The best way to get your readers excited about a new product or brand is with captivating content. According to studies, blogs have been rated as the 5th most trusted source for accurate online information (Source). That means consumers are looking beyond the ads they see to get a better idea of the product(s) they’re looking to buy. With hands-on experiences, real-life images, and comparisons, it’s obvious why this is the case.
While imagery is always on top, a well-written blog post is always a great addition to make sure you are a go-to source for shoppers. How do you capture an audience when 73% of people admit to skimming blog posts (Source)? Here are our top 5 steps to avoid the skimmers…
1. ENGAGE INSTANTLY
Nail that headline! You only have 8 seconds to make a compelling headline (Source), therefore, hook your readers with something witty or pique their interest with something fascinating. The goal is to grab their attention fully and leave them wanting more.
2. SHOW AND TELL
As we mentioned above, imagery is always at the top of the blog game. In a social world like ours, people want to envision a lifestyle when browsing online. These images mustn’t look like an afterthought, though. Pay attention to lighting, background, and check out Instagram for inspiration. Blog articles with images get 94% more views (Source). So, whether it’s clothing, a DIY project, or a simple product review, strong images will only elevate your post.
Not a photographer? Not a problem as most affiliate programs offer a variety of banners. These are a great way to add imagery to your posts with little work.
*Also, don’t forget to include your affiliate links within your images for optimal tracking.
3. OPTIMIZE FOR SEARCH
Following some basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) rules is a great way to enhance any blog. SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate, while outbound leads (such as direct mail or print advertising) have a 1.7% close rate (Source). Adding relevant keywords to your title and text helps target more search engine users; in turn, getting more eyes on your blog. However, the key to SEO keywords is ratio. Make sure the keywords flow within your writing; otherwise, the reader will feel like they’re reading an ad and search engines frown on this type of writing.
4. CALL-TO-ACTION
There’s a reason to your writing and before your engaged reader gets side-tracked, finish strong with a call-to-action (CTA). More than 90% of visitors who read your headline also read your CTA copy (Source); give them a desired action with a carefully thought out CTA. This practice is known to increase click-throughs and conversions with little to no added work.
5. PROOFREAD
A blog post takes time and energy; and having mistakes make your readers think it was done in haste. Never overlook the editing process; a typo can be your worst enemy. You want to make your audience feel like you cared and took thought when writing. After editing it on your own, give your eyes a rest and have a trusted friend or colleague take a look. More eyes, the better!
There you have it – our top 5 tips to creating an engaging blog post that are easy and painless. If you’re looking for more insight on content writing, please don’t hesitate to write or call us.
