Let's get to the point: you have a blog - business or personal - and you want to get the best ROI possible with each and every article you publish. Writing articles takes time and effort, so you don't want that to be wasted, right? I assure you that your article will provide better value and make your readers stick around longer if you include these 7 elements of blog content.
1) A compelling headline
- When you create your headline, are you aiming for one that informs or intrigues?
- Do you go at it alone, or have you referred to the advice others provide?
- If alone, how do you determine what your headline should say?
2) An introduction that hooks the reader in
Do you have a specific way of wording or structuring your introductions? There are several different types of intros to choose from, but it's always best to stick to options that appeal to your specific audience. It's also essential to pick certain intro types even if they aren't your personal favorites. Write intros for your audience, not yourself.
3) Headings that draw attention and help readers scan
I've seen articles with headings that inform, and I've seen ones with headings that simply confuse me. I've heard people say that you need to create headings that draw attention, but you also need to make sense. It's best practice to write headings that make scanning your article easier, and if you want people to understand what your article is about, make these section titles relevant and to-the-point. Write to inform, not confuse.
4) Images that give readers a break from all the text
Articles need imagery, especially if the content is meant to inform or consists of heavy text. This doesn't have to mean adding multiple images throughout the article. Sometimes, you may be fine with just one or two. It can depend on the content and the availability of relevant images.
5) Links to further resources that help your readers better understand
- By adding links to other articles and pages on your own website, you're connecting your current article to other places on your site. This increases the likelihood of further interaction with your content and business.
- By adding links to other websites and their resources, you give your readers a better understanding of the subject. You increase your own credibility as well as build relationships with other businesses and bloggers.
6) A summary section that gives readers a quick explanation or reference
All your articles should have a conclusion that helps readers understand the point of what they just read. If a list post, adding the items alone at the end can give readers a quick reference to use.
Keep your summary short and to-the-point. Just like the introduction, make sure your readers know what value can come from your article. Give them a reason to refer to your article in the future, maybe even share it with their social communities.
7) A call to action that offers more for your readers
Do you have eBooks or other offers you can give to your readers after reading your articles? Adding a call-to-action (CTA) to the end of your article rewards the visitors who read or scrolled to the bottom of your article. It gives them something more to use, and gives you further opportunities to increase activity (sales, donations or otherwise) on your website.
A CTA is a must for all your articles. When you give your visitors something to do after reading, you increase the ROI of your article. You'll have the opportunity to bring your readers to a sign-up page, increasing your subscribers list. You can lead readers to a donations or sales page to improve in that regard. A CTA helps you get more out of your article while also benefiting your readers as well.
Summary
List items:
- A compelling headline
- An introduction that hooks the reader in
- Headings that draw attention and help readers scan
- Images that give readers a break from all the text
- Links to further resources that help your readers better understand
- A summary section that gives readers a quick explanation or reference
- A call to action that offers more for your readers
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