10 questions to ask yourself before publishing a blog post

The content on your blog can cement or mar your reputation, so the stakes are high. Though the desire to hit the submit button immediately after drafting a post is often strong—particularly when you are trying to meet a tight deadline—you’ll do better by taking time to breathe and reflect before sharing your ideas with the world.

Consider these 10 questions before publishing a post:

1. Does the post have a clear message?

What is the central idea of your article? Do you say everything you need to say in a concise, clear, and easy to follow way? While writing, you might veer off topic. As a result, somewhere down the line, the content becomes irrelevant. Budget time for editing after your draft is done.

2. Are you speaking to a specific target audience?

Each blog post you write does not have to apply to your entire audience. Content should speak to specific segments. The tone of the content should also match your brand’s media or social voice, depending on where your content will be distributed.

3. Is the post built around relevant keywords?