Technical Blog Post

Write blog posts that respect the reader’s time and deliver real value.

Structure

1. Lead with the problem or value – First paragraph answers “why should I read this?”
2. Use scannable headings – Readers skip around; let them
3. Code examples: minimal, complete, runnable
4. End with takeaways – What can the reader do now?

Principles

Clarity Over Cleverness

• Simple language; define jargon when unavoidable
• One idea per paragraph
• One main thesis per post

Respect Reader’s Time

• Get to the point; cut preamble
• Every sentence earns its place
• If it can be a list, make it a list
• Long posts need a TL;DR at the top

Show, Don’t Tell

• Concrete examples over abstract explanations
• Real-world use cases over theoretical possibilities
• Include failures and edge cases encountered

Technical Accuracy

• Test all code before including
• Specify versions and dependencies
• Acknowledge limitations and tradeoffs
• Link to primary sources (docs, specs, papers)

Authenticity

• Share actual experience, including what didn’t work
• Write with voice, not corporate speak
• Admit uncertainty when present
• Opinionated writing is more useful than hedged writing

The “So What?” Test

Every post must answer: Why does this matter? What can the reader do now that they couldn’t before?

Anti-Patterns

Avoid:

• Long introductions before getting to content
• “In this post, we will…” preamble
• Unexplained jargon
• Code snippets that don’t run
• Hedging every statement
• Missing context (versions, environment, prerequisites)