There are many different types of content and many different methods to distribute it.
While the content itself is very important and it is the reason why the reader has found your content, it is not the only thing you need to concern yourself with. In today’s age, the consumer is much more educated and discerning about what they will consume.
When a reader arrives at your content, be it on a website or on a social media platform, you want them to actually get your message. Here are a few tips on how to make your content even more appealing.
Use of Visuals
Remember that not all content is purely text based. It can be things like images, infographics, and videos. These visuals break up the text and make it more appealing to the reader. Long blocks of text can be both boring and make it easy to get lost. Consider interspersing visuals throughout text like blog posts or articles. Mixing these different elements can engage the reader and keep them reading. Make sure that when you use visuals they actually relate to your topic. Random images will just confuse the reader.
Don’t rule out video. There are a number of ways to create video and you don’t have to spend a fortune.
You only have a few seconds to grab your reader’s attention and the use of the right visual has the potential to accomplish just that. It is a fast and easy way to convey your message and create an emotional response in your reader.
Proofread
While this seems like a real no-brainer to most people, it never hurts to have a reminder.
Take the time to proofread.
Using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation demonstrates to your reader that you are a professional. Would you hire a copywriter whose blog posts are filled with spelling mistakes? Show your readers that you care about their experience and make sure it is a good one.
Learn to Love White Space
Believe it or not, you do not need or want to cover the entire area of content like blog posts, articles or slides with text or images. The use of white space (space where there is nothing) allows the reader’s eyes to rest. It also makes reading on devices like tablets and smart phones easier. Avoid using big blocks of text. The writing you did in school is not the writing that is most effective online.
Entice Readers with Headlines
Depending on the content you are creating, if you need to use a headline, you want to make sure that you use your headline to draw your audience in. Carefully consider what your readers are looking for and how you can solve their problems, make their dreams come true, end their pain or arouse their curiosity. The headline is potentially more important than any visuals. A boring headline will, most likely, result in your potentially amazing content being ignored. If they don’t open it, they don’t see your message.
Have a Call To Action
What exactly do you want people to do after they consume your content? The article is read, the video is watched or the audio is listened to. Now what?
At the end of any content, you can ask your reader to take some action. It could be to answer a question, to sign up for your newsletter list, to get a free consultation. Make sure that your call to action relates to the content you posted. Whatever it is, having a call to action will help you achieve your goals.
What do you find the most challenging about content marketing?