Pillar posts are lengthy posts that convince your visitors to stay and read for a little longer. Pillar posts are of high value, and if created strategically, they can attract high-quality traffic to your website. These will probably be the hardest ones to write, but they’re worth it. These posts are how we start ranking for more competitive keywords. It is the best way to grow for a new website. Start with research for helpful topics in your niche that need to be explained in detail.
Table of Contents
Features of Pillar Posts
1. Long
Pillar posts are usually 3500 words long or more. Like a long pillar supporting the structure of a building, pillar posts strengthen the structure of your website. It’s the length of pillar posts that keep visitors longer on your website.
2. Detailed
Pillar posts are known for their intricate details. They explain a topic in-depth and include every important detail relating to that topic. They are informative posts that will offer relevant details to your audience. Instead of surfing through different websites, they can find comprehensive and compact information on your website.
3. Filled with Resources
Pillar posts are not simply lengthy, wordy articles. They also consist of resources, like images, clips, and even downable files. Adding resources helps explain the topic and keeps a reader interested. A few images here and there upgrade the quality of pillar posts. Furthermore, downloadable files and infographics are helpful for users, and they leave a mark on a reader’s memory. Such posts include downloadable resources or infographics. Infographics help display the gist of a pillar post concisely and interestingly. On the other hand, downloadable files, such as instruction sheets, help readers take away something valuable.
4. One-of-a-Kind
Pillar posts are rare. People prefer writing short posts and enjoying immediate benefits. However, they ignore the fact that, in the long run, only pillar posts will help them attract traffic and rank higher on Google search. Not many have discovered the advantages of writing a pillar post, and very few have the passion to invest time and energy in creating a pillar post. So, your pillar post will be one of a kind and will help your website stand out from the crowd.
Some Examples of Pillar Posts
1. 101 Things (or Long List Post)
You must have come across posts with the title “10 tips for…” or “15 ways to…”. These are simple list posts with few items. On the other hand, long-list posts include 51–101 items. Yes, it might seem long, but it is the more valuable list. Such posts offer many options for your readers. Everyone likes to consider numerous options before deciding. People look for specific things that might work for them. Pillar posts can help them learn about 50–100 different elements and then decide accordingly.
In such posts, you can include those options left out by others. Write pillar posts when you have something to add to an obvious list.
2. Big Tutorial Article (or How-To Guide)
A how-to guide is the most famous style of pillar post. However, every how-to guide is not a pillar post. Some posts just touch upon the general steps and leave readers hanging. Pillar posts offer a detailed how-to guide that explains every step clearly. How-to guides include every important step that others might have missed. It includes a description of every step. How-to guides work best with images and clips that visually guide the readers. Write pillar posts for those how-to guides that require a lot more explanation than what you can fit into 2500 words.
3. Answer a Big Question
This is similar to a response post, but with more competitive keywords and a lot more content. These are the elaborate articles. Such posts give a detailed explanation of the topic and help the reader understand it in depth. For example, 3500 words on “Everything you should know about SEO.” Such articles grab the attention of valuable readers who are genuinely interested in the topic. They might come as visitors but leave as subscribers after reading your content. Answer a big question in your niche and help your viewers.
How Pillar Posts Will Benefit You
1. Attract Traffic
Pillar posts attract traffic in the long run. You won’t notice the results right away. It takes time, but it is worth it. Short posts generate traffic instantly, but they stop attracting visitors after a point in time. However, long posts work for a longer period and will ensure that people keep visiting your website. Post a pillar post and check your analytics after a year. You will be surprised by the results.
2. Helps You Rank Better
Similarly, traffic ranking will take time. A pillar post won’t rank on the first page of a Google search after just a week of posting. However, it will rank higher gradually. The reason for a better rank is the uniqueness of the content. If your content is high quality and rare, then you will rank higher.
3. Unique and Valuable Content
A pillar post is your chance to go overboard and offer unique content. Sure, it is time-consuming to write, but the results will be worth striving for. Since it’s detailed, it adds value, and people appreciate valuable content. You can add your personality to the post, ensuring that only you can offer something like this. Everyone posts the obvious ideas, but here you can mention the undiscovered elements.
4. Opportunity to Use Competitive Keywords
Pillar posts give you the space to use competitive keywords. As a new website, you might hesitate to use competitive keywords. This is your opportunity to defeat the digital giants and rank better by using the most popular keywords. In pillar posts, if you strategically use keywords and keep it informative, then you might beat the competition. This is your chance to shine in your niche and challenge the leaders in your niche with an informative, lengthy, and helpful pillar post.
How to Move On to Pillar Posts
1. Research
Find a helpful topic within your niche and start researching. Before writing a detailed article, you ought to study it in-depth. Note down the ideas and start researching one by one. It may be time-consuming, but it will give you results in long run. Take your time. Pillar posts should be relevant and credible. Also, do a competitive analysis and see how industry leaders use the keywords. Learn from their mistakes and adopt their strengths.
2. Outline
It’s also a really good idea to make a thorough outline before you start writing. 3500 words can be tough to write all at once, so break it into sections. For example, if you have 50 tips, then prepare notes for 25 first and then move to the next 25.
3. Create
Create your 3500-word pillar post. Use the points noted from your thorough research and write your pillar post. Ask yourself, What do readers want to see? Create helpful and relevant content.
4. Go Overboard
Don’t hesitate to go overboard. Add more points. Attach resources, like digital downloads. Research more and discover more. Spend more time preparing your pillar posts and offer something unique and valuable.
5. Refine
Refining is essential. Once the draft is ready, check the grammar and punctuations and refine every sentence. Edit every sentence that does not making sense and add more points to make it more helpful. The content should be relevant and refined.
6. Post
Once you are sure your pillar post is ready to help people online, you are ready to post it. An interesting way of posting a pillar post is by using multiple pages. It appears neat and clean and easy to access for the user.
7. Wait for Results
Once you have posted it, wait. Do not get impatient and expect instant results. With time, you will earn the results with interest, and you will witness the wonders of a pillar post. Pillar posts will help you rank higher even with a competitive keyword. Just be patient.
Pillar posts are a step towards your success. They come with long-term benefits that help your website survive and stay relevant. Make your pillar posts as helpful as possible. Let the industry leaders see you as a competition.
