One popular post can generate more links and traffic than several ordinary posts would. However, writing such post usually involves planning and hard work. The following are some guidelines which will help you craft a popular blog post.

1. Read other popular posts

Before crafting your own blog post, you need to read popular posts which have been written by others. What do they have in common? What topics did they cover? Why do they stand out? Popular posts are usually those that have passion and controversy, offering valid information and valuable resources. You can then consider incorporating these elements into your next post.

2. Brainstorm keywords

For your post to become popular, it needs to be centered on what people are looking for within your specific niche. You need to use keywords which will enhance your search engine ranking. However, make sure the keywords are relevant to your post's contents. Using irrelevant keywords might result in a lower ranking.

3. Think of a great headline

The headline or title is the most important element of a post. If it is not catchy, very few people will be interested in reading the post. You should therefore take time to brainstorm before choosing a headline. Make sure the title is relevant to the contents of your post and contains the most popular keywords.

4. Structure the post properly

There are certain structures that are usually more effective than others. For instance, 'Why..', 'How to..' and lists such as '8 Great Tips..' post formats have been proven to grab the attention of more readers. In addition, posts with bullets and bold subheadings are also effective in attracting readers attention.

5. Make it visually attractive

Readers are usually drawn to posts which are visually appealing. Infographics, images or videos can significantly enhance the appearance of your posts and make your web content stand out among others. However, make sure the images and videos used are of high quality.

6. Give a hint

Many readers are impatient and want to know immediately how they will benefit from reading your post. You should therefore start with a short introduction outlining what information the reader will find in the post. For instance, you could say In this post, you will learn 10 strategies for increasing the value of your site'.

7. Use social media to share your post

After creating your post, remember to share it on social networking sites such as Google+, Facebook and Twitter, as well as social bookmarking sites such as Digg, Pinterest and StumbleUpon. You could also encourage your readers to share by providing social media icons within every post.

8. Put in the time

The more time you put into a post, the better it is likely to turn out. Investing more time means that you can format, edit and add more valuable content to your post. Your readers will appreciate your efforts.

Author Bio:
Charles Mburugu is a professional blogger who likes sharing tips for internet marketers and bloggers. Currently, he is writing for Flash templates.