Doing content writing for a couple of years and read hundreds of books (including a Game of Throne by the way), I still think that my writing sucks at times.
I’ve avoided adverbs at all cost, following Stephen King’s writing tips. I know the difference between your and you’re. I don’t try to be a wordsmith.
But hey – being a good writer doesn’t mean you have to have the best grammar. That’s only part of the entire package. Good writing command attention. It convinces readers to take immediate action. It closes a sale.
Below are some useful strategies to improve your content writing. Enjoy!
Strategies to Improve Your Content Writing
# Write Good Headlines
Why should you write good headlines for your blog post? The answer is obvious – it’s the very first thing people see before anything else!
Sadly, not everyone makes time to craft good headlines. Headlines shouldn’t only be an afterthought. In fact, you’re encouraged to reread your headlines and make the necessary changes even before they go live.
Below are some headline writing tips to take note of:
- Start with numbers – Have you noticed that people are more drawn to list posts? It has been shown that the human eye is naturally attracted to numbers beside the text. With list posts, readers also know what to expect from your blog post.
- Add a bracketed clarification – Again, it is important to always set clear expectations. According to a study, headlines that include brackets to clarify the type of content you have gets you a 38% better performance.
- Use relevant images – Featured images complement headlines. They make headlines stronger or weaker. Most of the time, a great accompanying image is a reason why people proceed to click a blog post. Remember that your featured image should have a good quality and be also able to establish a clear connection to the headline.
# Always search for new ideas
To ensure that you never run out of interesting topics to write about, always stay in research mode. Don’t make research exclusive to writing sessions.
If you look for topics at the last minute, you won’t be able to come up with the best ones.
Ask your Facebook fans – Engage with your audience on your Facebook page by posting a status update in which you ask them the things they want to know more about. The answer you receive can be your source of information. By asking your social media followers what they like, you’ll be able to provide a blog post they will value for sure!
Check out other blogs in your industry – During your free time, visit other relevant blogs in your niche. They can be a great source of information. Try to see which of these posts are popular and get the most engagement – plenty of likes, shares, and comments. If these topics worked for them, they’ll work for you as well. Write similar topics.
Use a headline generator – Aside from helping you craft headlines, headline generators give you amazing ideas to write about based on keywords that you enter.
Since you’ll be staying in a research mode most of the time, make sure to write your ideas down as soon as they pop out. Keep them in a single file or spreadsheet. You can use Dropbox, Evernote or Wunderlist.
# Have your own unique blogging voice
When you’re new to blogging, it’s easy to get distracted with all the “better” posts that you see.
Sometimes, you can’t help but feel envious that these experienced bloggers have already built a very personal connection with their audience. And here you are, sitting alone in one corner trying to find your own voice.
Believe me, finding one’s writing voice is a huge struggle for many writers. However, being able to finally find your unique style sets you apart from your competition. You’ll be able to connect with readers who appreciate you for how you write.
To develop your own blogging voice, do the following:
Enjoy the process of writing – If writing a piece of content feels like work, it means that you’re not being yourself as a writer. I used to write for someone in 2016 and the experience was a real struggle because there were so many rules which to me, didn’t make sense! That result in terrible content writing. I always wanted to bang my head up against the wall.
Think about your ideal reader – Who is your ideal reader? Imagine him – his interests, personality or temperament, educational attainment, and attention span. Whenever you write content for your blog, remember your ideal reader. Write solely for him.
# Don’t fight it.
Writer’s block. Every writer’s worst enemy. This usually happens for several reasons – You expect everything to be perfect. You are so detailed oriented. You are stressed.
No matter the reason, don’t be afraid to leave your desk and take a well-deserved break. Staring at a blank screen for hours and waiting for some creative inspiration won’t help.
Here are some things you should do:
- Go out for a walk.
- Take a power nap.
- Exercise. Sweat it out.
- Stop worrying about everything.
- Get rid of distractions.
- Read motivational quotes.
- Have a coffee break.
Final Thoughts
The best bloggers didn’t start out as expert writers. Successful content writing takes practice and dedication.
If you’re writing so you can make money, put your reader’s interest in mind. Tell stories to keep them engaged.
Just keep on writing!
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