Everyday, millions of content are published across websites and shared on different platforms. Since the World Wide Web is getting too crowded, and businesses and marketers are clamoring for rankings and user attention, how can you possibly stand out and make sure your content reaches your market?
From content strategy, creation to distribution, here are 10 effective tips that can help your content break through the web, reach the right people, and generate results for your business.
1. Allot time for brainstorming.
Writer’s block or getting trapped in a rut is normal when it comes to content creation. In order to fight that feeling of being stale or stagnant, schedule regular brainstorming sessions with your content team. It is a good way to pitch ideas and develop concepts. Of course not all insights will be used, but they can spur inspiration and discussion on how to make content better.
TIP: Invite other members of your marketing team to brainstorm and see what they have to say. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective from other people outside the content group to spur inspiration for the next big thing.
2. Write irresistible headlines.
Headlines are so powerful that it can either entice readers to check your content out or turn them off and push them to keep scrolling. In fact, eight out of 10 will read the headline but only two of them will read the rest of the article. So how can you make the other eight stay and see what you have to say?
Write an effective headline. It should be able to tap interest, ignite curiosity, reveal something unusual, communicate why the content is useful, and in some cases, exaggerate a little.
While you want to catch your reader’s attention, see to it that your content will actually live up to what you promise in the headline. Don’t say it’s mind-blowing if the body will fall short of blowing the reader’s mind. Sure, irresistible headlines are important, but it’s not enough to build credibility and trustworthiness, so make sure that your title will reflect what’s in the content.
3. Go from textual to visual.
Today textual content alone may not be enough to stand out. While having in-depth information is important, how you present data bears an equally significant weight, especially with today’s digital marketing scenario.
Content accompanied by relevant images gets 94% more views as opposed to those that don’t have images. Images supports the message of your content, and not just compels users to stay and read what you have to say, but also helps in getting your message across and making it more understandable.
Meanwhile, you can also rely on other ways to deliver important information to your audience. For instance, instead of writing an in-depth article, why not turn that data into an infographic or a short video? Visual content is easily digested, and it’s a good way to help your audience remember your message and compel them to act on it. In addition, you can turn presentations into slideshows and publish them online.
4. Build authority.
Citing studies related to your content or message is a good way to build credibility and trust. People are more inclined to believe content or claims that are backed by research. You can mention important facts from industry statistics or data from a study that your firm conducted.
5. Encourage engagement.
Make your content interactive and provide an avenue for people to voice out their own views. Aside from putting a comments section, you can encourage engagement through polls or surveys, especially if you published a list.
For instance, you reviewed the new specifications of a mobile phone. You can create a poll asking people to rank features according to their preference.
6. Infuse a bit of humor.
Spice up your content with a bit of wit and humor. Sometimes, anecdotes or clever one-liners can make you remarkable, help increase your exposure, and score you a few citations. It’s tricky to include humor without being offensive, but sometimes a funny line can help burst people’s bubbles and make them realize the value of the information you’re providing them.
TIP: Use humor only when appropriate. If you’re presenting news or anything about a sensitive matter, it’s best to save the joke for another post.
7. Ask people what they want.
If you want to create relevant content, ask your readers. Encourage your audience to voice out what they want to know about your niche. Doing so will make them feel important and compel them to read your content because they specifically requested for it.
8. Know what’s buzzing.
The only way to provide relevant content is to be in the know about what’s trending in your niche. Join forums, set up alerts, and stay active in social media to see what’s keeping people buzzing and on their toes. One of the secrets of effective content marketing is to stay abreast about the latest in your field and build relevant content around it. For instance, if you’re in the tech industry, be on the lookout for latest updates on popular gadgets, software, apps, equipment, and information technology in general.
9. Publish across different platforms.
Publishing content on your website is good, but you need to let people know about it. Share it on social media and if appropriate, cite your content when participating in forums. If you have an e-mail list, send them a short message about your latest post and why they should check it out. Remember, content will only be as effective as how you promote it.
10. Have a genuine passion for your niche.
When content is created by a person with expertise and passion on the subject, it will reflect good insights and well-researched data. Meanwhile, if an article is written just for the sake of meeting a deadline, it usually appears uninspired and seems to lack depth. Develop a passion or at least an interest on your niche, because that’s perhaps the most effective way to provide useful content and enjoy the process of creating it.
At the end of the day, quality is the name of the game when it comes to content. When you publish relevant, insightful and useful posts, your audience will be naturally drawn to your content and compelled to share it with others. As a result, you have higher chances of increasing conversions and being on top of the SERP.
