Do you know the difference between a meandering blog post and one that holds readers’ attention? It often comes down to planning. Here’s how you create a comprehensive outline that will make clearer, more compelling pieces.
What Is a Blog Post Outline?
You could think of a blog post outline just like a skeleton. It defines the shape and gives your ideas something to hold on to. Unlike messy brain dumps, it forces you to think about structure and reader experience before you start writing.
Many argue that outlining restricts creativity, but that’s not the case. A structured approach pushes you to:
- Identify gaps
- Establish stronger arguments
- Present valuable information in a concise manner
What’s in it for you? Well, outlines cut your writing time in half and turn chaos into clarity.
Tip: Outlining can also be used in essays.
How to Write a Blog Post Outline
Creating a rock-solid outline isn’t rocket science, but it does require a systematic approach. Here’s our step-by-step process for an effective blog outline.
Step 1. Identify the Main Topic
Don’t have a topic to write about? Start by checking your website analytics.
Identify which posts perform well, what problems they solve, and what questions they answer. Combine this with keyword research to find related topics with good search volume and manageable competition.
Here are other strategies to consider:
- Spot competitors’ content gaps using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. Look for keywords they rank for but haven’t fully covered.
- Check blog comments and social media discussions; readers often spell out what’s missing.
- Visit online communities such as Reddit, Facebook groups, or industry-specific forums.
Tip: Need more help? There are free ways you can come up with fresh blog content ideas.
Step 2. Choose a Blog Post Type
Different blog formats serve different purposes, and picking the wrong one can be unnecessarily frustrating.
- Listicles: This blog type uses numbered sections to support the article’s main topic.
- How-to Guides: How-to guides break complex processes into digestible steps.
- Ultimate Guide: This blog type is in-depth, typically 3,000 words (or more), covering every angle and information needed to support the main topic.
- Case Studies: Case studies show a specific example, problem, or solution in action. The catch? You need genuine examples and data.
- Comparison Posts: You compare two or more options to help readers make an informed decision.
Step 3. Decide Your Blog Post’s Angle
Angle is what makes your content stand out. Perhaps you’re writing about social media marketing, but specifically for introverted business owners who hate being on camera.
How to find your angle:
- Identify your unique experience, data, or perspective.
- Consider your audience’s specific context or constraints.
- Explore controversial or counterintuitive takes you can support with evidence.
Tip: Your angle doesn’t need to be revolutionary; it just needs to be specific enough to catch the attention of your target audience.
Step 4. Add Your Main Points
Your main points support your blog post topic.
Let’s say you’re writing about “What Makes a Great Newsletter?” Your main points might look something like this:
- Design and Format
- Subject Line and Preview
- Copy
- Call-to-Action (CTA)
Tips for main points:
- Ensure a logical flow that guides the reader from start to finish
- Avoid random collections, create a coherent journey
Step 5. Build the Subheadings
Subheadings provide the supporting details, examples, and explanations that make each main point clear and actionable.
Taking our newsletter example from Step 4, let’s zoom in on the main point: “Design and Format.” Your subheadings might include:
- Font style and size
- Mobile-friendliness
- Photo size and dimensions
So, when should you use subheadings? Include them if:
- A main point has multiple steps or components
- Readers need clarification on “how,” “why,” or “what”
- You want to make the text scannable for quick reading
- There’s a risk that a single paragraph would become too long or dense
Step 6. Flesh Out Each Subheading
At this stage, you’re not drafting whole paragraphs, just adding bullet points that capture key ideas for each subheading.
Checking again our example from Step 5, when we set the subheading “Font style and size”, it would look like this:
- Best fonts to use in a newsletter
- Worst fonts to use in a newsletter
- Recommended font size for readability
Tips:
- 3–5 bullets per subheading is usually enough
- Make each bullet specific enough to guide writing but flexible for creativity
- Include quick examples, stats, anecdotes, questions, or common mistakes as memory triggers
Blog Post Outline With ChatGPT
Already have the topic and main points, but struggling with subheadings? Use this prompt:
I'm writing a blog post about [insert topic]. I want you to help me create a skeleton outline.
My main points (headers) are: [insert your main points].
Your task is to expand on my main points by building subheadings and then fleshing out each one.
Use bullet points and do not draft whole paragraphs or sentences. You’re Now Ready to Write With Purpose
The outlining process might feel like extra work, but it’s your secret weapon for focused, impactful content. Plus, you’ll write faster, produce better content, and enjoy the process.