Business Blog Post Writing

Topic: "5 Ways Small Businesses Can Improve Customer Retention"

Structure:
1. Hook: Start with surprising statistic
2. Problem: Why retention matters for small biz
3. 5 actionable solutions with examples
4. Call-to-action: Free resource download
5. Bio: Author expertise tie-in

Target: 1200-1500 words, conversational but professional tone

Progress:

• Research phase: Gather 3-5 credible sources, competitor analysis
• Outline creation: Hook, 3-5 main points, CTA
• Draft writing: Conversational tone, subheadings every 200-300 words
• Fact-checking: Verify statistics and claims
• SEO optimization: Target keyword in title, headers, and 2-3 times naturally
• Edit for readability: Hemingway app score under 10, short paragraphs
• Add visuals: 1 image per 500 words, alt text included

Example 1: Input: Topic - "Why Small Businesses Need Social Media Marketing" Output:

• Title: "Social Media Marketing for Small Business: 3 Reasons You Can't Afford to Wait"
• Hook: "73% of small businesses that don't use social media fail within 2 years"
• Structure: Problem/solution format with local business case studies
• CTA: "Download our free social media calendar template"

Example 2: Input: Topic - "Cash flow management tips" Output:

• Title: "5 Cash Flow Mistakes That Kill Small Businesses (And How to Fix Them)"
• Hook: Personal story of a local business owner
• Structure: Mistake → consequence → solution for each point
• CTA: "Schedule a free consultation with our accounting team"

• Lead with value: Every paragraph should teach something actionable
• Use the "So what?" test: After each point, ask "Why should the reader care?"
• Include real examples: Local businesses, case studies, specific numbers
• Write scannable content: Bullet points, numbered lists, bold key phrases
• End with clear next steps: Don't just inform, guide the reader to action
• Keep it conversational: Write like you're talking to a friend, not giving a lecture
• Front-load keywords naturally: Don't stuff, but include target terms early

• Generic advice: Avoid "tips that work for any business" - be specific to small biz challenges
• No social proof: Always include examples, testimonials, or case studies
• Weak headlines: Don't use "How to..." every time - try numbers, questions, controversy
• Forgetting the funnel: Every post should move readers toward your business goal
• Too promotional: 80/20 rule - 80% value, 20% promotion maximum
• Ignoring search intent: Match content type to what people actually search for
• No internal linking: Connect to other relevant blog posts or service pages