Make your blog writing top heavy. Leave your introduction and exposition and background and picture and video for the end of your blog piece. A lot of people use the WordPress Reader to decide if they will read or like your story. If all they see is a picture or a reason why you wrote the piece instead of the writing itself, people (I know I have) will skip your piece. For example, if it’s in response to a writing prompt or exercise, put that information at the end.
Also, the most important sentence or stanza is your first one. Make it count. Make it interesting.
Try it! If you see a difference in your stats after a few days, let me know!
If you would like me to check out a specific piece by you, check out my About section for details.
Thanks for your time and attention. I hope I find you in times of great creative energy
Want More Attention? Episode 1, 22 ThursdayJan 2015 Posted in Writing. Be sure to check out her blog.
Note by Judy: The above short essay by Veronica Haunani Fitzhugh gives such good advice that I’ve reblogged it here. I’d like to add that your title is all-important. If your title is just the title of the prompt, there is nothing to distinguish you from 100 other posters. Make your title a magnet that will draw in your reader. I always scan the response page to the prompt, looking for intriguing titles. I read those first, then go back and start at the end and read backwards, thinking there might be more meat in pieces that haven’t been dashed off immediately as soon as the prompt is posted. There are exceptions, of course, but with so much to read, this approach works for me. In addition to The Reader, of course. Happy blogging! Judy
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Oh I’m glad I’m following you! I learned something new today! 🙂
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thank you so much for your support, Judy! 🙂
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While most of what she writes is true, I have personally found that having the compelling image along with a great title is THEE hook. The writing should also be compelling and interesting from the beginning. Great info and thanks for sharing!
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I know, Terri. I go back and forth with this as well. I actually went back and changed today’s post to see how I like it with the picture last. I’ll check it out in the reader and see what I think. I can see the strengths of both views.
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It’s really a conundrum. When I took the Photo 101 course I got tons of views and likes so maybe that’s why I feel that way a little. If I were more of a writer maybe I wouldn’t have to post an image. I know I am visual and personally respond to an image but I generally read the whole post! Let me know if it helps!!
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I feel like an interesting picture can quickly capture my interest along with the title. Judy, I believe you first gave me the advice about the title being key when I first started posting a few months back. Great advice!
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Thank you for this interesting post. I am a new blogger 🙂
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i haven’t visited the ‘new’ daily prompts page this year but i too look for fun titles as first clicks. also just curious if you know anything about the weekly writing challenges – are they coming back at all? thanks for sharing this judy!
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I’ve been looking for them, too. It doesn’t look like they are, does it? I sometimes use the Poets & Writers prompt. You can google it. No page to prompt it on, though. Judy
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Veronica and Judy, great advice which makes ALL kinds of sense. It’s terrible that people are so occupied these days, but we are, and to snag them with that all-important first sentence is a bit like good fishing.
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This is such wonderful – every time you have great surprises!
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