Learn how to structure a blog post to rank in search engines, boost your revenue, and engage readers without sounding like a robot or including endless fluff.

Before We Begin

One of the most common mistakes I see new bloggers make is treating their blog posts like a diary. Gone are the days when you could just spew endless nonsense on a page and attract an audience.

Some readers may still engage with your day-to-day happenings and want an inside scoop into your routines, preferences, and daily habits, the majority of your audience today will simply treat your posts like a transaction.

They want to get in, find what they need, and get out. Save the more intimate stuff for social media, and prioritize informing and educating in your posts.

The Importance of Blog Post Structure

As a result of this transactional browsing method, it’s crucial to format your posts in a way that presents information clearly while allowing readers to easily skim and find what they need. That’s where learning how to structure a blog post comes in handy!

Do a quick Google search on any topic, and you’re almost guaranteed that all the top-ranking posts have some kind of structure, most of which look very similar. Why? Structuring a blog post helps:

Make it easier to read and skim.
Boost its visibility by making it easier for Google to crawl.
Present information in a concise, professional manner, building trust with the intended audience.

How to Structure a Blog Post (for Food Bloggers)

Now that you know why structuring your posts is important, let’s talk about how to actually do it.

Start with a Compelling Headline

Also referred to as the title, this is the first thing readers will see and can often make or break whether they click on your post. Think of it like the cover of a book. You want to make it good.

Your headline should incorporate your primary keyword while also enticing readers. It sounds difficult, but it’s not hard to do. Here are some resources to get you started:

Craft a Clear Introduction

Every post should begin with a clear introduction to the topic being presented so that the reader knows what to expect. Every niche and article will look a little different.

For example, tech articles and scholarly pieces will likely include links to studies and other relevant data points or credentials that prove you can be trusted.

However, we’re talking about food blogs. And I might be a little biased, but I think they’re one of the niches in which you can have the most fun.

For a food blog introduction, there are many different routes you can take. For example, you can:

Sell the recipe by describing its taste, texture, simplicity, etc.
Provide a brief background about its creation.
Explain why it’s perfect for a specific holiday, time of year, or allergy.
Talk about the origins of the original dish.

No matter what avenue you take, make it interesting and concise. In addition, if it’s relevant, include any links to other pages on your site or credible references that can help back up any points.

Break Up the Body with Headings and Subheadings

Nobody wants to read giant blocks of text. That’s one of the quickest ways to get readers to click off the page.

Instead, break up your body with headings and subheadings that provide insight into the information underneath. This not only makes your post easier to skim and read but it also helps make it a lot easier to write.

You don’t have to be boring, though! Infuse a little personality into your topics and don’t be afraid of a little clickbait.

For example, instead of writing “Tips for the Best Pasta” try something like “Perfect Your Pasta with These Easy Tips”. Don’t be afraid to get creative.

Include a Conclusion and Call to Action

Unlike other blog posts, food blog posts don’t necessarily need a recap at the end. That’s what the recipe card is for.

That said, you do want to encourage the readers to take a next step. It might seem obvious, but readers are much more likely to do something if you tell them to or politely ask.

Common calls to action include leaving a comment or rating, sharing the recipe, or following your account on a social media platform. Whatever you choose, make sure to only pick one so as not to overwhelm your readers.

Pro-Tips for Better Delivery

Now that you’ve got your basic outline down, it’s time to make your posts even better. The following items don’t take a lot of time to implement, but they can take your blogs from good to great.

Include a Table of Contents

Place this at the top of your post, usually right after the introduction. This helps readers know what they’re getting into so they can determine if they want to keep reading and also helps them easily find the specific information they need.

Keep Paragraphs Short

Just like you want to break up your post with headings and subheadings, you also want to make paragraphs short. We’re not writing an essay for school. It’s okay to break some grammar rules.

Typically, I recommend making paragraphs no more than two or three sentences long to allow for easy skimming.

Use Your Voice

You want to be clear and informative with your posts, but that doesn’t mean you have to be dry and boring with your copy. Go ahead and incorporate your favorite phrases and sayings!

Include unique cooking tips and anecdotes about why you love a certain recipe or ingredient, and be playful with adjectives and descriptions. This is one of the easiest ways to set yourself apart from generic bloggers and to build an audience (and ultimately a brand).

Speak Plainly

Blog posts are not where you want to try to impress audiences with your immense vocabulary. It will sound pretentious and unapproachable.

Instead, use everyday language that the average person can relate to and understand. If there are specific phrases that are necessary but may not be commonly known, include a brief explanation and links to examples or demonstrations.

The goal is to create posts that can be understood by at least middle schoolers if not elementary students.

Use Transition Words

Not only does this help boost SEO, but it also makes your copy sound more natural and less like a textbook.

In addition, it’s okay to start a sentence with “But” or “And”. Your high school English teacher might come for you, but Google will thank you.

Still unclear on the topic? Check out the resources below!

Don’t Write Just to Hit a Word Count

I can’t tell you how many times I see new bloggers writing 1200 words on a topic that could be covered in 200 just to hit some magical word count. Don’t do this.

Yes, having longer posts can help improve SEO. However, if those posts are filled with fluffy bs, it actually does more harm than good.

Instead, focus on the intent of the post. Write for your readers, including any relevant information and helpful tips that they want and need to know.

As long as the value is there, the rest will fall into place.

Use Bullet Points and Bold Words

I cannot stress the importance of making your posts skimmable enough. Once you’ve got the main factors in place, bullet points and bold words are the extra attention to detail that can make a world of difference.

Incorporate lists, tips, ingredients, and anything else you can shorten with bullet points.
Bold words and phrases that highlight important pieces of the text that your readers shouldn’t miss.

Both strategies are an easy way to draw a reader’s eye to the information they need to know so they can skip over the rest.

Incorporate Visuals and Imagery

Beautiful pictures are a great way to break up lots of text and make your posts more visually appealing. They’re also useful to show specific cooking processes, ingredients, and techniques that can help readers when making a recipe.

However, it’s crucial that your blog images are high-quality, optimized correctly, and related to the post. For example, a picture of the Eiffel Tower in the middle of a post about chicken curry would likely do more harm than good.

That’s it, in a nutshell! I hope you found this post helpful and are feeling ready to create blog posts that captivate your audience, rank on Google, and grow your blog.

If you want more tips and tricks, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive insider knowledge right to your inbox.

Happy writing, friends!

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How to Structure a Blog Post (For Food Bloggers)