How to Write Valuable Content Readers Crave
Successful blogs are built on solid foundations of great content. There is no way around this. If you want readers, you must deliver the content they desire. In this post, I will cover my top 5 super easy steps and tips on How to Write Valuable Content Readers Crave.
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Before I started blogging, I conducted numerous hours of research and absorbed as much information as I could find by signing up for newsletters, attending webinars, and joining Facebooks groups. I was fairly confident blogging was the journey I wanted to travel and had equipped myself with a good amount of information to help in my success.
Are you at this point? Do you feel a touch of information overload?
My confidence quickly faded when I sat to write my first post! Jeez! Reality hit at that moment!
What do I write about? Will anyone want to read what I write? Do I write in journal form? Wait! I have a journalism degree…Do I write in news (AP) style? Or maybe I need to write in business format. And my questions went on and on, which in turn heightened my apprehension on my decision to blog. How do I write valuable content readers crave?
Blindly I chose a topic and proceeded to write, still without enough knowledge of where I was headed. This first post took 2 days to complete. Yes! You read that correctly –2 days of constant writing and unlimited amounts of self-doubt. Y’all! I have written research papers in less time than my first blog post!
Months ago, I would have been embarrassed to admit this info to anyone. But, the former educator in me decided to use this as a learning opportunity for you, my readers and potential bloggers!
In my quest to improve my writing, I have accumulated a few tips to share with you to give you a little direction on how your post should look and what it should contain.
How do you write valuable content readers crave?
Below you will find 5 easy steps that will give you a basis of what your post needs to have your readers devouring every word and actually coming back for more!
Step 1 — Write in a conversational tone
Stop writing your post to your READERS! Yes! I just said that!
When you write to a group, a faceless crowd, you start to lecture and stand on a soapbox. You tend to become robotic which kills your voice.
Instead of writing to a group, imagine your favorite reader, someone you can relate to, someone you would consider a friend. Imagine her sitting down with a cup of coffee opening your latest blog post. Think of her nodding as she reads your points. She knows you wrote this for her, about her, answering her questions, even making jokes she will get.
You understand your favorite reader!
This is the one and only person you are writing for.
You are having a conversation with her and use words like I and you.
I even read my post out loud (which is quite funny since I prefer to work outdoors) to hear what I am writing…or saying.
When you write in this fashion, you will quickly cultivate a connection with your readers. THIS is how you keep them coming back for more!
Step 2 — Have a catchy title
I feel the most important part of your blog post is your title!
Why do I say this? Well, typically 8 out of 10 people will read your title, but only 2 out of 10 will click through and read your post.
The effectiveness and reach of your entire post are held by the power of your title. Let that sink in for a moment.
If your readers stop reading before they even get to your post, you are dead in the water…no traffic or growth.
Step 3 — Identify and solve a problem
Your readers need a reason to read your post; which means your content must be extremely useful. What problem does your friend, the reader, have in her daily life that you can solve?
Be a trusted resource for her by giving practical tips and tools to solve this identified problem. Find useful ways to help and you will truly become a friend and resource of knowledge.
Step 4 — Make it scannable
In our fast-paced life, most people read online by scanning a page for visual cues. We no longer read content. You must keep this in mind when writing your posts.
Use lists, formatting, headings and subheadings, pictures, and other techniques to make your post easier to read and scannable.
Step 5 — Conclude with a Call to Action
Every blog post should have a conclusion with a great call to action.
What is a call to action?
Basically, it is an invitation for your readers to take a certain action. This can be asking for shares or comments, email subscriptions, ebooks, etc.
A great call to action will add extended value to your post and encourage engagement.
These are just a few of the helpful tips I have compiled in my blogging journey.
Have you used any of these tips or plan to use them in your next post? Do you have useful tips you’d love to share?
I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
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