Laura’s Blog

This is the Bonus Session in our 12-part e-course about the types of blog articles.

Combination Model

The Combination Model is just what it sounds like: a combination of two or more types of article types. I’ll give you some examples of combination posts, but first, let’s recap the 12 types of blog articles (click each title to read the full article):

Calendar Article

Tied to a holiday, special observance, season, or anniversary, this type of article puts a unique spin on the topic, making an otherwise predictable topic unpredictable.

How-To Article

The most popular type of blog article, a how-to explains how to solve a problem, how to do something, or how to improve your life.

Case Study

Lengthier than other types of blog articles, a case study explains how a particular person, group, business, industry, or event excels at something specific.

Review

No matter what you’re reviewing, your review must include the 5 Cs: Categories, Criteria, Critique, Conclusions, and Creativity.

Roundup

Think “soundbite” when writing a roundup article. This type of article often features celebrities or industry influencers, and includes direct quotes from several people.

List Article

A kissin’ cousin to both How-To and Roundup articles, a List Article focuses on solutions to universal problems.

Link Article

One step removed from List Articles, a Link Article includes multiple hyperlinks to articles on others’ blogs and articles from your own blog’s archives.

Profile

Also called a “personality profile,” this type of article focuses on one slice of an interesting person’s life.

Q & A

Easy to write and easy to read, a Q & A includes a brief narrative introduction and the rest of the article reads like a transcription.

Issues Article

A balanced issue-oriented article requires research and interviewing, careful presentation of facts, and a thorough examination of the issue’s pros and cons.

Personal Essay

At its core, blogging is a personal essay. But a good personal essay avoids “I” strain; instead, it focuses on WII-FM content for your reader: What’s In It For Me?

Factoid

The easiest type of blog post to write, a factoid is a one-line fact, definition, statistic, current event, or newsworthy tidbit.

THE 30-SECOND BRAINSTORM

You can set up the combination model two ways:

1. Merge two or more article types into one article.
2. Spinoff one topic into a series that encompasses several article types.

Let’s say your topic is aromatherapy candles (substitute your own topic and use my methodology to help you brainstorm).

First, ask yourself:

• Do I “use” aromatherapy?
• In what ways do I incorporate aromatherapy into my daily life?

Perhaps you spray air freshener into your cat’s litter box every day.

Or you remove static cling from your clothes by tossing a scented fabric softener sheet into your dryer.

Or you dab essential oils behind your kneecaps.

I slather on mango-coconut-guava lotion every morning because the scent instantly transports me to Hawaii (where I long to live during our long, dreary Seattle winter).

When I run low on inspiration while writing blog posts, I light a vanilla-scented candle and brew a cup of chai. The creamy aroma re-awakens my senses and imbues me with fresh energy.

Within 30 seconds, I brainstormed the makings of a List Article: “Five everyday uses for aromatherapy,” or a Personal Essay: “How aromatherapy helps me be a better blogger.”

MORPH AND COMBINE

To morph this topic into a combination Calendar/Roundup article, survey readers of your blog (or your Facebook or Twitter accounts) and ask them, “How do you use aromatherapy to keep depression at bay during the short days of winter?”

You could follow that up with a Case Study of the effectiveness of essential oils in treating arthritic pain. Include a Factoid that defines the term “essential oils” and include Links to more information about the top essential oils used in treating arthritic pain.

An Issue-Oriented article can explore the health benefits of applying essential oils directly to the skin vs. inhaling them or using them as an ingredient in practical applications, such as insect repellant.

You could write about how to use aromatherapy safely and structure it as a Q & A interview with an aromatherapy expert.

And you can review the best places in your area to purchase aromatherapy products.

EXAMPLE #2

Let’s try another tactic with a different topic: children’s books.

Start by listing each of the 12 types of articles:

1. Calendar
2. How-to
3. Case Study
4. Review
5. Roundup
6. List
7. Link
8. Profile
9. Q & A
10. Issue
11. Personal Essay
12. Factoid

12 ARTICLES

Next, brainstorm ways you can write 12 types of blog posts about the topic of children’s books:

Calendar – Best-loved classic Christmas books

How-to – How to choose the right books for your child’s age

Case Study – Trends in the children’s book publishing industry and predictions for the upcoming decade

Review – Choose a children’s book currently on the best-seller list and review it

Roundup – Librarians recommend their favorite picture books

List – The best children’s books of the year

Link – Five classic children’s books you must add to your home library (link to each book at online bookstore)

Profile – How a children’s book editor decides what’s worthy of publication

Q & A – Interview an author of children’s books. Ask:

• What criteria should parents/grandparents use to choose good books for their kids?
• What specific books do your recommend that help children make good choices in life?

Issue – Should you self-publish or royalty publish your children’s book?

Personal Essay – How I became a best-selling children’s book author

Factoid – Statistics about the number of children’s books published each year

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

1. Choose one topic you plan to blog about.
2. List the 12 types of articles.
3. Brainstorm an article (related to your topic) for each of the 12 styles.
4. Now, list ways you can combine two or more types of article styles for that topic.
5. In the Comments area, share one of your combination-style topics.