I know I rarely post such practical tips, but I created this list for a consulting client and thought I’d share.  The list is remixed from a blog post by Desi Cabrera of Miratel in Toronto.

1. Write Focused Content: Keeping your content focused specifically on your organization’s cause and mission.
2. Post Length of 200-750 Words: Short posts are more likely to be read and (because they require less work) more likely to be written. The ideal length is 500 words.
3. Highlight Key Ideas: Some people won’t have time to read the whole post. If you put a few of the post’s key ideas in boldface, they will still get the main idea.
4. Tell Stories About Real People: This type of post can be created at any time, is conceptually easy to create, and will be accessible to any visitor to the site. To ensure that informed consent is given, every person who is the subject of a story on the blog should sign a release form, ideally using a Google Form (the form is the text, they write their name in a text box and click submit).
5. Write Lists: Top 5 reasons charter schools are over-rated, top 10 best practices of needle exchanges, top 3 environment NGOS in New Orleans – these types of posts are easy to read and provide a simple format for the writer. There is even a name for a blog post that in list form, a listicle.
6. Include Photos/Video: In almost every aspect of social media and digital marketing, visual components such as photos and videos enhance the content that is being shared and should be included in blog posts. This is also a very quick way to create content. Individuals must sign the web release before their photo is posted.
7. Have a Consistent Schedule: There should be a blogging calendar which states which day each person who commits to write for the blog knows they are responsible for writing a post. (For example, Allison might be responsible for posting every other Wednesday.) People can write additional posts when they want (for example, for breaking news), but with a calendar you will not find yourself with blank spaces where no one has blogged all week.
8. Enable Feed (RSS) and Email Subscriptions: If a reader enjoys your blog you should make every attempt to make it as simple as possible for them to return. You can easily create an RSS feed using Feedburner and place sign-up in a visible place around the bog post so visitors who like what they read can receive new posts via feed or email.
9. Look for Examples of Good Nonprofit Blogs: Start here: http://www.businessesgrow.com/2011/05/08/the-worlds-best-non-profit-blogs/

Image: Etsy/LivyLoveDesigns