What's the "High Point" of Your Post?

Hi. Just wanted to share a tidbit with everyone, something that I've been working on. In writing, everything must have a purpose and be leading the reader somewhere. That somewhere is the "high point" of your scene...what you're building up to and what you want to leave the reader remembering.

I think the same applies to posts on our websites. Many might refer to this as the "Call to Action" but I think it also includes the "climax", if you will, of what you're trying to say. Here's some questions I always ask myself:

• What's the purpose of the post?
• What do I want my visitor to remember when they're done reading?
• What is that one line that either makes them take action or have an "ah ha" moment?
• What is the reason for each paragraph? If it doesn't have a point, then get rid of it.
• What are you building up to?
• ...and have you delivered?

Many times I catch myself adding "fluff" that's not needed; whether it's to increase my word count, sound intelligent, or if I don't really know what my post is about and I'm just wandering my way through it. If it doesn't help with the purpose of the post then cut it.

My recommendations

• Create an outline with at least 3 major points
• Each point builds on the one before
• Say that one thing that you want your reader to remember - the "High Point" of your post.
• I always write "HP" on a notepad and then put a simple sentence of what my high point must be, and that includes the HP for the post and the HP for each paragraph.

Knowing what my High Points are helps me stay (I love this phrase)..."laser-focused". Hope this helps you with your writing.