If you are ready to start blogging for your business but have no idea where to start, don’t worry, I got you! The first thing you need to do is set up a website where your blog can live! And if you want support building that website, book a free consultation and I can help get you started!
TL;DR (What You’ll Learn)
In this guide, you will learn how to create a blog post outline in 20 minutes using a simple 5-step structure I use with clients.
You’ll learn how to:
- Choose the right “content type” for this topic
- Organize a clear outline for a blog post
- Structure your ideas into an outline of content that ranks
- Use a blog post outline template you can repeat
- Personalize your blog outline for SEO + AI search visibility
- Add internal links, external links, and skimmable formatting that Google and readers love!
Introduction
Writing your blog post doesn’t have to feel like a daunting task. I know what that feels like, when you sit down to write your blog post and just stare at a blank page. When you just have no idea where to start and for some reason your mind just can’t think of any ideas. If you can relate to that; you’re not alone, I used to have those struggles too!
So today, I am going to share some simple steps to outline your blog post so that you have a place to start. No more writers block or wasting time trying to figure out where to start!
A simple blog post outline, created in just 20 minutes, can turn your ideas into a clear structure that helps guide your writing.
Whether you’re writing to grow your audience, improve your SEO, or simply show up consistently without the chaos of “What do I write next?”, a strong blogging outline helps you stay focused, strategic, and way less overwhelmed.
Step 1: Start With Your Main Purpose (2 minutes)
Before outlining anything, get clear on why you’re writing this post. This makes the entire outline of a blog so much easier to shape because you have a target in mind!
Ask yourself:
- What problem is this post solving?
- Who is searching for this?
- What transformation or quick win will they get from this specific post?
If the purpose of your blog is to attract your ideal clients, then think about them and how this blog post will help them. Think about the real questions and concerns they have about this specific topic. How can you fully answer that question?
Step 2: Choose the Content Type and Start Drafting your Title (3 minutes)
Think about how best your readers can consume the content for this topic. For example, are you guiding them through a step by step process? Are you sharing your thoughts that can be best delivered in a paragraph, almost essay like format?
Your content type determines how you approach writing for this topic.
Here are some examples:
- A how-to post = a step by step guide
- Sharing a list = numbered or bulleted (listicle) format
- Behind the Scenes or personal perspectives = a paragraph or essay style post
Then start drafting a title for your post. Don’t overthink it, this can always change later!
Step 3: Create Your Main Sections (5 minutes)
These become the “bones” of your blog post outline template.
Your blog outline should include:
- Introduction
- Main points (3–5)
- Step-by-step process OR written in an essay style
- Include personal stories and examples
- Mini FAQ
- Conclusion or recap
Additionally, I recommend you add the following to each blog post so your blog actually helps grow your business:
- CTA to encourage readers to connect with you
- Opt-in form to capture your leads onto your email list
Step 4: Add Bullet Points Under Each Section (8 minutes)
This is where your ideas turn into an actual outline.
Under each heading, add quick bullets like:
- What you want to explain
- Examples
- Steps
- Mistakes
- Tips or templates
- Prompts for the reader
This becomes your outline for a blog post. It’s the part that helps guide your writing!
And remember, these bullet points are there to give points to write about. The format of your post is determined in Step 2.
Step 5: Add SEO + AI Search Optimization (2 minutes)
This step takes the outline from “organized” to search-friendly. I highly recommend this step for all business blogs because the whole purpose of your post is to attract your ideal clients!
To optimize for both SEO and AI Search, include the following:
- Add target SEO keywords to your title
- Add secondary keywords to headers (h2 + h3) and throughout paragraph text where it makes sense for humans to read
- Add target SEO keywords to URL
- Internal links to relevant content
- External links to credible sources
- A strong recap at the end
- ALT text for all images
If you’re not familiar with SEO keywords, you can learn more about them here: What is a Keyword by Yoast
And if you want to learn how to do your own SEO keyword research for FREE, read this post: 4 Ways To Do SEO Keyword Research
Download Your FREE Cheat Sheet
The Plug-and-Play Blog Writing Prompts That Took My Traffic from 3K to 50K Impressions
This free cheat sheet will help grow your reach and visibility faster with AI prompts that will help you write each blog post faster and optimize it for SEO (Search Engine Optimization – think Google) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization – think AI Search).
Blog Post Outline Template (Copy + Paste)
Use this outline for a blog or save it as your repeating template:
Overview of your post:
- Title:
- Purpose:
- Target Keyword:
- Secondary Keywords:
- CTA: (beginning)
Post Content
- h1: Title
- Introduction
- Insert opt-in form
- h2: Heading
- Information in either bullet points or paragraph text
- Use h3 headers as subheading where needed
- Include personal stories and examples
- h2: Heading
- Information in either bullet points or paragraph text
- Use h3 headers as subheading where needed
- Include personal stories and examples
- h2: Heading
- Information in either bullet points or paragraph text
- Use h3 headers as subheading where needed
- Include personal stories and examples
- Repeat as needed
- FAQ
- Questions and answers
- Conclusion
- CTA
FAQ
1. Do I really need a blog post outline?
You don’t have to have one but it does make your writing process easier! A clear outline helps your content rank better and helps keep your writing focused!
2. How long should a blog post outline take?
With practice, your blogging outline should take about 20 minutes.
3. Can I use the same outline every time?
Absolutely! A reusable blog post outline template saves time and keeps your content consistent.
TL;DR (Recap): How to Create a Simple Blog Post Outline in 20 Minutes
Here’s your quick recap of the full process:
- Define the purpose of your post
- Choose the content type and draft a title
- Create your main sections
- Add bullet points under each section
- Add SEO + AI Search optimization
If you follow these steps, it will make your blog writing process so much easier! It will help you reduce writer’s block so you don’t feel stuck when you sit down to write your blog posts!
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