I’ll take you through the process of how to research and write a blog post that ranks–not because it’s stuffed to the brim with keywords, but because it’s packed with information that’s useful to readers.
As a freelance content writer, my writing process is divided into three parts:
- Research
- Drafting
- Self-editing
1. Research
This is the most time-intensive step of a freelance content writer’s process and the foundation of the content piece.
I use a combination of:
- manual search on Google and Bing,
- Frase search for the top 20 SERP results, and
- a GenAI tool like ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity.
I also comb through results on sites like Reddit, Quora, LinkedIn, Facebook groups, Slack channels, and other industry-specific forums.
In addition, I look through social media sites like Twitter and Instagram.
Finally, I will browse through podcasts, webinars, and YouTube videos to find additional insights.
Depending on the topic, I may put up a call for SME input on sites like HelpaB2BWriter or Qwoted to get specific information. Or, I will reach out to SMEs via my LinkedIn network.
I research to understand the topic, and not to find pages I can paraphrase.
So, I use various search strings to clarify my understanding of the topic to such a degree that I can write about it in simple, clear terms.
2. Drafting (+ Outline)
I’m an organized thinker, so I do not write a word until I have put together an outline of the piece I want to write. I use the content brief (if provided) as a starting point.
I’ll talk about how to write a blog post outline in detail in another article. But understand that the outline is not just a skeletal structure with a bunch of H2s and H3s thrown together. It is an evolution of my thinking process – and my understanding of the search intent of the topic.
Putting together an outline helps me spot flaws in my thinking, enables me to order the piece in a logical manner, and determine my “angle,” i.e. what do I want to say with this piece?
It also draws out any questions that may have been unanswered, and that are likely to arise when the reader reads the piece.
With the outline ready, I am finally ready to start drafting the piece.
I tackle the piece section by section, often leaving the introductory portion for the end.
As a freelance content writer, I find that my narrative occasionally changes while I write, and I don’t want to make substantive edits later on in the process to make the beginning and end fit well.
So, I leave the best for the last. Hooks, analogies, anecdotes, or pain point-driven stories – these come to me more easily once I have shaped up the body of the piece.
3. Self-editing
It isn’t “The End” once the draft is written. Not every freelance content writer is aware of this!
Time permitting, I let the draft sit for a day while I put some space between it and my brain that has been swirling with ideas and “clever” turns of phrase for the last 10-12 hours.
Then I return to the piece with an editor’s mindset – and I refine the piece ruthlessly.
At this point, I’m less emotionally invested in the draft, and I have more mental strength to edit out “my darlings” if they don’t work well with the overall goal and intent of the piece.
If I don’t have the time to let the draft breathe, I give myself 30 mintues.
When I return, I use my self-editing checklist to methodically check every aspect of the article.
With a final proofread for those pesky typos, the draft is ready for you!