The One Page to Write Before Every Blog Post
A style sheet is the quiet operating system behind a consistent blog. It records the choices that writers often make instinctively: whether headings use sentence case, how long paragraphs should be, which spelling conventions apply, and what sort of personality the publication should express. Creating this page before drafting gives every post a recognisable shape, even when several people contribute.
For a new or lightly configured blog, this document is especially useful. It turns a blank publishing space into an editorial standard that can guide future topics, authors and revisions. Rather than trying to remember every preference, you can check one living reference before writing, editing or uploading a post.
Define the voice before choosing the words
Start with three or four adjectives that describe the desired voice. “Clear, practical, warm and grounded” gives a writer more useful direction than “professional”. Add a short explanation for each term. A warm voice may use contractions and direct language, while a grounded voice may avoid inflated claims and unexplained jargon.
Record the relationship between the blog and its readers as well. Is the writer a guide, a peer, an analyst or a local expert? This decision affects vocabulary, confidence and the amount of explanation required. A peer might write, “Here is a simple way to test this,” while an analyst might lead with evidence and qualifications.
Your style sheet should also state what the voice avoids. Long disclaimers, aggressive sales language, sarcasm and vague promises can all be listed as poor fits. These boundaries are valuable when a subject is sensitive or when a draft begins drifting towards generic marketing copy.
Set language rules for Australian readers
A local editorial guide should settle spelling and usage before they appear inconsistently across posts. For an Australian audience, that usually means choosing Australian English: “organise” rather than “organize”, “favour” rather than “favor”, and “licence” as a noun. Decide whether the blog uses “ise” spellings throughout and apply the rule consistently.
Local context also affects examples. Readers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth may respond more readily to references involving public transport, apartment living, weekend sport, school terms or the end of the financial year. If you use prices, specify Australian dollars and write dates in day-month-year order. A phrase such as “this Friday” can become confusing in evergreen content, so include an exact date when timing matters.
Be careful with Australian colloquialisms. Words such as “arvo” or “brekkie” can create warmth in the right setting, but they may sound forced in a technical article. The local market rewards familiarity, not stereotypes. A style sheet can specify when informal expressions are welcome and when plain standard English is the better choice.
Make readability a measurable standard
A useful style sheet turns broad advice into observable rules. Set a preferred paragraph length, sentence range and heading pattern. For many online posts, paragraphs of two to four sentences are easy to scan, while subheadings should tell readers what they will learn rather than offer vague labels such as “More Information”.
Include rules for active voice, technical terms and explanations. For example, define an unfamiliar term at first use, prefer concrete verbs, and cut filler phrases such as “in order to”. These instructions make editing faster because they provide a shared test instead of relying on personal taste.
Readability also involves page behaviour. State whether important information should appear near the beginning, whether lists are suitable for processes, and how links should be embedded. A descriptive anchor such as “download the checklist” is clearer than “click here”, particularly for mobile readers and people using screen readers.
A small, repeatable improvement can compound across dozens of posts; this small progress principle is a useful way to think about editorial consistency. The goal is not to make every sentence identical. It is to remove avoidable friction so readers can focus on the subject.
Include standards for trust and sensitivity
A blog style sheet should cover accuracy as well as tone. State how sources are selected, whether claims need links, how statistics are dated, and who checks facts before publication. If an article includes health, finance, legal or safety information, define the level of caution and the need for qualified sources.
Add a policy for corrections. Decide whether minor typographical errors are silently fixed and whether factual changes receive a note. Clear correction practices build credibility because readers can see that accuracy matters after publication, not just during drafting.
Sensitive subjects need their own language guidance. Relationship, mental health, grief and workplace conflict articles should avoid judgemental labels and simplistic promises. When discussing apologies, for instance, distinguish accountability from excuses; practical apology wording examples can help demonstrate a respectful tone without presenting one script as suitable for every situation.
Turn the page into an editing routine
Keep the document short enough to use. One or two pages is generally sufficient, with examples that show the preferred approach. Include a sample headline, a strong paragraph, an acceptable call to action, and a before-and-after edit. Examples often teach more effectively than a long list of abstract rules.
Review the guide after several published posts. If editors repeatedly debate the same issue, add a decision to the sheet. If a rule makes the prose stiff or limits useful variation, revise it. A living editorial guide should support judgement rather than replace it.
A practical pre-publishing checklist
- Confirm the post matches the agreed audience, purpose and tone.
- Check Australian spelling, currency, dates and locally relevant examples.
- Replace vague headings with specific, useful descriptions.
- Define technical terms and remove unnecessary jargon.
- Verify statistics, quotations, links and claims that may have changed.
- Read the post aloud for rhythm, clarity and unintended harshness.
- Review the page on a mobile screen before publishing.
Used this way, a style sheet becomes more than a collection of grammar preferences. It preserves the blog’s personality, reduces editing time and gives every future contributor a reliable starting point. Even an empty site can begin with a clear editorial identity when its first publishing habit is to write down how good work should sound.