Blog Post Outline Pack

What it is

A collection of five proven blog post structures, each optimised for different types of content and audience needs. Rather than staring at a blank page, these templates provide the scaffolding that journalists, marketers, and subject-matter experts use to create consistently strong content.

Each template includes proven sections, transition language, and guidance on what goes in each part. They’re designed to be both SEO-friendly and genuinely useful to readers—balancing search rankings with real reader engagement.

When to use it

Use when:

• Your team writes blog posts regularly but lacks structure
• You want faster time-to-first-draft without sacrificing quality
• You’re training writers on your expected post format
• You need consistency across multiple contributors
• You want SEO-optimised structure without overthinking it

Don’t use when:

• Your blog focuses on highly unique, experimental storytelling
• You’re writing longform narrative journalism (1,000+ words without structure)
• Your industry has very specific publishing requirements
• Post types vary so drastically that templates feel restrictive

Inputs needed

Before starting, gather:

1. Topic and keyword: What’s the post about and what will people search for?
2. Target reader: Who is this for and what question are they trying to answer?
3. Key points: 3-5 main ideas or steps to cover
4. Supporting evidence: Data, examples, screenshots, or case studies
5. CTA purpose: What should readers do after finishing?
6. Rough word count target: 800 words? 1,500? 2,000?

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The template

Five Blog Post Structures

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Template 1: How-To / Step-by-Step Guide

Best for: Practical, actionable content addressing “How do I…?” questions SEO strength: High—targets step-by-step search queries Typical length: 1,200-2,000 words Reader expectation: Clear, numbered steps with visuals

Outline Structure

Headline

[Number] Steps to [Achieve Desired Outcome] OR How to [Achieve Outcome] in [Timeframe] Example: “How to Reduce Customer Support Response Time by 50% in 30 Days”

Introduction (150 words)

• Hook: Why this matters or problem statement
• Promise: What reader will achieve after following these steps
• Overview: How long it takes and what’s needed
• CTA preview: What they’ll be able to do

Context/Prerequisites (100 words, optional)

• What readers need before starting
• Tools, skills, or knowledge required
• Who this is/isn’t for

Step 1: [Clear action title] (200 words each)

• What: What is this step?
• Why: Why is it important?
• How: Instructions (numbered sub-steps if needed)
• Visual: Screenshot, image, or diagram
• Common pitfall: What to avoid in this step

Step 2, 3, 4, etc.

[Repeat structure above]

Troubleshooting / Common Mistakes (150 words)

• 3-4 things people commonly get wrong
• Quick fix for each

Conclusion (100 words)

• Recap the process
• Celebrate achievement
• Point toward next step or related resource

CTA

• “Start implementing today”
• Link to related template, tool, or next piece

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Template 2: Listicle / Round-Up

Best for: Curating insights, tips, or ideas on a broad topic SEO strength: High—“X ways to…” and “X reasons” are common searches Typical length: 1,000-1,800 words Reader expectation: Quick, scannable insights; each point self-contained

Outline Structure

Headline

[Number] [Adjective] [Nouns] to [Achieve Outcome] Examples: “7 Essential Tools for Remote Teams” | “5 Common Mistakes New Managers Make” | “10 Ways to Boost Employee Engagement”

Introduction (150 words)

• Hook: Why this topic matters right now
• Promise: What reader will learn from the list
• Context: How you selected these items (research, experience, data)
• Benefit preview: How they’ll use this information

List introduction (50 words, optional)

• Brief preview of the list
• Why you organised it this way (if applicable)

Item 1: [Title] (150-200 words each)

• What it is: Clear definition or explanation
• Why it matters: How it solves the problem
• How to use it: Application or implementation tip
• Example or visual: Real-world instance

Item 2, 3, 4, etc.

[Repeat structure above]

Comparison table (optional)

• If comparing items, show differences side-by-side
• Helps readers choose what applies to them

Conclusion (100 words)

• Recap the list
• Synthesise common themes
• Point toward next step
• Which item resonated most?

