Complete WordPress Blog Post Checklist: Before and After Publishing Guide

Starting a blog post is like setting off on an adventure. You’ve got your map (your topic), your supplies (your research), and your destination (your final draft). But what about the journey? That’s where a WordPress blog post checklist comes in handy. It’s not just about crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s, it’s about making sure your post is ready for the big, wide world of the internet.

After hitting the publish button, there’s still work to be done. Think of it as the after-party cleanup when the guests have gone home. You wouldn’t leave your home in a mess, right? So, why leave your blog post hanging without proper follow-up? From SEO optimization to social media sharing, there’s a whole checklist to tick off even after your post is live. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Key Takeaways

• A WordPress blog post checklist is crucial for ensuring consistent, high-quality content that appeals to your audience and performs well online. It reduces time spent on mundane tasks and maintains operational efficiency.
• Pre-publishing tasks include extensive content research, writing the blog post complete with correct semantic structures (like headers), and optimizing your images with alt tags.
• After hitting ‘Publish’, your work isn’t done. Sharing your new post on social media, scheduling future posts, sharing the post in online forums, sending out newsletters, and creating engaging videos using content from your post, are part of post-publishing duties.
• Proofreading and editing are vital before you hit publish. This includes checking your blog for syntax errors, typos, ensuring semantic headers, and optimizing your images among other things.
• The formatting and layout of your blog post can significantly affect readability and user experience. This includes creating a semantic content structure, utilizing the OMGIMG WordPress plugin for image optimization, ensuring SEO fields are correctly filled out, and promoting your blog post across various platforms post-publishing.
• Adding appealing images and media to your blog post not only enhances visual interest but aids in better SEO ranking. Leveraging plugins like OMGIMG for WordPress can optimize images and improve visual appeal.
• Optimizing your blog post for SEO can improve its visibility on search engines. This incorporates content research, semantic writing, image optimization, adding alt tags, utilizing the OMGIMG WordPress plugin, and filling out SEO fields.
• Sharing your blog post on social media platforms boosts visibility and expands your reader base. This involves sharing posts, scheduling future posts, interacting in online communities, sending out newsletters, and creating videos.
• Monitoring the performance of your blog post using analytics platforms like Google Analytics provides insights into user behavior, enabling you to make data-driven improvements. Other aspects of analytics include tracking social media engagement and email campaign analytics.

Why use a WordPress blog post checklist?

So, after a glimpse into the importance of post-publishing blog duties, you’re probably wondering, “Why does a WordPress blog post checklist matter?” To this, I say, imagine running a “Blog Post Kitchen” – doesn’t it help to have a recipe you can follow every single time to get perfect results?

A detailed checklist acts much like a recipe for a stellar blog post, guiding you step-by-step and ensuring no critical aspect gets missed.

Embarking on a blogging journey without a structured checklist can be like moving around in a maze without a map. An organized checklist navegates the blogging labyrinth, ensuring every task is well-executed and your blog post does well online.

Having a well-formulated checklist can save you time on mundane tasks, and more importantly, it ensures consistency. For the online world, consistency is key as it fosters trust among your audience and provides a harmonious user experience.

Take a look at the main steps that are included, but not limited to, in this diligently conjured WordPress Blog Post Checklist:

Pre-publishing Tasks:

• Research pertinent content, regularly answering questions asked on platforms like Facebook
• Write semantically correct content, complete with relevant headers
• Choose and optimize images for both the featured image and body of content
• Add ‘alt’ tags to images for accessibility

Post-publishing Tasks:

• Sharing your fresh blog post on social media platforms, using catchy titles, striking block quotes and key takeaways
• Schedule additional social posts, featuring compelling content
• Share posts on Facebook groups or forums where your blog post can answer prevalent questions
• Roll out newsletters
• Create engaging videos using content from your posts

As you steadily get the hang of these tasks, you’ll soon be ‘chef-ing’ up impeccable blog posts that’ll be a hit on the internet.

Pre-publishing checklist

In the blogging universe, pre-publication is a critical stage. It’s like fixing the components of your newly purchased IKEA furniture. A task that demands attention, precision, and more significantly, a checklist.

