How to write a super crazy awesome blog post!
How to become a coach. With Coach Mentor Expert JJ Jalopy.
Good evening!
It’s always a pleasure to have you drop by.
You’re just in time! I’ve just put on some coffee.
Chocolate truffle?
Finger food.
Why not! It’ll compliment the coffee perfectly. Dig in.
I hope you had a good day. Mine was marvelously busy. Now I’m pooped, but there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than relaxing and chatting to you.
Yesterday, I introduced the concepts of systems thinking and process optimization and I talked at length about the best way to put a spatula in the dishwasher.
It wasn’t one of my better posts. 
But it got me thinking:
What makes a good blog post?
I’m pretty new to the blogging world. (I wanted to say blogosphere, but that’s just so 2006… Probably.)
Yeah. I’m pretty new, so I’m not exactly well-qualified to start dishing out blogging advice.
And it’s true that no-one has actually asked me for any blogging advice.
And I should really talk about Kaizen, as I promised you I would yesterday.
But I’m not going to do that today.
Because I got inspired!
Prepare yourself for… drum roll…. The unsolicited blogging opinions of a blogging newbie!
Or in other words… How to write a super crazy awesome blog post!
Now, whilst I may not have a huge amount of experience writing for the internet, I am reasonably self-aware. I can tell that some of my posts are rather good, whilst others are not quite as good.
This got me curious. I asked myself the following questions:
- What is it that makes some posts better than others?
- What actions can I take to make sure I get more of the good stuff in my future writing?
The main purpose of my writing is to inform and educate you and to build and nurture the relationship between us.
Not all blogs have this purpose. Some are primarily there to entertain. Others are more encyclopedic in nature.
That’s okay. For the remainder of our discussion we’ll assume that we’re talking about informative or educational blogs, like this one.
So, with this in mind, I think that the best best posts have:
- a clear message – this is the informative / educational meat of the post
- a context – a creative way of getting the message across: often using story, metaphor or personal experience.
Let’s look at one of my better posts to illustrate this: http://www.jjjalopy.com/the-jj-identity/
The message is that having a positive identity compatible with your goals can help you to overcome procrastination and self-belief challenges.
Great. You can read that in any low quality NLP textbook.
Program me!
The real value of the post is in the context. I tell a story from my own personal experience that everyone can relate to. You are receptive to the message because you have identified with the story.
This may lead you to believe that the context is more important than the message. That would be a mistake. The context is simply a supporting structure to the main message. It is there to open you up to the point being made, or to emphasize it in a vivid way so it sticks in your mind.
This post is another good example. The storytelling devices and analogies support the main narrative in a way which vividly emphasizes the main points. It is this context that makes this a great post, but the context is always subservient to the main message.
Make sense?
Good. So why do I think yesterday’s post sucked a little?
Well the context is easy to identify. I’m giving my own experience of how process-based thinking helped me to put pans in the dishwasher and be a less disgusting individual in general.
The message is that thinking of your business and your personal life as discrete systems and processes can be a very useful thing. The post is an introduction to that concept.
This is fine, but in this case, the context overshadows the message.
It became all about the dirty pans!
Shhh… Don't tell Mrs. Jalopy!
What was frustrating me this morning was that, with a little bit of editing, I could turn it into a great post!
But I’m not going to. Part of the beauty of blogging is that it is imperfect and fresh and ever-changing.
Besides, this post wouldn’t make any sense if I did! 
Another truffle? Go on.. one more won’t hurt!
Now, I want to talk a while on the creative process…
I blog every day. When I wake up in the morning I know I’m going to be writing a post later on that day. Sometimes I will already have a message in mind (such is the case with my series on starting a life coaching business.) Sometimes I won’t.
If I have a message in mind then I’ll make it my intention to come up with a context: a creative way to tell that story. And then I’ll forget about it and go take a shower, go for a walk, read a book, paint the cat…
If I don’t have anything in mind at all I’ll make it my intention to simply come up with ideas for my post. Then I forget all about it and go brush my teeth, go to the gym, watch TV, mow the fence…
I have no idea how this works, but I do know that the subconscious mind is a creative genius.
And brilliant creative ideas are going to pop into my head as if from nowhere as I’m busy dusting the dog.
Where did THAT come from?!
It’s my job to catch these ideas and mull over them for a while. Sometimes I’ll come up with a great topic to talk about. Sometimes I’ll even make full sentences in my head that I will use later in a post. Sometimes I will think of little analogies or little stories I can use as context for the post.
Generally speaking, I’ll have a clear idea of both the message and the context of the post before I even sit down to type.
Sometimes I’ll have a full outline drawn up before I start writing. That’s when it tends to go really well. Here’s an example…
This is what the inside of JJ's brain looks like.