CTA

• Download list as PDF
• Explore related resource
• Start with one item

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Template 3: Case Study

Best for: Demonstrating real results and proving concepts work SEO strength: Medium—targets brand-specific searches, great for conversion Typical length: 1,500-2,500 words Reader expectation: Authentic story with specific metrics and replicable lessons

Outline Structure

Headline

How [Company/Person] [Achieved Result] OR [Company/Person]: [Challenge] to [Outcome] Example: “How TechStart Reduced Churn by 35% Without Discounting”

Introduction (150 words)

• Context: Who is this about? Brief overview
• Problem: What challenge were they facing?
• Intrigue: Why is this interesting or surprising?

About the Company/Situation (200 words)

• Background: Size, industry, role of person/team
• The challenge: Specific problem or obstacle
• Why it mattered: Business impact or urgency
• Previous attempts: What else had they tried?

The Solution (400 words)

• Approach: What did they decide to do and why?
• Implementation: Steps they took, changes made
• Challenges encountered: Obstacles during execution
• How they overcame them: Problem-solving approach
• Visuals: Screenshots, process diagrams

The Results (300 words)

• Key metrics: Specific, quantified outcomes
• Timeline: How long did results take?
• Unexpected benefits: Additional wins beyond the original goal
• Visual: Charts, graphs, before/after comparison

Key Lessons / Takeaways (200 words)

• What worked: Core success factors
• What matters most: Singular biggest insight
• What they’d do differently: Honest retrospective
• Who should replicate this: What’s the applicability?

Conclusion (100 words)

• Powerful summary of the journey
• Inspiration for reader’s own situation

CTA

• Schedule discovery call
• Download resource mentioned
• Read similar case study

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Template 4: Thought Leadership / Opinion

Best for: Establishing expertise and perspective on industry trends SEO strength: Medium—more about authority than keywords Typical length: 1,000-1,500 words Reader expectation: Fresh insights, contrarian takes, or expert perspective

Outline Structure

Headline

[Contrarian view] OR Why [Industry assumption] is Wrong OR The Future of [Topic] is [Unexpected direction] Examples: “Why Your Marketing Funnel is Outdated” | “The Age of Privacy is Actually the Age of Transparency”

Introduction (150 words)

• Hook: Surprising statement or question
• Stakes: Why this matters to your audience
• Your thesis: What you believe to be true
• Preview: How you’ll support this perspective

Context / Background (150 words)

• Current thinking: What does conventional wisdom say?
• Why it made sense: Historical or practical reasons
• Why it’s changing: What’s shifted or evolved?

Main argument: Point 1 (300 words)

• Assertion: What you believe
• Evidence: Data, examples, research supporting it
• Implication: What this means
• Visual: Graph, statistic, or image

Main argument: Point 2, Point 3 (repeat above)

Counterarguments & Nuance (200 words)

• Valid concerns: What might people reasonably object to?
• Where you agree: Acknowledge the grey area
• Why your view still holds: Stronger conclusion

Implications / Call to Action (200 words)

• For businesses: How should they think differently?
• For individuals: What should they do?
• For the industry: Where should we collectively move?

Conclusion (100 words)

• Restate your thesis powerfully
• Invite dialogue and discussion
• Inspire change or reconsideration

CTA

• Share your perspective in comments
• Continue conversation elsewhere
• Explore related insight

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Template 5: Problem/Solution

Best for: Educational content addressing specific audience pain points SEO strength: High—targets “solution to X” searches Typical length: 1,200-1,800 words Reader expectation: Validation of pain point, then practical solutions

Outline Structure

Headline

The [Problem] Problem: Why [Pain] Happens and How to Fix It Examples: “The Email Overload Problem: Why Your Inbox Never Empties” | “The Onboarding Gap: Why New Hires Aren’t Productive”

Introduction (150 words)

• Hook: Validation of the problem (“You’re not alone…”)
• Symptom recognition: How readers know they have this problem
• Stakes: What’s at risk if unsolved?
• Promise: This piece offers solutions

The Problem: Root Causes (300 words)

