How To Write Follow-Up Articles
Or, What To Do When Something Happens
Breaking news can be an incredibly competitive and difficult space to rank in - especially since all of the initial stories will be similar. Your site can stand out and thrive in this environment by publishing effective follow-up content. Follow-up articles can bring search, news, Google Discover, social, and newsletter traffic to the site for many days after an event or major breaking news story.
Follow-Up Content Strategy
After covering the initial news story (because your core audience will want to read it on your site), consider whether the person or event is someone/something your site normally covers. If the answer is no, return to the regular news or posting cycle. If yes, create follow-up content.
Here are some breaking news follow-up article ideas:
- Social Media Reactions
- Celebrity/Athlete/Politician Reactions
- Fan Reactions
- Mugshot Photos
- Explanations of the crime and punishment
- Legal troubles timeline
- Relationship timeline
- Who is TK (An explainer about someone significant other, business partner, or other person associated with the news story)
- Round Up Of Other Times A Thing Has Happened (ex. Every Performer Banned From SNL)
- First sighting after a major announcement or breakup
- Other people who have done a thing that's in the news
- An explainer about why something was said, or what it means
For Awards Shows When Everyone Will Be Covering The Winners List
Definitely cover the winners list and the red carpet, and notable acceptance speeches and antics, and keep an eye out for breakout moments, like when an award winner refers to their child by the wrong name, or a presenter sets part of the stage on fire.
Follow-up article ideas for after the event:
- Red carpet: Couples
- Red carpet: Best Dressed
- Red Carpet: Group Any Trends, like "All The Red Dresses" or a certain style of dress
- After party fashion
- After party antics
- Best and worst of the show
- What the audience didn't see on TV
- Post awards show interviews
- Any records that were set or broken (EGOTs, most wins, most losses, etc.)