Content saturation is a prevailing problem. Content marketing has become so popular that it’s more challenging than ever for businesses to be found, and as a result, far more difficult to secure click-throughs and conversions.
To rise above the noise, brands have to step up and create better content. We need content that is less predictable and more provocative. Less “safe” and more thought-provoking. Less vanilla and more triple chocolate sundae.
The aim is to escape content mediocrity. And to help us along the way, Henneke Duistermaat at Enchanting Marketing created this hand-drawn infographic, “29 ways to improve your writing skills”. HubSpot also recently referenced the infographic in this post.
Practice with purpose
“Typing more words doesn’t make you a better writer. Instead, practice with purpose.”
Have you ever taken a step back and evaluated your writing? Duistermaat says we should identify the weaknesses in our writing, collect writing examples to learn from, and practice different writing techniques.
Think before you write
“Good content has a clear purpose, so good writing starts with clear thinking.”
Remember your buyer personas. Who are you writing for? Which of their problems are you trying to solve in this piece of content? What’s the roadmap to help the buyer solve their problem?
Structure your content
“The right structure keeps readers captivated from your first to last word.”
Use power words and numbers in the headline to grab attention in busy social media streams. Compose captivating openings that promise to solve readers problems or achieve an aim. Use the body to outline how, step by step. And write inspiring endings that will jumpstart your reader into action.
Master these important skills
“Communicate with clarity and power. Add personality and pizzazz.”
Create a logical flow to keep readers on track. Make abstract ideas concrete so readers easily grasp your message. Write bite-sized, simple, but meaningful sentences. Compose smooth transitions so readers glide effortlessly from paragraph to paragraph.
Use the zoom-in-zoom out technique to weave tiny stories into your content. Hook readers with cliffhangers. Use metaphors to bring rehashed or boring topics to life. Add rhythm by varying your sentence length.
Nurture a writing habit
Make writing a choice - and block out time. Set goals. Start writing - even if you don’t feel motivated. Eliminate distractions. And give yourself time to reflect so you can review your writing with fresh eyes and make it even better.
Readers want to be both inspired and comforted by your content. So, what are you waiting for? Which of these tips will you focus on first?
Delivering high-quality content is an undeniably critical component of any successful marketing strategy. Content creation can help your business rank highly in search engines for keywords related to your core products or services, increase your brand awareness, and allow you to engage more genuinely with an audience. In fact, marketers who prioritize blogging efforts are 13x more likely to see positive ROI. But 'delivering high-quality content' is much easier said than done, particularly when you're on a tight deadline to turnaround blog posts or other written content for your business. And when you're stressed, you might notice the quality of your writing starts to diminish. You'll never see the kinds of results you want to see -- like an increase in brand awareness or a page one slot on Google -- if your writing isn't top-notch. But how can you become a better writer -- and, better yet, how can you become one quickly? Fortunately, Henneke Duistermaat, founder of Enchanting Marketing, created this hand-drawn infographic to display 29 tips she believes will help you cultivate more deliberate, powerful content -- and, best of all, avoid mediocrity. Take a look to learn how you can improve your writing skills today.
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-escape-content-mediocrity
