How do you write an outstanding blog post?

I was recently asked, "How do you write an outstanding blog post?"  Tough question.  However, once I get beyond the initial flippant reactions of:

• Why are you asking me?
• I wish I knew!
• If I knew the answer to that I would have done it already.

I find it really is something worth thinking about.  Since I've started blogging back in October of last year I've made over 100 posts.  Some have been pretty lame, some pretty good but not popular, some popular but not all that good (in my opinion) and a few that were pretty good and popular.  Although I believe some are pretty good and that I'm getting better at this I'm not quite ready to call any outstanding yet. (I love a challenge.)

So what does makes a post outstanding?  For me it has 2 elements.

The first element is that you have to a passion about what you're writing about.  The subject of the post has to be important to you.  You are writing about it because you can't not write about it.  You want to scream out "Listen up people, this is important!"  Focus your passion and explain yourself to the world.  Present it in a concise, logical manner but be careful not to limit your passion in quest for editorial splendor.  Let it sit overnight and then go back and punch it up to further make your point and then publish.

If you can articulate your passion in a well thought out manner people will sense it and respond which takes us to the second element - you have to engage your audience.  Reading about your passion is interesting but it you don't give the reader something it won't be an outstanding post.  It's the old WIIFM issue - What's In It For Me?  Make them laugh, make them cry, make them happy, make them angry, calm them down or upset them but most importantly make them think about what you wrote.  Blogging is about carrying on a conversation.  It's about engaging people in a discussion and exchange of ideas.  It's about tapping into their passion even if it is different than yours.

Accomplish that and it is simply - outstanding.  And that's why I love the challenge.

Click the “Bloggy Tag Button” to see who tagged me.  So,  Jonathon, Kent, Grigor, Jason and Susan - How do you write an outstanding blog post?" 

If this topic was of interest, you might also like these:

• Smart Enterprise Magazine - IT Blogs
• Why I Blog: 10 Reasons to Blog To Establish Your Personal Brand
• Should Senior Execs Blog?
• Or the posts in the "Blogging" category