many thanks!
Amy
Here’s the text for the blog post:
Dear You:
This week, instead of me talking, I’d like to hear you do some talking.
I invite you to ask me questions, tell me your desires, your worries, or your needs. Tell me about the topics that you would like to see addressed on this blog.
What is irking you? What is your burning question? What’s keeping you up at night? I will blog about as many of these issues as I can.
Some sample ideas might include:
Would you benefit from a list of ideas about how to maintain a healthier work/life balance and good self-care? Do you need strategies for managing anxiety? Are you looking for creative ways to reduce stress? Do you wish you could be in a relationship without feeling like you lose yourself? Or, if you have thought about therapy, but aren’t sure, do you have questions about the process of therapy? Are you wondering how we might use art in session?
I want to be sure that I am addressing the issues that matter to you. You can provide your ideas below in the comments. I can’t wait to hear from you!
All the Best,
Amy
Amy, I think the text you included with the post is wonderful. The questions are excellent as well. I think the one thing that may encourage more responses is building a simple, private, guided way for people to respond. As you said, this might seem more structured and detailed, easier to digest and respond to.
Right now someone would respond in the comment section of the post, which is not a bad thing, but people may feel more comfortable responding in a private survey. The survey could include your specific questions and suggestions, but also leave room for people to type in answers.
There are many services for free forms out there that you could link to, but I used one lately that I think is truly beautiful and simple: http://www.typeform.com/
Perhaps you could set up a survey meant to take 3 – 5 minutes, then you could add the text (“I’d love it if you would take 3 to 5 minutes to fill out this private survey. It will help me write about the things you care about most. I appreciate your time . . .”) or something along those lines. You could even republish the post at that point with the link to the new survey. You might want to somehow highlight (perhaps in the post title or in the custom msg you include with any social media posts) that the survey is a quick private/anonymous one.
It’s just my opinion that this will encourage more + honest responses for this survey or any ones in the future.
It seems like you already promote your content in great places, so perhaps making this change (and of course you could always consider entering any respondents into a small drawing-provided they’re willing to give their email address or something) will help. Let me know what you think.
Regina: What I think, as usual, is that you are an incredible resource! BTW, I just added this page on Stumbleupon because I want to promote you. I don’t know why I did not realize that a private survey is the way to go. Now that you said it, it’s clear. This is a learning process. I can’t wait to check out the link.
Also, in the last few days, I did get a number of comments!
Thanks!!
Amy
Such a terrific listing! I’ve added it as a tool on my blog.
http://seawoman.wordpress.com/free-e-books/
Sandra, thank you so much for the compliment and I’m honored you added this post as a resource on your blog. I appreciate that you’re sharing it. Headed to check out your site now.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am fairly new to blogging and I needed this. Great post!
Siobhan, thank you for that encouragement. Your blog looks wonderful. Wishing you more and more success with it.
I just wanted to say, Thank You, SO much for writing in a positive inspiring format in all your posts. So many other people write in a negative “voice”, it is just very inspiring and motivational to read your posts. They are all crammed with info, and I love it!! You are the number one blog I come to for blogging advice! 😀 Thank you! Thank you! 🙂
Krystina, a few things here:
— Thank YOU so much for being so positive and leaving such a sweet comment.
— I apologize for taking so long to reply. How rude. Please forgive me for that.
— Your blog is so, so, so cute. I adore the header and watercolor feel. I hope you post a lot more.
Thank you for taking time to read and to leave your thoughts.
This is very helpful! Thank you I am searching for blog post ideas because I really want to blog more but I don’t really have that many readers yet, but I love doing it so I’ll keep it up <3 Thanks again 🙂
I think your Blog is Amazing! Thank you for all the valuable information all in one place. I am addicted to your site. Don’t want to leave.
Thank You!!!
Great blog! Great post!! So glad I came across this! 🙂 Thanks, Regina!
Fantastic! What can I say? Such a great resource. I’m starting a new blog and think that I’ll be taking the ‘INFOGRAPHIC’ path at some stage seeing as I have some design experience to get me going. I’m bookmarking your site!
