Content marketers can take cues from the practices of professional journalists when writing their content.
To increase your readership and maintain your current audience’s interest, I’ve included a few tips you can adopt from the world of journalism.
- Write compelling headlines. You’ll not only get your reader’s attention, (online readers tend to scan headings and skip around content more than when they read print articles), but headlines tend to be more memorable than the entire content.
- Be specific about your subject. This adds value and interest rather than generalities. Your article won’t come off as superficial or boring.
- Do your homework. Research. Back up your writing with facts. Unless it’s an op-ed type piece, you need to include statistics, data or experience.
- Keep your writing short and concise. Sentences should be 12 words or fewer (12 may be too long.)
- Keep up with other bloggers and news organizations. Your content is fresh when not repeated. If you must include what has gone viral, add your personal “twist.”
- Write quality content. This defines your brand’s reputation and perception.
- Think long-term. Many items in the news cycle have a short self life. Pick topics that are timeless. Doing so will help keep your content coming up in search engines. This develops more readers over time.
- Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. And proofread again. Journalists have editors. If you have time, allow someone else to review your content. If you don’t, put it down. Pick it up again and review it with fresh eyes.
In today’s world, everyone is a writer, but not everyone is a “journalist.” Incorporating these practices will help you be more memorable and “more visible.”