The Step-by-Step Blog Post Checklist for New (and Tired) Bloggers

Let’s be real: there’s nothing quite like the rush of clicking “publish” on a new blog post. It’s part excitement, part terror, and part, “Wait; did I forget something?”

If you’ve ever hit publish and immediately noticed a typo the size of Texas, or realized you forgot your meta description (again), you’re not alone. Blogging is fun, weird, and full of tiny steps that are easy to miss when you’re running on caffeine and stubbornness.

So, to save you from facepalms and frantic edits, here’s your ultimate blog post pre-publish checklist. Just the good stuff, of course.

1. Read It Like a Stranger Would

Step away from your masterpiece for a bit. Then come back and read it like you’ve never seen it before. Ask yourself:

• Does it make sense from start to finish?
• Are there any parts that sound awkward or confusing?
• Did you fall into a rabbit hole of tangents?

If you’re unsure, ask a friend (or a very honest cat) to read it. Or better yet, read it out loud. You’ll spot clunky sentences faster than you can say “run-on.”

2. Check Your Formatting

Nobody likes reading a wall of text. Break it up:

• Use short paragraphs
• Add headers (H2s, H3s) to guide the reader
• Use bullet points or numbered lists where it helps
• Include images or screenshots if they make things clearer

Pro tip: if you wouldn’t want to read your post on your phone, it needs better formatting.

3. Do a Spelling and Word Check

Yes, even if you think you’re a good speller. Typos sneak in like raccoons in a campsite. Run your post through a spellchecker. Then go a step further:

• Check that you’re using the right words (they’re/their/there, it’s/its — you get it)
• Watch for repeated words or phrases
• Replace weak verbs or filler stuff with clearer options

If you want to see how I personally keep things tidy, I talk more about my writing process here: Blogging Made Less Weird: My Writing Process

4. Add a Clear, Catchy Title

Make sure your title:

• Says what the post is about
• Makes people want to click
• Isn’t 27 words long

Avoid clickbait, but don’t be boring either. Aim for honest and interesting. Something like “What a Full Month of Blogging Really Looks Like” works because it’s specific and human. (Also, that’s one of mine. Just saying.) 

5. Use a Featured Image (That’s Not Ugly)

Your featured image is like a thumbnail for your blog post. It’s what people see first. Make it count:

• Choose something relevant
• Avoid blurry or cluttered pics
• Add text if needed, but keep it readable on mobile

Tools like Canva make this super easy (and free). I listed Canva and other favorites in 16 Free Tools Every Blogger Needs in Their Life.

6. Write an SEO Title + Meta Description

Your SEO title is what shows up in search results. So:

• Include your main keyword
• Keep it under 60 characters if possible
• Make sure it still reads like a human wrote it

Same goes for your meta description. Keep it under 160 characters and make it sound like something people would want to read. 

For example: A quirky checklist to help you polish your blog post before hitting publish. 

Boom. Done.

7. Add Internal + External Links

Help your readers (and search engines) by linking to:

• Other posts on your blog (like How to Write a Blog Post When You’re Tired)
• Helpful tools, sources, or studies
• Places you referenced in your content

Links = context, trust, and more time spent on your site. Win-win-win.

8. Include a Clear Call to Action

What do you want your reader to do when they finish?

• Leave a comment?
• Share the post?
• Sign up for your newsletter?
• Bake you a cake? (Okay, maybe not that one.)

Don’t just end with “Thanks for reading!” Give them a next step, even if it’s just to check out another post like How I Make Blogging Easy (With a Little AI Help).

9. Make It Mobile Friendly

Check how your post looks on your phone. You’d be surprised how often things look wonky:

• Images too big?
• Font too tiny?
• Weird line breaks?

Fix it before your readers bounce faster than a toddler on a sugar high.

10. Test All Your Links

Click. Every. Single. Link.

Nothing’s worse than linking to your brilliant guide and landing on a 404 page. Also double-check that:

• Affiliate links are working (and labeled properly)
• External links open in a new tab (so readers don’t leave your blog forever)

Speaking of which, if you’re using affiliate marketing and want it to feel natural, check out Simple Ways to Use Affiliate Marketing in Your Content.

11. Choose Your Tags + Categories Wisely

Use relevant categories (don’t overdo it), and choose tags that actually describe the post. This helps your blog stay organized and helps readers find more of what they’re into.

12. Preview Before Publishing

Hit the preview button. Always. Look for:

• Weird spacing
• Broken elements
• Anything that just feels… off

Trust your gut. If something looks wrong, fix it now. Not when your post is already out in the wild.

13. Back It Up

Copy your post to a doc, email it to yourself, save it to the cloud, whatever works for you. Just don’t rely 100% on your blog platform to keep things safe. Tech hiccups happen.

14. Be Honest With Yourself

Ask: would you enjoy reading this post if it wasn’t yours?

If the answer’s “meh,” maybe give it one more round of edits. Or three. (I’m speaking from experience. Again.)

15. Hit Publish and Then Share It

Now that your blog post is squeaky clean, it’s time to hit that glorious button. But don’t stop there:

• Share it on social media
• Pin it to Pinterest (need help? See below!)
• Email it to your list
• Add it to your content calendar

And if it doesn’t blow up immediately? That’s okay. Sometimes blogging feels like sending love notes into the void. But someone out there will find it helpful. That’s reason enough to keep writing. (See The Strange Joys of Blogging for No Audience).

If you’re blogging solo, keeping track of everything can feel like juggling flaming marshmallows. But this checklist? It’s your fireproof glove.

You don’t need perfection. Just progress. Each post teaches you something new about writing, about blogging, and yep, about yourself.

So go ahead: tidy up that post, hit publish, and maybe reward yourself with a cookie. Or two.

And if you’re still figuring it all out? This Step-by-Step: How to Begin Freelance Blogging from Scratch might help. I’ve been there. I am still there, most days.

Let’s keep building. Quirky, honest, and slightly sleep-deprived. ☕💻