7 Simple Content Writing Tips To Master In 2023
Let’s face it, content writing can be difficult. How can you be sure that what you write will engage your audience? Will it answer their questions quickly and accurately? Whether you’re new to content writing or you’re a seasoned professional, these timeless content writing tips are worth revisiting time and again to refine your writing.
1. Be Clear, Not Clever
Good writers often have a wide vocabulary and can deliver elaborate descriptions to illustrate their points. But that’s not what content writing is about.
More often than not, your readers are after clear and simple answers. Avoid clever writing techniques and focus on clarity, making sure the reader understands your message.
2. Use Fewer Words
Unfortunately, you need to expect that your web visitors are impatient. The average user only spends 37 seconds reading a blog, so you’ll need to get your point across quickly.
Don’t make your readers trawl through hundreds of words to get the answer they’re looking for. Make things easy for them and communicate your key information as clearly as you can in as few words as possible.
3. Real Data Is Vital
Users want to take advice from experts. To be recognised as an expert, you’ll need to build credibility, and including statistics and real data is an easy way to do this. Put yourself in your reader’s shoes.
Would you find more value in learning that “most people read blog posts very quickly”, or finding out that “a recent study by Hubspot has revealed that 73% of users admit to skimming blog posts”?
4. Always Educate To Build Trust
For your readers to trust you, they’ll need to see that you’re not just after their money. To do this, educate your audience by giving them tips, insights and statistics that matter to them.
Make sure your website becomes their go-to resource to solve all their problems related to your niche, whether it be football boots or SEO articles, and you’ll be on your way to building a reputation as a trusted industry expert. If you do this consistently, it’s likely that your audience of trusting users will multiply.
5. Focus On Readability
User experience and ease of access have become the name of the game in content writing today. We’re using our phones to read content more than ever before, and that means long, chunky paragraphs are difficult to read.
Make sure you cater to all your potential readers and make your content easy to read by not just focusing on the words you use, but how your information is presented.
6. Prioritise Your Headline
Your headline is the first thing any user will see on your page, but don’t make it the last. Write your headline first and don’t stop until you’ve made sure it’s engaging and explains what you can offer.
This will ensure your readers scroll beyond your headline, and it will provide you with a clear direction to follow in your content, making sure you don’t stray off-topic and fail to deliver on the promise your headline sets out.
7. Speak To The Individual
When you write for an online audience, especially for SEO purposes, you might think your aim is to write for a diverse audience. Forget that. Successful content writing works when you write for one person.
Develop a detailed understanding of your target audience and write your content based on that one individual. What are they looking for and what do they need to know? Write effectively for one person and you’ll resonate with more users than you can imagine.
Kickstart Your Content Writing Today
By prioritising clarity and cutting down your word count you’ll keep your audience engaged. To build your credibility, educate your readers with easy-to-read, expert insight that is backed by real data. Don’t forget to raft a quality headline, and then seal the deal with personalised content that will resonate with your target audience.