Absolutely LOVE this article – I’m seriously trying to get some structure into my new lifestyle blog and have been *craving* an article like this. I have a feeling I’m going to get lost in your site for the rest of the day ♥
Regina, this was very helpful. I think you are the second one that have said to have a variety of posts on your blog and not focus on one particular niche.
I have tried to narrow it to just sports and travel, but I think I feel more comfortable writing about additional topics along with sports and travel.
Thank you for your great work and I hope you have a great week.
So helpful! Some of these gave me a lot of inspiration. Thank you so much!
Wow! Just wow, found a link to your stuff on pinterest and it is truly Epic! Thank you so much! Ideas are swirling everywhere now 🙂
Yet another brilliant post! Thank you for all of this compact inspiration! I am thinking of printing this list to have as a more constant reference 🙂
Great ideas! Thanks for the inspo!
I am so happy i found you on pinterest. I learned so much just reading all of this. Thank you for being so helpful
🙂
This article has given me some invaluable information! Thank you! As a new blogger (about 4 months old) I’m really trying to learn as much as I can and develop a strategy to increase followers, And continue to enjoy blogging 🙂 Thanks again
This was sooo very helpful. Before coming to this site I was having information overload and I was getting ready to throw my hands up in the air and say forget it, blogging is just way too much… After I read this post I was able to take a deep breath and now I can see clearly. You made me realize that blogging don’t have to be a nightmare. It can be something really fun and enjoyable for everyone. You gave me a very clear road map and helped me to set realistic goals. I am deeply grateful to you for writing this wonderful post. Thank you Thank you Thank you ^_^ I am going to follow your helpful advice to the letter and above all I am going to be patient and just have fun. Thank you again for all your help.
This was such an informative post.
This is a great resource for those days when ideas seem to run dry. Thank you!
Regina,
Excellent breakdown, thank you!
Something’s been on my mind… I create these great blog posts and titles in my mind… But then I think… Hmm… Maybe this is something I should keep for inside my membership… How do you know what to share and what to keep aside?
Thank you so much for this. I was shown this page by a friend who is starting up a business, and she recommended it to me as I am starting a new venture as a blog writer for a company! I had absolutely no idea where to start, despite already running my own blog (bodysexgender.tumblr.com) about social issues. I now have a clear idea of what I can write about. I really have to thank you so incredibly much. Now I’m gonna check out other stuff you have posted to help people like myself!
Much love <3
Jade
So…if I just wrote a post and it doesn’t fit into any of the types is it safe to say its just random babble? And then does that mean don’t post random babble? Things to ponder…
Great advises, thanks you for sharing! I’d like the article even more if you’d added some useful applications. I think they’re a crucial time-saver, so i’m always looking for new ones luckily they’re released quite often. I personally use about 5+ different apps on daily basis. I can’t imagine editing without Whitagram and VSCO Cam because i don’t like instagram’s everlasting filters. Efficient management is impossible without detailed statistics, so Iconosquare.com is my choice. When it comes to following management i use fast-unfollow.com to easily get rid of up to 5000 users not following me back in one day. And finally a scheduler – latergram.me in my case – to keep posting consistently. For most of these apps there are analogues, but always inferior: they have either higher price or fewer functions. If you know some interesting apps please do suggest them to me, i’d highly appreciate that 😉
This list is wonderful. I can take several ideas from it and develop several great posts. One of my favorites is creating an infographic. Thanks for sharing.
This post is really helpful. I look into this when I run out of ideas to post in my blog. 🙂
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing. My mind boggles when I tried to sit down and brainstorm ideas, so it’s great to have something to start with.
What an awesome list! Thanks so much for posting. I am happy to have found your blog. I am sure it will be a great resource for me going forward!
All great suggestions for topics! There’s a lot great variety in this post that helps your audience learn about your blog and you as a blogger.
So inspiring for new bloggers! A good way to start brainstorming about new blog posts. Thanks so much.
