Kick-ass content is key to transmitting your message, generating traffic, and selling your product or service. Here are several elements that will make your content more effective with your audience and prompt them to take the action you hope for.
Think about reader experience, instead of the search engines. Many blog writers focus on creating content for Search Engine Optimization. They don’t get that it’s about the reader not about the Google page rank. People want quality content that helps them solve problems, provides essential info, and entertains them. Keep your readers top of mind when you create content. This allows you to hold their interest, enjoy your blog enough to return, and maybe even buy your stuff.
Note: when conversation turns to writing for SEO, it’s usually keywords people worry about–how many times can one get away with repeating them before invoking the “keyword-stuffing” penalty. But think about length, too. If you mean to say something as simple as “don’t run with scissors–you could put someone’s eye out,” don’t pad your content with a review of scissors history, common alloys used in their manufacture, and so on. If you bore your readers with that crap, they’ll do some cutting of their own and scissor you from their net surfing agenda.
The same is true on social media platforms. Part of what adds fuel to the social media fire is that visitors want to learn how to make money from these platforms. Internet marketers are keen to know what content they should put on Facebook, or which tweets will be profitable for their business. That’s understandable, but focusing on some formula instead of your audience won’t fatten your wallet. Simply put, it’s not about the social media algorithm, but is instead about giving people what they want.
Understand that it’s okay for readers to share your content. Ultimately, it leads to more traffic to your website and more readers of your content. If you lock down your content,it will work against you. It limits your readership and your profits. Think of your content as your spokesperson on a global tour, working to create buzz about you and your product.
Be prolific—determine to write at least one article or blog post per week. As you get the hang of it, you’ll create more content more easily, and your content quality will increase as you hone your skills. Pay attention to your analytics, and if you encourage comments, be sure you take the time to read them and engage with your growing tribe—you’ll learn a lot about what they really want.
Keep an open mind and stay flexible. You can have a whole plan for specific topics and find reader response leading you to home in on a subordinate topic. You have to put aside Plan A, and give the audience what they want. You can always return to your original agenda later on. Whatever fires your readers up now is what gets them excited about your space and eager to return (and buy).
Want a happy tribe of enthusiastic followers and buyers? Give the people what they want.