• Cause 1: Core reason this happens
  • Explanation
  • Why it’s common
• Cause 2, Cause 3: Additional underlying factors
• Visual: Diagram showing cause/effect
• Data: Statistics showing prevalence

Impact / Why It Matters (200 words)

• Immediate impact: What happens day-to-day?
• Long-term consequences: What gets worse if unsolved?
• Emotional weight: How does this frustrate people?
• Business impact: Revenue, efficiency, morale effects

The Solution Framework (400 words)

• Principle 1: Foundational approach
  • What it is
  • Why it works
  • How to start
• Principle 2, Principle 3: Additional approaches
• Integration: How these work together
• Visual: Process diagram or framework illustration

Implementation: Practical Steps (300 words)

• Quick wins: 2-3 things to do today
• Medium-term: Changes for next 2 weeks
• Longer-term: Systemic improvements
• Timeline: Realistic expectations

Real-world example (200 words)

• Brief case of someone solving this problem
• Specific results they achieved
• How your audience can replicate

Common obstacles (150 words)

• What typically gets in the way
• How to overcome them

Conclusion (100 words)

• Reframe the problem as solvable
• Encourage action
• Celebrate taking first steps

CTA

• Download framework
• Try first step
• Join webinar or discussion

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AI prompt

Base prompt

You are a blog post strategist. I need to create a blog post using one of these structures:

Post type: [CHOOSE: How-To | Listicle | Case Study | Thought Leadership | Problem/Solution]
Topic: [TOPIC]
Target keyword: [KEYWORD]
Target audience: [AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION]
Key points/steps: [LIST 3-5 MAIN IDEAS]
Supporting materials: [EXAMPLES, DATA, CASE STUDIES AVAILABLE]
Desired length: [WORD COUNT RANGE]

Create a detailed outline using the [POST TYPE] structure that includes:
1. Headlines and subheadings for each section
2. Word count target for each section
3. Key points/sentences for each part
4. Placement suggestions for visuals
5. SEO keywords naturally incorporated

The outline should be immediately usable—a writer should be able to take this and start drafting with minimal additional direction.

Prompt variations

Variation 1: How-to focused

Create a detailed how-to blog post outline for: [TOPIC]. The post should guide someone through [OUTCOME] in [NUMBER] clear steps. Include troubleshooting sections and common mistakes. Target keyword: [KEYWORD]

Variation 2: Data-driven listicle

Create a listicle outline: "[NUMBER] [ADJECTIVE] [ITEMS] to [ACHIEVE GOAL]". Research indicates these should be included: [LIST ITEMS]. Organise them logically and create an outline that compares and contrasts them.

Variation 3: Case study structure

Create a case study outline featuring [COMPANY/PERSON] who [ACHIEVED RESULT]. The story should highlight: [KEY CHALLENGE], [SOLUTION APPROACH], and [METRICS]. Make it detailed enough to be compelling but concise enough for 1,500 words.

Variation 4: Contrarian take

Create a thought leadership outline taking a contrarian perspective on [TOPIC]. The thesis is: [YOUR POSITION]. Build arguments that challenge conventional thinking while remaining credible and evidence-based.

Variation 5: Multi-solution structure

Create a problem/solution outline addressing [PROBLEM]. The post should explore [NUMBER] different solution approaches, comparing their strengths and when to use each.

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Human review checklist

• Structure fits content type: Is the template appropriate for what you’re writing?
• Headline compelling: Does the headline make someone want to click and read?
• Sections logical: Does the order flow naturally from one section to the next?
• Word counts realistic: Can each section be developed in the allocated words?
• Keyword naturally placed: Is the target keyword included without force?
• Visual opportunities clear: Are there specific places where images/visuals help?
• Audience voice: Does the outline sound like it’s speaking to your actual audience?
• Actionable throughout: Is there clear value/takeaway, not just information?
• CTA aligned: Does the end CTA match the content and audience stage?
• SEO-friendly: Is it optimised for search without sacrificing readability?