If I don’t start with a clear idea of the message and context, things don’t go quite so well. That’s what happened yesterday. I started writing about cooking (context) and the message of the post was born out of that. Which is fine, but only if the context doesn’t overshadow the main message of the post.
If there’s one lesson I’m going to take from this little session of narcissistic self-analysis it’s this:
Start writing with a clear idea of the message you want to put across and the context in which you will make the message understood.
Do you have any more advice, JJ?
Well, yes I do actually. I’m so glad you asked. Here’s a brief and incomplete rundown of what I think makes a good blog post.
It’s immediately applicable. If I’m reading a blog to find information, as opposed to simply searching for entertainment, then I want something that I can take away and immediately apply to my life. If I simply wanted raw information I would read an encyclopedia. If I simply wanted entertainment then I would watch TV. I go to a blog because I want to find someone who has solved my problem in a specific way, and I want to find out about it.
It’s authentic. Write in your own voice. Be honest. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. If you write with emotional honesty then people will warm to you.
Be interesting. Or in other words, don’t be boring! Don’t give me dry information that I could read in Wikipedia. Entertain me in a way which helps your message to get across. Or make me understand in a way which is emotionally powerful. Check out how Richard Bandler uses storytelling to educate. Be like that.
Make it easy for me to relate to you. We learn through association with things we have experienced or already know. I’ll get much more from your post if you make it easy to relate the concepts you’re explaining to things I already understand. Try to explain tricky concepts in the context of common experiences.
Connect with me. There’s a reason that I write this blog as if I’m talking to you. It’s because I want this to be a community in which we’re all involved. I want this blog to be a dialogue between you and I. I want to build relationships through my writing. I come to a blog because I want to be involved in something larger. Make this easy for me. Make me feel involved.
Notice that I haven’t touched on grammar or any of the stuff your English teacher used to talk about at school. In truth, I don’t care so much about those things as long as I can easily understand your writing. I’d rather be entertained, educated, and touched emotionally than impressed with your use of the subjective tense.
Right… enough of my opinionated ramblings. I think it’s time for bed.
Once again, it’s been an absolute pleasure. I can’t wait to do this again tomorrow. Maybe we’ll even get around to talking about Kaizen!
I’ll see what my subconscious mind has to say about it all!
Take care. Have a great night!
JJ Jalopy.
Become a Life Coach
26 comments so far
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Comment by Lynn Lane
15 April 2009
JJ,
I your brain is just as I pictured it.
I think you have a great feel for what makes a very good blog. Because you have one. You got good flo bro.
Thanks for letting us into your world.
Lynn Lane
http://www.Warriorofsuccess.com
Comment by April Braswell
15 April 2009
you are SUCH a hoot.
DAMN!
ok, 1
when are you joining I mean BEG Kevin to join Inner Circle?
and be SURE to come Wealth Camp in October.
ya know just because you live outside of the US does NOT mean you cannot be part of Platinum…. you and the MRS. Jalopy COULD fly to Vegas once a quarter….
Just a thawt….
All the best,
April Braswell
Dating Expert and Online Dating Coach
Comment by Steve Chambers
15 April 2009
Wow it feels so freeing to be able to comment on this great blog post about making a great blog post.
Very insightful.
Steve
The Sales Eagles
Comment by Don Shepherd
15 April 2009
To say yesterdays post was not your best may be selling it short. I found it very entertaining and that kept me reading and laughing which lead me to the message. while it could have been more of a direct line it kept me on you blog longer to add to your average time on site. Good work!
Don Shepherd
oregon or bust
Comment by mark mallen
15 April 2009
JJ, great advice on blogging. i actually copied it. my blogging goal is to write 90% as good as you. If you put in a picture of a lobster tomorrow you will have had pictures of all my favorite things. Great way to set the mood for your posts. Mark
Marketingscoops
GlacierIceCream
Comment by Pam Schulz
15 April 2009
JJ –
AWESOME POST!!! I am going to print out your list of what makes for a successful post. In reading your blog, the one thing that always stands out to me is your authenticity and your “voice.” You have the rare gift of making the reader feel as though he/she is sitting down with you having some sort of “refreshment”
and carrying on a lively chat. This is truly a remarkable talent. One, I’m sure, that will draw a large and lively following as you continue to blog as a life coach.
Your blog is always a fun stop along the path! Please say hello to Mrs. J. Next time I’ll bring the chocolate – Godiva okay with you guys?
Another awesome post!
Pam
Great Minds, Great Wealth: How to Raise your Return, Reduce your Risk, Cut your Cost
Comment by Avery
15 April 2009
The dishwashing post was my favorite!
