You’re a busy pet professional. You don’t have time to stare at a blank screen. And you don’t have time to reinvent the wheel every time you sit down to write on your pet service blog. Here is a simple blog post format you can use every time.
A Simple Format
This format is a simple and consistent way to create content for your pet service blog. The format is in three parts:
- Start with a common question asked by your pet parent clients.
- Answer the question as if you were explaining it to a pet parent in a conversation.
- Suggest an easy next step for pet parents to take.
For example, let’s say a pet parent asks how to keep their pet safe and calm on the Fourth of July. Open with that question and briefly explain their concern.
Then answer the question. Give enough detail that a pet parent will feel secure in caring for their pet on the Fourth. But keep the tone conversational, so they can easily absorb the information.
Then wrap up in two or three sentences with a simple first step a pet parent can take, like making sure their evening dog walk doesn’t coincide with nearby fireworks. Encourage pet parents that they have the ability to keep their pets safe and calm on the Fourth.
The Simplicity and Power of Listicles
One of the simplest ways to use this format is through a listicle. In the middle section, where you answer the pet parent’s question, you can answer with bullet points.
In our example above, think about your top five pieces of advice for keeping pets safe on the Fourth. Answer the question with those five bullet points. Then add a few more words, as needed, to explain the bullet points.
Listicles are easy to write because the bullet points are your outline. It’s a simple way to organize and share your main points. Then just fill in a little more detail with each bullet point to make it understandable.
A listicle is easy for your readers. They can skim to get the main points and read the details if they want to know more. Listicles help organize the information for your readers.
Listicles are a powerful way to communicate. People are drawn to lists because they’re simple and memorable. Readers will take time to look at a numbered list because they can get through it quickly—it’s condensed.
The bullet point format is very shareable, and it’s easy to refer back to. Pet parents trust you are sharing your most important points—top five—to help their pet have a safe and calm Fourth. And those lists seem very actionable.
Why a Simple Format Is Best
When you use the simple three-part format for your blog post, you have an excellent way to connect with pet parents:
- They feel heard because you’re answering their most pressing questions.
- The format helps you stay focused on the main topic, which keeps your readers engaged.
- You close by encouraging pet parents to take a simple step and try out one of your suggestions.
If you’ve been overthinking your blog posts, try this simple format and see how it works. It’s a simple way to give valuable information pet parents are looking for. And it’s repeatable, helping you share with pet parents consistently. They will come to see you as the trusted go-to person to help their pets.
Go ahead and give it a try!
Janet Eriksson 