Blog Post Types: How-To & Tutorials

Whether you’re teaching readers how to start a blog, bake the perfect cake, or master a new software tool, a well-crafted how-to post can turn any complex concept into easy-to-follow instructions.

How to Write a Helpful “How-To” Blog Post

I’m sure we’ve all found a product with little to no instructions and felt the frustration set in (looking at you “Big Name Furniture Store”). It’s a good business practice to have these kinds of posts for products that might not be the most straightforward usage. Oftentimes, a tutorial post could help bridge the gap between customer support and an FAQ section, all while helping SEO rankings.

Tutorial blog posts are intended to teach your readers how to do or use something step-by-step. These are best used for How-To Guides, DIY projects, products you might sell, and software tutorials.

The typical structure for these kinds of posts are as follows:
Introduction → Step-by-step guide → Conclusion

When you start writing your post, you will want to follow these steps:

#1: Write a brief but compelling introduction

When you start writing your post, you want to be able to relate to your customers. Make sure to keep the introduction brief, explain the problem and why it matters, inform the reader what they will learn in the post, and introduce the steps they’ll need to follow.

#2: Break it Down

Start writing down the steps one by one, making sure to keep each action clear and sequential. Include tips, common mistakes, and warnings that might occur in each step. And lastly, be sure to use numbered steps for readability.

#3: Summarize & Conclude

The purpose of this paragraph is to summarize the process in under a few sentences, reinforce the value of completing the steps, and encourage the readers to take action (e.g. “Try this and share your results”).

Examples of these posts: “How to Write a Blog Post in 5 Simple Steps”