How to Write & Engage Your Readers with Website Content

It doesn’t matter how well you advertise, or how good you are at pulling people in. If your content isn’t up to scratch, you’re not going to get very far. Fortunately, just because your content doesn’t yet zing right now doesn’t mean you can’t make it zing.

After all, writing is a skill – which means that, like any other, if you practice you will get better.

Rather than just blindly trying things, however, there are certain tips and tricks that will certainly help you make your content better.
Today we’re going to explore ten of these for you to experiment with.

The headline is the mainline

The most important bit of text is the headline.

If you don’t have an engaging headline, then people aren’t going to read your material. For this reason, spend some extra time on your headline and make sure you use power words to make it as engaging as possible.

Be certain

Don’t hedge. If you’re saying things like ‘in my opinion’, ‘possibly’, or ‘I think that’ then see if you can’t get rid of them. That doesn’t mean you should be misleading. Sometimes not being certain is fine. But don’t apologize for what you’re saying.

For one thing, if we’re reading your blog then we know it’s your opinion.

You don’t need to tell us. In fact, telling us makes you seem uncertain and weak and with there being so many people out there with strong opinions, that’s going to make life difficult.

Use headlines and create content that is easy to scan

Most people don’t have time to really read your content thoroughly.

They’re more likely to just scan it. Yes, that’s frustrating, but it’s also how it works.

For that reason, you’ve got to make certain that you write for the scanners. That means you use short paragraphs, bullet points and numbers, bold text and headlines. In this way, you won’t lose the scanner, as they’ll be able to get the gist of what you’re writing.

Create a bubble

Do you know how to include the reader in your text? You can do so by speaking to them directly by way of the second person. Or, in case you weren’t paying attention in English class, by utilizing the word ‘you’.

Check it out:

• People can write more effectively by speaking straight to their audience.
• You can write more effectively by speaking straight to your audience.

Which feels more personal? Use that style.

Engage the senses

If you really want to bring your readers on board, use the senses. And not just sight either – though it’s always a good one. Find ways to use taste, smell and touch as well.

How do I mean that?

• When I don’t use the senses it isn’t very engaging.
• When I engage the senses, however, then the words I whisper slip across your perception like soft silk.

Metaphors and similes

In fact, that’s another good point. Use metaphors and similes where you can. People say what similes are weak metaphors, but I tend to disagree. And besides, people online really don’t use either that much, so if you can include them you’re going to have a serious leg up on your competition.

You can use the more common ones, but if you really want to, aim at some that are a bit more unusual.

That’s going to turn more heads that you’ve got butterflies in your stomach, or that it felt like somebody was walking across your grave.

Use the tools available

Sure, you can write good copy on your own. Great copy, however, takes help. For that reason, use what’s out there.

• Grammarly: A good tool to find out if you’re making any mistakes that can easily be fixed. The basic version  is free and though I don’t always agree with its suggestions, the fact that I need to think about it is helpful enough.
• Hemingway App: Another great tool that will tell you when you’re using too many adverbs, will point out run-on sentences and generally make you think about your writing. It too is free.
• Essay Republic: Get some professional writers involved to either write you a draft or help you with editing. Not free, but not that expensive either. And sometimes we need to spend money to make money, right?

Don’t write for everybody

Because if you do, then you are not really writing for anybody.

Instead, define and audience and target your text at them. In this way you won’t engage with everybody that’s out there, but the people that you do manage to engage with will be really engaged and will be well on their way to become fans.

And that’s far more interesting than having many mildly engaged people.

Let your stuff cook

Sometimes the best way to figure out what needs changing is by taking a break. For this reason, don’t write you stuff last minute.

Instead, write it, give it some time (I try to give it at least 24 hours) and get back to it.

You’re far more likely to spot the mistakes this way and find better the metaphors and turns of phrase that you’re looking for.

Keep going

Rome wasn’t built in a night and neither is a great writer. It takes practice and effort to become great. It takes constant work and constant writing. So don’t get discouraged when you initially don’t get a lot of traction with your stuff.

It takes time to find the right audience and it takes time for you to find your voice.

So, play the long game. Don’t pay attention to the individual visitors and don’t get too stressed out as the statistics swing up and down. As long as there’s a rising line in what you’re doing. As long as you feel that you’re getting better with each post you’re writing, you’re doing well.

And sooner or later everybody else will realize that too. So work for the long run, focus on finding meaning in your own work, and don’t allow yourself to get discouraged. If you can do all of that, then the rest will come.

Guest post by Dante Munnis a blogger and idea maker from Stockholm. In addition, he is blogger and idea maker who interested in self-development, web related topics and success issues. You can get in touch with Dan via Twitter profile.