Last week, we talked about how to get a content calendar up and running. However, as useful as a content calendar is, it won’t make a difference if the content you produce isn’t top quality. And by top quality, we mean readable. Today, we’ll focus on three writing tips to create more readable text.
Remember that content isn’t there to look pretty – instead, its aim is to provide information that people read and enjoy! Even though it might seem simple to create readable text, it can very quickly become a challenge.
1. Read your writing aloud.
The best writing is easy to read aloud. This means that when you’re almost through with all those edits, read the whole piece aloud once more.
If you find yourself stuttering, missing a word, or simply can’t pronounce something, mark that spot and find a new way to word what you want to say. Then, read it again. If you’re able to get through it easily, you’re all set! If not, tweak the wording some more.
With some practice, switching words around will become easier and you’ll discover the types of structures that are confusing.
2. Specific titles are your friend.
Let’s say you have two articles.
One is, How to create a better social media profile picture.
The other is, 3 Steps to Creating a Better Social Media Profile Picture.
Which one will you click?
Probably the 3 Steps one! The material in the article could be exactly the same, but when you have 3 Steps, the reader’s brain realizes that it’s not going to have to do any sorting.
We are naturally drawn to titles with numbers in them. The article promises that it’s already organized, which means that it will be easy to read and learn from. It’s specific enough to give the reader a clear idea of what’s ahead.
3. Use Headings (like this one!) in all your posts.
Headings are an easy way to keep someone’s attention strong. They show the reader the organization of the page and point them to the areas most helpful to them if they don’t read the entire article. Headings force your writing to be super specific and rigorously on-topic at all times, which means that in addition to helping your reader stay focused, they are a great way to make sure that you’re writing about the right topic, in the right place.
© Joshua Brown 2019, all rights reserved
