How to Create a Pillar Posts for Your Business Blog

Whether you're blogging for fun or profit, it's important to recognize that a typical blog is made up of many different "types" of blog posts. 

One of the most important types of blog posts used to build a blog are called Pillar Blog Posts.  Just as pillars are used in construction to support a large building, Pillar Blog Posts are the posts which will support and define your blog. 

Characteristics of Pillar Blog Posts:

• they are usually instructional in nature
• they are usually longer than traditional posts
  
• they are more like articles than posts
• they are easily recognized by the reader as containing valuable information
  

One of the GREATEST features of Pillar Blog Posts is that they tend to attract links from other websites and blogs

There are a few different “types” of Pillar Blog Posts and you should ftry to include as many types into your blog as possible. 

1) PROBLEM SOLVING TUTORIALS

Problem solving tutorials make GREAT Pillar Blog Posts.  These are articles which solve a problem for your audience.

The beauty of this style of Pillar Blog Post is that in addition to being a great way to attract a new audience, it also serves to demonstrate your expertise on your subject matter.

Problem solving tutorials content varies according to the needs of your target audience. 

For example, if your target audience is new bloggers, then creating a tutorial on essential Wordpress plug ins would be a GREAT topic pillar article.

If you don’t know what problems your target audience is experiencing, hang out in an online forum and see what questions are being asked by potential blog readers.

2) VIDEO TUTORIALS AS PILLAR ARTICLES

With the explosion of Online Video and the popular video sharing site YouTube, it’s possible that your Problem Solving Tutorial post could serve as the script for an online video tutorial. 

By posting your tutorial video on your YouTube account, you create a breadcrumb trail back to your blog.  People will find your video on YouTube and may come to your blog to see what else you have to offer.

When you create a Video Tutorial, be sure to “back it up” by posting a written version of the tutorial as well.

One compelling reason to include a written version of your tutorial in addition to the video is that the search engines can’t “read” the words spoken in your video (yet) but they can read the transcript.  Another compelling reason is some people would rather read than watch.

3) VALUABLE RESOURCE LISTS

A valuable resource list post is just what the name implies.  It’s a handy, easy “one stop shopping” resource of use to your target audience.

These are frequently titled “The Top 10 Techniques”  or “The Top 5”.  If there’s the word “top” followed by a number, someone is trying to create a valuable resource list type of a post.

The value in this style of post is that you’ve done the work of collecting valuable information into a single handy place. 

Top [insert number here] posts are frequently shorter than the traditional 500-750 words of a typical Pillar Article, which makes them a very tempting “go to” piece when you know you should write another Pillar Article but you just don’t have the time to write a full 750 word article. You have to be careful not to “overuse” the Top [insert number] format. 

When it comes to creating a valuable resource list, the QUALITY of the resource list is the KEY. 

Creating a resource list of the top 100 web sites for new mothers which contains 50 broken links won't shine a flattering light on your blog.  On the other hand, many blog owners have posted their own versions of the popular Do-Follow list.  If your target audience is bloggers, compiling a list of blogs with the no-follow attribute removed is a great way to attract new visitors AND incoming links.

4) “MYTH BUSTING” ARTICLES

What do you know that newbies don’t?  Myth Busting Pillar Blog Posts are a great way to not only establish your authority, but also educate your audience as well.

Creating a Myth Busting Pillar Blog Post begins by identifying the “myths” that your target audience is accepting as fact. Then, methodically bust those myths and share with your audience the "real unvarnished" truth. Your audience will appreciate it.

What do you do with Pillar Blog Posts once you've published them?

Once you’ve published 5 or 6 Pillar Articles, be sure to feature them prominently either on a page or in your side bar. You see, you need to keep those articles front and center for not only your visitors, but also for your reference. 

I've seen astute bloggers respond to questions on LinkedIn by simply leaving a link to a Pillar Blog Post already published on their blog.

Your blog will gain new readers every day.  In the future, when your blog has several hundred posts, you’ll want to link to these pillar articles within your posts to increase their visibility and breath new life into these priceless treasures.

These Pillar Blog Posts are literally the FOUNDATION of your blog.  Be sure to proof read these posts carefully before you hit publish.  If you can't find someone to proof read your Pillar Blog Post before you publish it, then let it sit for 24 - 28 hours and re-read it before you hit publish.

Pillar Blog Posts are important enough to your blog to warrant hiring a writing professional to create these gems if you feel your grammar or communication style isn’t up to the task.

After your readers, Pillar Blog Posts are truly your most treasured resource on your blog.  They will bring more readers, more RSS subscribers and more links to your blog.