- A service post is content that is tailored very specifically to your readers. It should contain information that readers can use in their lives. It can take many forms. It can be advice from an expert about how to solve a problem, or a write-up about recent research that’s become available. It could be recommendations for doing things, or buying things. I can be a list. It can be an explanation of a complicated topic.
- In any form it takes, it has to be well researched, sourced appropriately, well written and the information has to be new and unique. You should strive to take unusual and interesting angles — not stating the obvious.
- These posts have to have substance. Research them thoroughly and make sure they run in length from 500-700 words.
- Take a photo to illustrate your post.
- Like the reoccurring feature, formatting is important. You should use the tools available to you — spacing, bolding, italics, sub-headlines — to lay out the post in a way that is easy to follow and interesting.You will want to include a two- to three-sentence introduction to all these posts.
- Always include hyperlinks, directing readers where appropriate to your sources or to places you are recommending.
Example service posts:
NYTimes Well blog has many examples:
https://www.nytimes.com/section/well
Mashable (tech blog)
https://mashable.com/2018/03/07/best-cryptocurrency-tracking-apps/?utm_cid=hp-n-1#BSA5GGs3taq1
Grub Street (New York Magazine’s food blog), recommendations:
http://www.grubstreet.com/bestofnewyork/best-new-things-to-eat-in-nyc-2018.html
Service post that explains a complicated topic from Quartz:
https://qz.com/1220847/what-trumps-tariff-trade-war-could-mean-for-you-higher-prices-layoffs-and-economic-nosedives/