Content writing is everything these days. No business can survive online without a decent site, social media presence, communication with customers, and good posts. That’s what content writing is all about. That’s also why content writers are in such demand right now. Finding a person who can represent you online can be tough, though. They should understand your business, have enough experience, and know the top rules of content writing. Besides, achieving those golden standards takes effort and practice. So, let’s see how to write website content and what rules to follow.
Know your audience
First and foremost, all content writers should create posts with their readers in mind. Hence, the first rule is – Know your audience. Take time to research who reads what you write. Think about what your audience needs and wants to hear. Make an analysis of the business or industry you are writing for and create a general portrait of a reader. Feeling like you know this person will help you create more relevant content plans and establish close communication.
Finally, know how much your readers know about the topics you write about. For instance, if you write to an IT blog, find out who the common readers are. Do they know what you discuss there, or are you the first to introduce specific topics? Can you skip all the terms’ explanations, or should you focus on them? Finding out what your readers need and expect will ensure certain success with your audiences.
Start with the essentials
These days, only a few of us have the time to read all articles from top to bottom. Sometimes, we are just looking for answers. So, to keep readers on your page for longer, promise them these answers in the text. Don’t be all so soy about it, and start with what they are looking for right at the top. If they are interested in more details, they will scroll down and read the whole thing.
However, if the readers don’t see anything promising in the introduction, they will read the page within the first few seconds. It’s bad for business and your work. First, an engine search monitors users’ behavior. So, if users open and close your page within one minute or so, the engine won’t see it fitting for search inquiries. Hence, it will move further in the results.
That’s not why businesses hire you. A writer’s goal is to keep users interested for much longer, preferably making them check out other posts on the site, too. So, start with the essentials. Give people what they need, and they will stay for more.
Set clear purposes
Each text should pursue clear goals and purposes. If you can clearly define those things, your readers will easily pick up on them. So, start with the intention. What are you trying to achieve there? Is it an educational, entertaining, informative article, or something else? What do people expect to click on your title? Can you deliver it?
Overall, each text should follow its premise. So, don’t ever disappoint readers by giving them something they didn’t expect to see. For instance, if you cover coffee brewing methods, don’t go on about hard conditions on Kenyan coffee plantations for several paragraphs. Remember, if they don’t find the desired info with you, plenty of other sites will deliver. So, don’t let your audience go somewhere else if you can give them what they need.
Make your tests visibly appealing
People won’t be happy to see a huge block of text with nothing to catch their attention. They need sections, paragraphs, lists, images, highlighted areas, quotations in larger fonts to emphasize the main idea, etc. All these things help people perceive texts better. Hence, a reader will open a page and see a clear structure and division inside the text right away.
For instance, you can go to these speedy paper reviews and see clear blocks of information. It’s easy to find what you are looking for and click on the most promising pages. Overall, you want your texts to look inviting and readable. Thus, users start with the texts, jumping through a page a bit, hopping from one main highlighted point or list to another without a problem.
Always edit
It should go without saying that all content writers should also be good editors. So, each text should go through a thorough editing process before it is ready to be published. Normally, it would include several stages of proofreading. For instance, at first, one looks for easy-to-catch errors, grammatical mistakes, and typos. Next, you may search for inconsistencies, such as poor transitions, lack of evidence, poorly delivered ideas, etc. Finally, you can evaluate the general final look of the text, keeping it neat, attractive, and concise.
Bottom line
Not everyone is born a writer. However, everyone can become one. Being a content writer means understanding the basic rules of the job and following them religiously. It doesn’t matter if you used to order every essay at WritePaperForMe in school or if you aren’t so good with grammar. All these things will come with practice and dedication. Fortunately, there are clear rules in place to help you start.
