How to Write a Blog Post Outline That Boosts SEO and Saves Time
- Emily Bingham
- Jan 26, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Tired of wasting hours writing blog posts that go nowhere? The secret to faster, more effective content is something almost no one talks about: outlining. A solid blog post outline doesn’t just save time—it helps you rank higher, stay on brand, and create content that converts.
Whether you're hiring a freelance writer or writing your own content, starting with an outline can lift the mental load, make research easier, and help you write blog posts that actually get results.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a high-performing blog post outline from scratch, based on content strategy best practices, SEO fundamentals, and years of content management experience.
Why Blog Post Outlines Matter
Outlines are one of the most underrated tools for content creators. Here’s why they work:
1. They Align Your Blog With Your Goals
Outlines help you define your purpose from the start. They keep your blog post in line with your brand voice, content strategy, and funnel stage. You (or your writer) stay focused and avoid topic drift.
This step is especially important when you’re managing multiple writers or collaborating with freelancers. It ensures consistency across all content assets, supports topic clusters, and helps your team work toward shared marketing objectives.
2. They Make Research Smarter and Faster
When you break down your content into sections, you know exactly what to research. That makes your research more efficient and helps you discover stronger sources, angles, and data points.
Outlines also force you to verify facts, statistics, and claims before writing. This improves the factual accuracy and authoritativeness of your content—a major component of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
3. They Speed Up the Writing Process
A well-structured outline cuts your writing time in half. You’re no longer figuring it out as you go. Whether you're writing it yourself or handing it off to a freelancer, an outline keeps everyone aligned and on deadline.
This method helped me manage content for 12 local business blogs efficiently. Read my blog management case study.
4. They Help Structure for SEO
Outlines give your blog a natural hierarchy. By planning out headings (H2s, H3s) and key sections, you build content that’s easy to scan, both for readers and search engines.
Search engines prioritize structured content with clear headings, keyword relevance, and internal links. A strong outline ensures you hit all these marks without having to backtrack later.
What Should a Blog Post Outline Include?
A detailed outline is more than just bullet points. Here's what I recommend:
Content Brief:
Blog topic + working title
Purpose, goal, and CTA
Target audience & funnel stage
Tone/voice guidelines
Word count
Target keywords + SERP features
Top 3 competitors
Internal links to include
External sources for research
Title Ideas (H1 + SEO Title Tag)
Introduction Notes
Main Headings (H2s) + notes
Subheadings (H3s) where needed
Conclusion / CTA
This level of detail improves writing quality, reinforces your strategy, and supports both SEO and user engagement. If you're working with freelance writers or VAs, it's also a great way to ensure quality control.
👉Here’s a checklist to get you started.
7 Steps to Write a Blog Post Outline That Converts
Step 1: Do Preliminary Research
Start with a bit of intel gathering:
Keyword research (main + supporting terms)
SERP analysis (what’s ranking, features shown)
Top 3 ranking competitors
Sources you’ll quote or use for facts
Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Ubersuggest, and even Google Search can help you identify what's currently ranking and what your blog post should address. Include notes on how your content will be different or better.
Optional Format:
Topic:
Keywords:
SERP Competitors:
Resources:
Step 2: Write a Blog Brief
Include all the details you or your writer needs to stay aligned. This will keep the post consistent with your SEO, tone, and brand goals.
Make sure your brief answers:
What is the purpose of this blog post?
Who is this for?
What action should the reader take afterward?
How does it fit into your broader content plan?
Step 3: Draft Your SEO Title
Create a working title with your main keyword. Keep it around 50–75 characters and use power words to improve CTR.
The SEO title (title tag) should match user intent. Tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer or Google’s Keyword Planner can help optimize your phrasing.
Step 4: Plan Your Introduction
Your intro should hook the reader in 2–3 short paragraphs. Mention the pain point and tease the value of reading the full post.
If you’re using this as part of a funnel strategy, your intro should also frame the content around the reader’s stage (awareness, consideration, or decision).
Step 5: Create the Main Headings
List 3–6 H2s that break down the key sections. Under each, add a note or two about what you plan to cover.
Use headings that incorporate your keywords naturally, match user search intent, and serve as guideposts for the rest of your content.
Step 6: Add Subheadings Where Needed
Use H3s to add depth to longer H2 sections. Think: examples, lists, tools, or how-to steps.
Well-structured subheadings help with:
Improving skim-readability
Increasing time on page
Creating opportunities for featured snippets
Step 7: Outline Your Conclusion and CTA
Wrap it up with a summary and one clear call-to-action: comment, download, subscribe, book a call, etc.
Make your CTA relevant to the intent of the post. For example, if the post is educational, offer a checklist or template. If it’s product-related, link to a relevant sales or service page.
What a Blog Post Outline Looks Like
Here’s another example of a blog post outline you can use:
Topic: How to Start a Freelance Writing Business
SEO Title: How to Start a Freelance Writing Business in 7 Steps
Goal: Generate newsletter signups
Audience: Beginner freelance writers
Intro: Hook + preview the steps
H2 #1: Choose Your Niche (add subhead on popular niches)
H2 #2: Set Up a Portfolio Website
H2 #3: Learn Basic SEO & Content Writing
H2 #4: Find Clients Online
H2 #5: Price Your Services
Conclusion/CTA: Sign up for my weekly freelance tips
Can I Use AI to Create Blog Post Outlines?
Yes, responsibly. AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper can help you brainstorm titles, keywords, and structure ideas. But you should always verify research, infuse your personal experience, and customize the blog post for your brand.
AI should supplement—not replace—your expertise. Add personal anecdotes, original insights, or data-backed strategies to boost trust and authority. This is what Google rewards.
Not a Content Planning Pro? Hire One!
Outlining, planning, and writing high-quality blog content is a full-time job. If it’s not your strength, let me help.
See my content strategy and planning services or contact me to get your content aligned and ready to rank.
Want My Blog Outline Template?
I’ve created a downloadable Google Doc you can use for every post you write. It’s the same format I use with clients.
👉 Click here to download the template or grab by checklist to make sure you and your content team are always on the same page!
Final Tip: Don’t wait until you’re writing to figure out your blog. Start with a strong outline and you’ll finish faster, rank higher, and sound more like the expert you are.
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