Recipe-like steps govern the drafting of a top-tier blog post. Each of these steps is an ingredient essential to serving your readers a satisfying and engaging dish.

Firstly, researching content is pivotal. That includes answering questions asked on platforms like Facebook and nailing down unique queries in other forums. It’s all about knowing what your audience is looking for and delivering it on a silver platter.

When it comes to writing semantically correct content with headers, I can’t stress this enough. Headers are like signposts guiding your reader through the blog. They provide a sense of clarity and organization, which considerably enhances the reading experience.

Choosing the right visuals can make or break your blog post. Remember the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So, choose and optimize images carefully. All images should have alt tags for accessibility. Alt tags describe the image for search engines and visually impaired users.

To up the game, I recommend using the OMGIMG WordPress plugin. It’s a fantastic tool that allows you to add post titles and excerpts to your featured image. Using this same plugin, you can craft an Open Graph image that DNA clones your post title and excerpt.

SEO fields? Fill them all. From Open Graph to Twitter to Schema fields, this is a step you’d want to take without fail. SEO optimization is like the spices in a dish. It adds flavor, making your blog post irresistible to search engines.

Now that we’ve cooked our blog post, it’s time to serve it. After publishing, share it to your social accounts, using the title, excerpt, block quotes, and takeaways to lure readers. Consider scheduling future social posts to keep the content fresh and engaging. Engage with Facebook groups or other forums where your blog post could provide answers. Newsletter distribution is another fantastic approach. For those with an appetite for video content, creating videos using content from the post will indeed be a crowd-pleaser.

Proofreading and editing checklist

As we continue our journey down the blogging path, we dig deeper into the intricacies of writing a successful blog post. Proofreading and editing play a pivotal role in the process, almost taking the baton from where content creation leaves it. So, as I assemble the checklist for proofreading and editing, it’s important to note that these steps are as crucial as any others in the blog post journey.

First and foremost, re-reading the content for syntax errors and typos is a step no blogger can afford to miss. A single mistake can create a chink in the armor of otherwise stellar content.

Another aspect that falls under the proofreading umbrella is checking headers. Make sure they are semantic – that is, they accurately represent the content beneath them. This not only helps search engines understand your post better, but it also improves the readability of your blog, making it more user-friendly.

Next, let’s focus on the images. Visual content is like the cherry on top of your blog post sundae, making it more appealing to the audience. Choosing the right images affect the overall look and feel of your blog post. Also, remember to optimize these images by adding alt tags. This ensures that even if the image doesn’t load, readers – and search engines – know what the image is supposed to be.

In line with this, using the OMGIMG WordPress plugin can do wonders to visually elevate your post. This plugin effortlessly adds the post title and excerpt to the featured image, optimizing it for SEO while boosting its visual appeal.

Finally, filling out all SEO fields is crucial to enhance your blog’s visibility. This includes SEO fields for Open Graph, Twitter, and schema.

After publishing and releasing the blog post into the wilds of the web, further steps follow to keep the momentum going. This includes sharing the blog on various social media platforms, posting compelling content periodically, and engaging in Facebook groups or other forums where the blog post might answer questions. Sending out newsletters and creating videos based on the post content can fuel the engagement and grab more eyeballs.

While this might seem like a lot on your plate, remember that these steps play a crucial role in seamlessly knit blogging process, ensuring no thread is left hanging. Let’s keep marching ahead and delve into other significant aspects that ultimately shape the overall success of your blog post.

Formatting and layout checklist

Having gone through the proofreading phase, let’s delve into the essential formatting and layout checklist for a WordPress post. Remember, the visual appeal and readability of your blog post can make or break a reader’s interest.

I can’t stress enough the impact a well-structured post can have. It’s not only vital for readability but also does wonders for SEO. Here are few pointers to help you ensure your blog is visually appealing:

• Semantic structure: Make sure your headers accurately represent the content underneath. Not just that, critical points should be highlighted using bold or italic characters for emphasis.
• Image Optimization: Alongside the text, it’s the chosen images that speak volumes for your post. Optimize images by adding necessary alt tags for accessibility. For enhancing the visual appeal, I recommend using the OMGIMG WordPress plugin. It not just adds the post title and excerpt to the featured image but also creates Open Graph images.
• SEO fields: SEO fields should be given due importance. The Open Graph, Twitter, and schema fields should be filled out accurately to enhance the blog’s visibility.

