Tips for writing engaging content

Engaging Users

Finding Inspiration for writing

• Reading blogs• Reading newspapers• Reading news websites• Social media / social network• Magazines and novels

Check this out

31 ways to find inspiration for writing

Content Research – How to get the content?

• From the customers• Using keyword research tools

E.g. - https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

• From Competitors sites - sitemaps• Using tools like Google Alerts for the

category specific keywords to find the latest updates.

SEO site structure example

Create an engaging opener

Dive right in and start talking to the reader.  Don’t start with facts.  I often like to start by telling what prompted me to write a particular piece. Sometimes I start off as if the conversation has already started.

E.g.

1.Do You Write From Your Heart ?

2.7 Can't-Miss Ways To Kick-Start The Writing Habit

3.20 Places to Find Online Courses for Writers

4.Pure Silk Blouses – 30 Percent Off

Catchy headlines

• Fresh Bait Works Best

Source

How to write headlines that work

Add vivid details wherever relevant -

Creating a scene – through the content

Don’t overdo it, but sometimes creating a scene helps hook people and draw them in.  Be specific – name specific items; avoid use of the words “things” “bad” “good” – stretch yourself to find more engaging details.  Remember the five sense as you write and try to appeal to as many of them that are logical.

Few more guidelines

Focus on benefits –

What are the goals?

What does the reader hope to accomplish?

What problem does he or she want resolved?

What solution does the visitor seek?

Use Active language -

Here’s how to gauge whether or not your sentences are passive – count how many times you use the words “was, were, had been, is, or  are” – too many may signal passive voice.  Try to replace them with more accurate active verbs.  That will add energy and life to your post.

Example -

Instead of “the other day I was writing a post…”say, “the other day I wrote a post…”

Instead of “we were thinking about moving, but…”say, “we thought about moving, but…”

Remix clichés for hint of the unexpected -

Instead of digging into your usual bag of clichés, try changing things up.  Play around with words. See if you can come up with something fresh.

Instead of writing, “I’m starving to death…”write, “I’m so hungry, even the Grim Reaper looks delicious …”

Instead of writing, “I’m tired as a dog…”write, “If I was any more tired, someone might have to put a leash around my collar…”

I know these might not be the best or the funniest, but at least they aren’t the same old thing – they wake up the senses because they are unexpected.

Tie it all together – A good conclusion

Don’t just end a post abruptly, tie everything together neatly with a quick 2 – 3 sentence conclusion. An easy way to do this is to think about what each of your points had in common – or – how your readers could apply them. Or you could end with a question (like I did) that helps your readers think and come to a conclusion of their own.

Conclusion

What writing tricks do you use to make sure your content is fun and engaging?

Other Important points• Five Grammatical Errors that Make You Look Dumb• 15 practical tips for better writing• 6 foreign expressions you should know • 8 proofreading tips and techniques