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Example output

How-To Example: “How to Reduce Customer Support Response Time by 50%”

Headline: How to Reduce Customer Support Response Time by 50% in 30 Days

Introduction (150 words)

• Hook: “Your support response time is your first impression on frustrated customers”
• Promise: “By the end of this guide, you’ll have a system reducing response time from 6 hours to 3 hours”
• Overview: “This takes 30 days and requires no new tools—just better process”
• CTA preview: “You’ll know how to implement this today”

Prerequisites (50 words)

• Current support team of at least 2 people
• Basic email management tool or ticketing system
• Willingness to automate repetitive responses
• Who it’s for: Mid-market SaaS and service companies

Step 1: Audit Current Response Patterns (200 words)

• What: Map when tickets arrive and how long they sit
• Why: Can’t improve what you don’t measure
• How: Use existing ticketing system to pull response time data for last 30 days
• Visual: Screenshot of Zendesk/Intercom reporting dashboard
• Pitfall: Don’t just average—look at percentiles

Step 2: Identify Your Quick Wins (200 words)

• What: Find the 20% of questions taking 80% of time
• Why: These are your biggest ROI opportunities
• How: Categorise last month’s tickets—which topics came up most?
• Visual: Simple bar chart of question categories by frequency
• Pitfall: Don’t automate the complex ones first

Step 3: Create Templated Responses (250 words)

• What: Write 5-7 strong templates for your most common questions
• Why: Your team can respond faster without losing personalisation
• How: [Specific writing approach]
• Visual: Side-by-side before/after response examples
• Pitfall: Templates still need personalisation—don’t sound robotic

Step 4: Set Up Email Automation (200 words) [Follow template structure above]

Step 5: Train Your Team (150 words) [Follow template structure above]

Troubleshooting (150 words)

• “We’re getting complaints about templated responses”
• “Some questions don’t fit the templates”
• “Response time improved, but satisfaction dropped”

Conclusion (100 words)

• You now have the system to cut response time in half
• Most teams see this impact in 15-21 days
• Next step: measure satisfaction alongside speed

CTA: “Download our support response template pack to get started today”

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Related templates

• Content Repurposing Matrix – Turn blog post into video, social clips, email series
• Social Post Variants – Adapt blog post for LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok
• Content Calendar (Monthly) – Schedule blog posts across the month
• Email Sequence Template – Email series promoting or extending blog topics
• Two-Week Sprint – Plan blog posts in sprint cycles

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Tips for success

Start with the outline, not the introduction Most writers get stuck writing an introduction before the structure is clear. Write the outline first, then come back and write the intro once you know where you’re going.

Front-load the value Your reader should get at least one useful thing by halfway through the post. Don’t bury the best insights in the conclusion. Lead with value and you’ll retain readers.

Write sections independently You don’t have to write sections in order. Start with the section you’re most confident about, then build around it. This keeps energy and momentum high.

Measure post performance by engagement Track not just page views, but time on page, scroll depth, and click-through rates. What percentage of readers complete the post? Which sections get skimmed? This data improves future outlines.

Assign outline ownership early If multiple people are contributing, clarify who’s writing which section. Share this outline with contributors before they start writing so everyone’s on the same page.

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Common pitfalls

Creating an outline that’s too detailed or too vague Too much detail feels constraining and stifles writing. Too little leaves writers guessing. Aim for the Goldilocks zone: enough structure to guide, enough freedom to write naturally.

Forgetting the reader’s journey A post should flow from problem to solution, confusion to clarity, question to answer. If your outline doesn’t have that arc, readers will feel lost.

Filling space instead of adding value Padding sections to hit word count targets makes posts feel thin and boring. Every paragraph should earn its place. If you’re not getting to the word count, you don’t have enough ideas—and that’s okay.

Ignoring headline-copy alignment Your headline promises something specific. Every section should deliver on that promise. If you’re covering tangential topics, either adjust the headline or remove the section.

Not leaving room for personality Outlines should guide structure but leave room for voice. The best posts follow the structure while sounding like a real person, not like an automated fill-in-the-blanks.