Creating Content People ACTUALLY Want to Read
Writing content that people want to read–whether it be blog posts, newsletters, or another format–is one of the most important things to focus on when branding yourself online. Content allows your audience to get an idea of who you are, proves that you are knowledgeable in your industry, and entices your audience to keep visiting your platforms.
Writing content that engages your audience isn’t as hard as it seems, and it can easily be figured out as you create your content calendar. When creating my own content calendar, I ask myself these three questions below that help me to confirm that the content I’m producing will be engaging and will influence people to read it.
Does it solve a problem?
When putting together content, see if the content solves an issue. You could put together a “how to” or answer a common question in the industry that you’re in. For example, I write “how to” posts all the time that share how people can do certain things involving social media, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more.
Does it provide value?
You want to guarantee that ALL of your content provides value. Whether it includes a freebie, gives people solid advice that they can use in their own business, or something else, you should make sure that your audience didn’t waste their time reading what you wrote. The most common form of this is giving tips; I always like to offer free advice that people can therefore use on their own.
Does it discuss a trending topic?
One of the best ways to encourage people to read your content is to write about something that’s a “trending topic” or a question that people would really like to get their hands on. Honestly, the content that I’ve written about “trending topics” tend to be my most popular posts – including strategies for using hashtags, how to find the right hashtags to use on Instagram, and how to get around Instagram’s new algorithm. These are all questions that people are constantly asking about, so putting all of the info into a blog post that I can direct people to is really beneficial for me.
Here’s what you should do: plan out a week of content and write notes for each piece that will answer these questions. After completing these, it’ll help you to map out your KILLER content. How do you create content that people actually want to read?
16 Comments
Those three questions are great to keep in mind while writing. I tend to ask myself similar questions when I’m writing a new post.
These are such important things to consider and think about when writing blog posts! Love this, great tips!
I never thought to ask myself the first question you brought up. I’ll have to try that next time I’m adding more ideas to my content list!
These are all so key and important. I think in addition to these three points that being relational is huge, too!
These are all so important! You totally need to keep your audience in mind.
Great questions to ask ourselves!
-Anna | http://www.fivefootandfabulous.com
Interesting things to think about! But I also think creating content for yourself is important as well 🙂
http://thesofieyahdiaries.com/travel/food-adventures-nyc
One and two are my go-tos! Great post.
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
I’ve found that my posts about Instagram have been more popular as well! I’m working on doing posts about trending topics because I feel like that’s so important!
trending topics are the most important to know about! These are awesome ideas!
This is such a good & important read. Blogging is hard work and if you don’t understand what your target market you’re wasting your time!
These are all on point Ashley! It always surprises me when people don’t think in terms of problem solving and value!
Very lovely points Ashley, I always think of providing value whenever I’m creating content. Thank you for sharing!
Ash | http://www.theashtreejournal.com
I love this and love reading about trending topics in blog posts!
I love this! I’m trying to be more strategic about the content that I post, and this will definitely help!
My big thing is if it provides value, or gives them something to laugh at! Just making my readers feel like they aren’t alone is huge for me!
I love the trending topics ideas and I need to work on being more timely!
xx
Ashley