This week my peers and I are learning about storytelling, communication styles and encouraging interaction with your audience. I’d love to share some tips that I have learned about creating a successful blog post or video blog.
I would like to introduce you to the “Inverted Pyramid” method. When writing, you put the most important information at the top of the article, then gradually less important (yet more detailed) information later on. People could stop reading or watching your content at any time, so it’s key to get the headlines and bulk of your information across at the beginning. Stating your purpose upfront will help to hook the reader into wanting to continue reading.
A few important factors when writing blogs or scripts for vlogs are spelling, grammar and punctuation. When speaking, it is key to talk clearly and in a grammatically correct manner. You could have great content planned but if no one can understand what you are saying, your message will not be conveyed. On the same note, practise makes perfect, or at least, it helps you improve. Always proofread your writing or rehearse before filming a video so you can present yourself in the best way possible.
There are five main types of communication; Submissive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive, Assertive and Manipulative. Each one serves a purpose in writing depending on the type of message you want to put out. When writing a blog or preparing a vlog, it can be beneficial to speak in an active voice rather than a passive voice. This is a style choice that is more clear and interesting for a reader or listener. For example, a passive voice would say, “Romance novels are loved by Jocelyn’s Book Club”, but an active voice would say, “Jocelyn’s Book Club loves romance novels.”
Think about the action you want people to take, then compose your content in a way that inspires that action. If you’d like for someone to comment on your post, rather than stating that fact, try asking them a question to grab their attention and get them involved.
To conclude, if you use the “Inverted Pyramid” method, have proper spelling and grammar, proofread, use an active voice and keep your audience involved, then you will be on the right track to having a successful blog or vlog.
Have you ever made a vlog? Do you think a blog post or a vlog would be more intriguing to your audience?
Algonquin College Social Media Certificate Program 