Post-publication is equally significant. I’d be doing a disservice if I didn’t touch upon the importance of sharing your post on various platforms:

• Social Sharing: Share the post on your social channels. Use the post title, excerpt, block quotes, or key takeaways to pique the interest of your audience.
• Scheduled Posts: Future social posts should be scheduled with snippets of compelling content from the blog post.
• Groups and Forums: Blogs that answer specific questions can be shared in Facebook groups or other forums. It helps in extending reach and visibility.
• Newsletters and videos: Send out a newsletter covering the blog post. You can also create videos using content from your post. These can be shared widely for better engagement.

There’s more to blogging than meets the eye and these tips will certainly put you on the right track for creating engaging WordPress posts.

Adding images and media checklist

Adding images or media to your blog post is a significant step in the blogging process. It doesn’t just increase visual appeal, but also holds immense weight in achieving better SEO ranking. So, let’s take a stroll through the essentials of this process.

The first crucial point on our checklist is image selection. Not all images are created equally, and finding the right one requires some effort. The chosen images should relate to the blog post’s content while stimulating the reader’s interest. Let’s not forget the impact of a featured image! The featured image is typically the first visual that catches the reader’s eye, so remember to make it captivating.

Next on list is image optimization. Slow load times are the bane of every website. Optimizing images by reducing their size can contribute significantly to a faster site load speed. To keep the process streamlined, you can use plugins like the OMGIMG WordPress Plugin or popular online tools like TinyPNG.

Hooking up all images with alt tags stands next on priority. Alt tags are not just important for accessibility, they’re crucial for SEO too! These ‘alt tags’ offer an explanation of your image content to search engine crawlers and those with visual impairments. It’s vital for every image you include in your post to have meaningful, descriptive alt tags.

Time to make our post more accessible on socials like Facebook or Twitter with Open Graph. For this, the OMGIMG WordPress plugin plays a crucial role. This plugin adds the post title and excerpt to the featured image and even allows you to create a tailored Open Graph image.

Last, but not least, don’t forget about your SEO fields. Make sure to fill out all necessary fields, including those specific to Open Graph, Twitter, and schema. This step allows your blog post to be easily discovered and ranked by search engines, thereby enhancing its visibility.

The aftermath of publishing your blog post is just as important. It’s time to let your content shine on social media! Share your post across your social platforms, schedule future posts, engage in relevant Facebook groups, send newsletters, or even create compelling videos using your post’s content. It’s all about getting your post the visibility and attention it deserves. Never stop at just hitting the ‘Publish’ button.

SEO optimization checklist

Conquering the SEO world is made easier with this handy checklist. The steps included here aim to improve your blog’s visibility on search engines like Google.

Content Research: Your journey begins with thorough content research. Try to understand what your audience is talking about on platforms like Facebook or other forums. Listen to their queries, needs, and discuss potential solutions in your posts.

Semantic Writing: Create high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Structure it well with relevant headers to make the content easy to understand and more accessible for search engines to index.

Images Optimization: Images can do wonders to create engagement. Choose appropriate images for the featured content and within the body of the post. Remember, optimizing these images aids faster site loading.

Alt Tags for Accessibility: Never forget to add alt tags to your images. It’s not just beneficial for SEO but also for accessibility; it’s all about creating an inclusive web space for everyone.

OMGIMG Plugin: Use the OMGIMG WordPress plugin to capitalize on Open Graph optimization. It allows you to add the post title and excerpt to the featured image. This plugin also enables you to create an Open Graph image that includes the post title and excerpt.

SEO Fields: Fill out all SEO fields, including Open Graph, Twitter, and schema fields, to bolster your blog’s visibility online.

Once you’ve published your post, don’t just sit back and relax. Your work isn’t done yet.

Sharing and Promoting: Share your post on social media platforms using the title, excerpt, and notable quotes. Schedule future posts to continue sharing compelling content from your post.

Engaging in Online Forums: Become an active participant in Facebook groups or other forums. If your blog post answers the specific questions raised in these groups, share them there – it’s a great way to engage with your reader base.

