Are you ready to improve your content game? Whether you’re writing blog posts, videos, social media updates, or website copy, creating engaging content is crucial for connecting with your audience and growing your business. But let’s face it—writing great content isn’t always easy, especially when you’re juggling a million other tasks.
Don’t worry, though! In this post, we’ll walk you through 9 simple steps to help you write content that’ll have your readers coming back for more.
Create an outline and stick to it
Think of your outline as a roadmap for your content. It helps you stay on track and covers all the important points. Here’s how to do it:
• Start with your main topic
• List your key points or subheadings
• Add brief notes under each point.
For example, if you’re writing a post about “5 Ways to Boost Your Social Media Presence,” your outline might look like this:
I. Introduction
II. Body
Tip 1: Consistency is key
- Post regularly
- Create a content calendar
Tip 2: Engage with your audience
- Respond to comments
- Ask questions in your posts
Tip 3: Use eye-catching visuals …and so on.
III. Conclusion and CTA
Remember, your outline is your friend. It’ll save you time and keep your writing focused. Trust us, your future self will thank you!
Add background and context to your story
Ever tried to jump into the middle of a conversation and felt totally lost? That’s how your readers feel when you don’t provide context. Give them the background they need to understand and appreciate your content.
For instance, if you’re writing about a new product, don’t just dive into its features. Start with why you created it, what problem it solves, or how it fits into your business story. This helps your readers connect with your content on a deeper level.
Avoid overusing prepositional phrases
Okay, grammar time! But don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple. Prepositional phrases are those little words like “in,” “on,” “at,” and “by” that show relationships between things. They’re useful, but too many can make your writing clunky.
Instead of saying: “The book on the shelf in the corner of the room is the one that I need,” try: “I need the book on the corner shelf.”
See how much cleaner that is? Your readers will thank you for it!
Remove unnecessary information dumping
We get it – you’re excited about your topic and want to share everything you know. But remember, your readers are probably busy people (just like you!). They want valuable information, not an information overload.
Stick to the most important points that directly relate to your main topic. If you are going off on a tangent, ask yourself: “Does this information help my readers understand the main point better?” If not, it might be time to hit that delete button.
Minimise the use of passive voice
Passive voice can make your writing sound weak and unclear. It’s like the difference between “The ball was thrown by John” (passive) and “John threw the ball” (active). See how the second one feels more direct and energetic?
Here’s a quick trick, which I thought was silly at the time but somehow works: If you can add “by aliens” after the verb and it makes sense, you’re probably using the passive voice. For example, “The report was written (by aliens)” is passive. “I wrote the report (by aliens)” doesn’t work, so it’s active.
Utilise strong, action-oriented verbs
Want to make your writing pop? Use strong, specific verbs! Instead of saying, “Our product helps businesses,” try “Our product boosts productivity, slashes costs, and supercharges growth.”
These action-packed verbs paint a vivid picture in your readers’ minds and make your content more engaging. Plus, they’re just more fun to read!
Leverage a thesaurus to vary your word choice
Nobody likes reading the same words over and over again. It’s boring! Spice up your writing by using a variety of words. A thesaurus can be your best friend here.
For example, instead of using “good” multiple times, try mixing it up with words like “excellent,” “fantastic,” “superb,” or “top-notch.” Just remember to choose words that fit your tone and are easy for your readers to understand.
Incorporate a clear structure with a logical flow
Think of your content as a story. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Each paragraph should naturally lead into the next, creating a smooth reading experience.
Use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas. Words like “however,” “moreover,” “in addition,” and “consequently” can help guide your readers through your content.
Also, don’t forget to use subheadings (like we’re doing in this post). They break up your content into digestible chunks, making it easier for readers to skim and find the necessary information.
Edit ruthlessly – cut unnecessary content
Here’s a secret: Great writing is often more about what you take out than what you put in. Once you’ve written your first draft, it’s time to put on your editor’s hat and get ruthless.
Read your content and ask yourself: • Does every sentence add value? • Can I say this more concisely? • Is this information essential to my main point?
If the answer is no, it’s time to cut. Remember, your readers’ time is valuable. Respect it by giving them only your best, most relevant content.
Oli’s Take
There you have it – 9 simple steps to create content that’ll keep your readers returning for more. Remember, great writing is a skill; like any skill, it improves with practice. So don’t be too hard on yourself if your first attempts aren’t perfect. Keep at it; before you know it, you’ll be crafting content like a pro! There are so many ( yes, you’re allowed to use AI) tools to help you bring out the best writer version of yourself.
Now, we’d love to hear from you. Which of these tips do you find most helpful? Do you use any other writing tricks or tools that you like? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let’s learn from each other and keep improving our content game!
Happy writing!