Avery
Comment by Mitchell Rehaume
15 April 2009
JJ,
I love this post as it’s really going to help me with my blog.
Thanks,
Mitch
iPhone Expert
Comment by Duane Cunningham
15 April 2009
My friend!!
Myself thinks one is being too harsh of oneself!
The pursuit of perfection in anything we do is a wonderful thing as long as we realize that it will ‘NEVER’ happen its the perfection of the process which my friend you have a gift for in this connecting with the reader and engaging them!
And Im with April….come hell or high water you need to be in the Inner Circle at at Wealth Camp in October because then I have no excuse for not being there!!
Love your mind mapping too! how did you get that on your site?
Duane
Learn Winning Persuasion
Techniques that Work Like Magic by Tapping Into the Psychology of
the Mind with Persuasion Expert Duane Cunningham!
Comment by Darryl Pace
15 April 2009
JJ,
That post was meant for me! I’m going to have to study it so I can use its instructions.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Comment by Rob Northrup
15 April 2009
I agree with your thoughts on this, and it is an important topic to keep from getting burned out on blogging, and boring your readers… (whivh you haven’t done so far and I don’t think you will).
I also think that everyone needs to remember that a paragraph or two can be plenty to think about for a fresh blog post.
Seize the Day,
Rob
Sales Eagles Soar Above the Competition!
Personal Asset Protection For Small Business Owners
Comment by Bob Kaufer
15 April 2009
JJ,
None of your posts have been bad from my perspective. I enjoy reading your writing. I also like that hand drawn road map.
Great stuff
Bob Kaufer
Z Health For Life
Comment by John Ho
15 April 2009
Awesome post to share wisdom on how to do winning blog!
You give us details as well.
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress)
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (Vox Blog)
Comment by Philip Graves
15 April 2009
Reading your advice on blogging is a no-brainer.
You have a great style and a great understanding of why it works for you.
I like to give posts a context too; sometimes the information is so exciting that the temptation is to get it out directly, but I think that’s a mistake.
Thanks for the superb lesson.
Philip
Consumer Behaviour Expert
[The Consumer Behaviour Research Resource]
Comment by Tim
15 April 2009
Please list a few ‘high grade’ NLP books please.
Dig the Mind Map, gotta give Buzan credit so we don’t end up in court.
Tim
The meaning of your communication is the response you get. Ouch! Why does my foot hurt?!
Comment by Mesha Casper
15 April 2009
Bravo once again my friend,
thanks, Mesha
I have a lot to learn from you!
Comment by Lisa McLellan
15 April 2009
I didn’t have a problem with yesterdays post. I have to admit that it was the first one that I read all the way through. I read slowly and we have about 18-20 blogs to read and comment on, and write our own post, on top of listening to audios, watching videos, reading emails and documents, and then dealing with life – kids, cooking, cleaning, job, etc. I don’t have time to read so much. I was happy to finally get through your whole post. It’s good stuff, and hopefully after the course is over I can come back and read all of what I missed. Don’t sell yourself short, your posts have all been great!
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert – Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Comment by Steven Casper
15 April 2009
My wife sent me here she says you are a blog genious. I see that once again she is right.
Steven
Comment by Pat Becker
15 April 2009
JJ,
Mindmap of brain = sheer genius. Don’t put yourself down for any of your blogs. I just love how we go rollicking through. Saving this post on developing a blog as a guide to my own posts.
-Pat
Business Owners Fast Track to Internet Profits
Comment by Sonya Lenzo
15 April 2009
You are one of the few with a real “voice” and that is a true gift.
SunnyMarie
http://www.sunnymarie.wordpress.com
Comment by Yann Vernier - ProfitsTactics.com
16 April 2009
I can relate to 99.5% of your analysis (The 0.5% is because my brain scan is a little quirckier than yours – nobody’s perfect!) .
Not many people take the time to learn from their disappointments. Doing so helped create a very useful and practical system to write unique, effective, super freakin’ awesome posts… It perfectly concludes JJ Jalopé’s story!
Anyone looking at starting an online business would do well to read this a few times.
All the best,
Yann
Comment by Anthony Lemme
16 April 2009
You make some fantastic points but more importantly, you make them stickier with your fun and interesting writing style. I must disagree and say that yesterday’s post was great. Great information all around. I have already blogged for the day but know that I am already a better blogger after reading your post. Many thanks!
I agree Yann about learning from your disapointments. You turned what you saw as straw into gold!
Kind Regards,
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com
Comment by David Power
20 April 2009
Love the post…keep them coming!!!
Expert in Medical Hypnosis, Success Thinking and Practical Parenting
David Power’s Hour