Mailing Out Newsletters: Convey the essence of your post directly to your audience’s mailboxes through newsletters.

Creating Videos: Capitalize on the popularity of video content. Create videos derived from your post and distribute them on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

Remember, this is just a snapshot of the SEO efforts you should be making. SEO is an ever-evolving field, and it’s crucial to stay aligned with its trends and best practices.

Social media sharing checklist

In the modern realm of blogging, engaging with your audience on social media is essential. I am not saying this lights the sparkle of creativity. Yet, sharing your post on various platforms significantly boosts your visibility and expands your reader base. Apart from that, interacting with your readers through social media allows you to gain valuable input and feedback. Let me guide you through the Social media sharing checklist I swear by.

1. Sharing Posts on Social Media

Ensure each blog post is shared across all your social media platforms. Utilize the title, excerpt, block quotes, and key takeaways from your post. Remember to adjust your message to suit the particular social media environment – what works on LinkedIn might not sound appropriate on Snapchat.

1. Scheduling Future Social Posts

This one’s a game changer – start scheduling future social media posts to share additional compelling content from your posts. Using tools like Hootsuite or Buffer, you can plan when and what you’ll share in advance. It’s an excellent strategy for consistent audience engagement.

1. Participating in Online Communities

Your blog post answers questions, right? Then it’s your golden ticket into relevant Facebook groups and other forums. You can share your post there, contributing to the discussions with your unique insights. It’s a valuable exchange – you offer needed guidance while subtly directing people towards your blog.

1. Newsletter Dispatch

Why yes, newsletters still are a powerful weapon. Have a signup form on your blog, and every time you publish a new post, send out a newsletter with a captivating summary and a direct link to your post. It’s an effective way to keep your loyal readers updated and to draw traffic back to your blog.

1. Video Content Creation

This next step is for those ahead of the curve – creating video content based on your blog post. Platforms like YouTube or Instagram stories are perfect for broadcasting video summaries, animations or quick tips directly derived from your post.

Is there a silver bullet for success? Not quite. But this comprehensive social media sharing checklist should greatly improve reach and engagement for your blog posts. Just remember – social media is a dialogue, not a monologue. Approach your platforms as a master conversationalist – thoughtful, observant, and ever-curious.

Monitoring and analytics checklist

Tracking the Performance of Your Post is a crucial part of my WordPress blogging checklist. An essential facet of this process is familiarizing oneself with analytic platforms like Google Analytics. It’s not only about having content out there; it’s also about understanding how it’s working for you.

Google Analytics delivers comprehensive insights on user demographics, session duration, bounce rate, and so forth. Learning about user behavior on your blog can help you make data-driven changes that amplify the success of your content. So, make sure to review your stats to reveal which contents are the most appealing. It’s your turn to leverage on them to attract even more attention.

Next up is monitoring social media engagement. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer beneficial insights into the performance of your shared content. Some key metrics to consider include reach, likes, shares, and comments. Remember, social media isn’t just a broadcasting platform; it’s a two-way dialogue. So, don’t forget that engaging with your readers is as important as reaching out to your audience.

Finally, you can’t leave out email campaign analytics. If you’re using newsletters to keep your faithful readers updated like me, tools like MailChimp and Constant Contact can provide valuable data. You’ll see who’s opening your emails, clicking on your links, and the time of day they’re engaging with your content. Remember these insights, and you’ll master the art of timing your newsletters.

And there you have it, my reliable Monitoring and analytics checklist for WordPress blogging. Just remember, the process isn’t streamlined. It’s continually evolving as you learn more about your audience, content, and how to best interact in the digital world. Keep exploring, experimenting, and learning to maintain and grow your blog’s success.

Conclusion

I’ve walked you through the WordPress blog post checklist, including crucial steps after hitting the publish button. We’ve seen the significance of tracking blog performance using tools like Google Analytics, and how this data can steer content enhancement. We’ve also touched on the role social media plays in gauging reader interaction, and how email campaigns can help monitor newsletter success. Remember, maintaining a successful blog is an ongoing process. Always be ready to learn, adapt, and grow. Keep these tips in mind for your next WordPress blog post and you’ll be on the path to success.