Writing for MIDIRS is your chance to share your voice, your experiences, and your knowledge. Following our best practices ensures that your blog is as strong and impactful as the work you do!
Contributing to our blog is a fantastic way to express your ideas, build your portfolio, and share valuable insights with the midwifery community, especially if you’re a midwife, student midwife, or maternity support worker. But, whether you are a new or seasoned writer, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make your article stand out.
Follow our guide to write a post that’s both engaging and impactful, allowing you to unlock your writing potential:
1. Pick a topic that you are passionate about
The best blog posts come from the heart. Before you start writing, think about which topics you are truly passionate about – something that’s moved you, challenged you, or changed the way you work. That passion will shine through in your writing.
A great place to start is by reflecting on your own experiences. Have you had a moment in practice that made you stop and think? Have you learnt something recently that shifted your perspective? Has a patient interaction stayed with you long after the shift ended? Personal stories are incredibly powerful. These stories help other readers relate, reflect, and feel less alone in their own experiences.
If you’re making a claim or sharing a clinical opinion, it’s a good idea to back it up with evidence from guidelines, studies, or trusted professional resources. A combination of personal insight and reliable information makes for a compelling, credible read.
Struggling to come up with a topic? Why not look at the Royal College of Midwives’ newly published Top Ten Research Priorities, or our previous blogs, for inspiration?
2. Start with a plan
Once you have a topic, it helps to start with a clear plan. Putting your thoughts into a bullet point structure can keep your ideas focused and make the writing process less overwhelming. Think about the key message you want to share, and how you will structure your post to get it across. A good blog post has an enticing introduction, a middle section that explores the topic, and a concise ending to consolidate your message.
We recommend aiming for a post that’s between 350 and 1500 words. Shorter posts are great for focused reflections or personal stories, whereas longer pieces work well for in-depth discussions or more complex topics. There is flexibility within the word count, so if your writing is outside of this range, do still get in touch. The word count is a great guideline, however, for ensuring that your writing is focused and clear.
3. Have a compelling introduction
First impressions matter. The beginning of your blog sparks interests, and invites the reader in. Most blogs will have an introductory sentence or two that set the tone of the article (take a look at the top of this article, for example).
Your opening line should be eye-catching, intriguing, or thought-provoking; something that encourages your reader to want more. There a several ways to achieve this:
- Ask a thought-provoking question – Have you ever walked out of a shift feeling like something just didn’t sit right, but couldn’t explain why?
- Share a short, powerful anecdote – On my first ever clinical placement, everything I thought I knew about birth was challenged.
- Write an unexpected or bold statement – We talk a lot about resilience in midwifery, but what we really need is support.
- Begin with emotion – There are moments in this job that take your breath away, and others that break your heart.
Tip: Come back to the first sentence of your blog after you have finished writing and revise the opening. Once you know the exact direction that your article goes in, it’s often easier to craft a strong introduction.
4. Keep it conversational
This blog isn’t as formal as an academic journal like MIDIRS Midwifery Digest: it’s a space for reflection, opinion, and connection. Keep your tone conversational and relatable – talk to your reader, not at them.
There is scope for your personality to shine through. Use language that feels natural to you, while still keeping things professional. And, if you need to use clinical terms or refer to a guideline, explain them clearly so readers of all levels can follow.
5. Write a strong ending
A good ending leaves your readers with a sense of closure, or something to think about. Bring your post full circle: summarise your key points, reflect on what they mean, or leave your readers with a message to take away.
You could end by:
- Sharing a final thought or reflection
- Asking a question to encourage discussion
- Suggesting a next step or resource for readers to explore
Whatever approach you take, aim to leave your readers feeling like their time reading your post was worthwhile. A thoughtful ending can help your words stick long after readers have clicked away.
6. Add visuals where you can
Images can bring your writing to life. Whether it’s a photo (with consent), an infographic, a diagram, or even a simple quote graphic, visuals help break up your text and keep the reader engaged. They also add an extra layer of meaning, as long as they are relevant, good quality, and used with permission! MIDIRS can help guide you if you are unsure.
7. Proofread, but don’t panic!
Write to a high standard of spelling, punctuation and grammar, and give your article a careful proofread to make sure that your message is clear and your tone is consistent. Reading it out loud can help – you will spot awkward phrases and typos much faster that way.
That being said, MIDIRS will check and tidy your article before it is published, so don’t worry if you are not certain on phrasing or grammar.
We hope this style guide helps you feel more confident about sharing your voice on MIDIRS blog. Whether you are a midwife, student, or maternity support worker, your experiences and insights are valuable, and they deserve to be heard.
Please contact Head of Midwifery Information and Research Services Sara Webb – sara.webb@rcm.org.uk – with contributions to, or questions about, MIDIRS blog. We look forward to hearing from you!