Oh, this post was perrrrfect <3 I found this blogpost yesterday and I hooked on your blog. You are amazing!
What a stunning collection! Thank you for so many great ideas!
What great ideas! They don’t all match my blog type but I’m definitely going to try some of these. Thank you!! xx
Great post! Very insightful and informative! Thank you for the incredible tips on how to jump start my blog 🙂
This is a fantastic resource! Just repinned as a constant reminder 🙂
Thank you for this awesome list! I’ve been looking for ideas to shake up my usual posts. I think a “behind the scenes” post is in order soon… I find those so interesting but I’m not sure how to pull one off for my niche. I’ll keep thinking! Thank you 🙂
Super helpful. Thanks!
Very helpful, thanks!
I love the ideas and will definitely use some of them!
Again, thanks! 🙂
Wow!! This post is great! This is definitely one of those, save for later and come back to often type of posts! So many great ideas. Seriously.. so many great ideas, I can’t even pick one to mention about here! Great job!
http://www.luxandlavender.com
Thank you for the great article. This one that should be bookmarked by every blogger.
this is so amazing for a beginner like me. ..made me realize there is so much that i can write about. ..tysm for this lovely post ?
Thankyou so much for these tips. I am new to bloging, your tips will help me more.
If you tell me some improvements for my blog, would be helpfull
technliving.com
so good, so good — love it! very comprehensive
You never, ever cease to amaze me. Don’t ever stop doing what you do, ninja!
This post is amazing, per usual. I had to go back to the beginning of all this amazing info you’ve provided for us. Again thank you!
Wow! This is awesome. I am new to all of this, so this will help me soooooo much.
Great summary, useful resource to get things organized. Simple but helpful insight. Thanks
I am just starting out, what a great resources
Tahnk you for the nice kick in the pants to help pull my spread to thin brain back into focus.
wow this is a good list. The best blog post I’ve seen so far on blog post ideas seriously. very helpful! THANKS!
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Hi Regina. Your blog and posts is very nice 🙂 and inspirationely 🙂 I have one question… How do you make a picture ´´the 51 types of blog posts´´..? Whats programme or what do you use..? Thanks for answer.. 🙂
Good post, Regina. I absolutely loved it. Getting dry of blog post ideas is the common thing all bloggers come across time to time.
I enjoyed this read! I started a blog this week and have no idea what/how to do. I have been winging it and looking for good pointers. This was definitely informative and you give great ideas!
I recently started a blog for our company and find this list very useful. Thank you! Only a handful of them we are using or have thought of so far. This list helps get the creative juices flowing.
Such a great article! I will be referring to this often 🙂
Regina, you have no idea how thankful I am that you took the time to write this informative blog!!! I am a newbie to blogging and this is the first day I have been learning and writing stuff down. And I’m just trying to get started on my new journey. I know it won’t be easy but what is easy? Nothing is never easy but I know this is what I been wanting for a long time now! And if there is any more information or advice you can give me that would be greatly appreciated!!!!
-kristy
Thank you so much for this!!
These are all excellent ideas Regina!
They come in pretty handy, especially after taking a long and much needed break.
I’ll put them to use now that I’m going back to blogging.
Thank you so much for the inspiration 😉
Regina, I stumbled across your blog through pinterest! I found this article very helpful as are most of the other articles I’m now working my way through! Thank you so much for all your articles and information!
Wow this is such a useful post! Thank you 🙂 I will play around with some new ideas… Emily @ Savvy Digital Nomad
I recently started a blog. I’m doing lots of lists and how-to blog posts. I bumped into your site when I was looking for blogging ideas. Thanks a lot for your tips.
lol, I love Lady G! She’s such a great artist.
I’m two years into blogging and the best performing posts for me have been list posts. In addition to being easy to put together, they attract plenty of clicks which drives up the traffic and shares.
Thank you for sharing this! It’s so helpful. I just started a book blog and was looking for more ideas besides just book reviews. I wrote down at least nine types of posts that I want to try. Also, the blog post format was really helpful too!