Introduction
As someone who writes for the web, you know that there are certain challenges that come with the territory. You have to be able to capture your audience's attention quickly, since they're likely skimming rather than reading every word. You also have to be concise and clear, since web readers have short attention spans. And of course, you need to make sure your article is optimized for search engines so people can actually find it!
Fortunately, there are a few tried and true writing techniques that can help you succeed in the online setting. In this blog post, we'll share 7 of our favorite tips and tricks for online writing success. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to writing articles that people will actually want to read!
The importance of using strong headlines and subheadings
Did you know that eight out of ten people will read your headlines, but only two out of ten will read the rest of your article? This means that if your headline isn't strong, you're likely losing 80% of your potential readers!
This is why it's so important to spend time crafting headlines that accurately reflect the content of your article and are catchy enough to make people want to click. Once you've got a great headline, be sure to include subheadings throughout your article to help break up the text and keep readers engaged.
With a strong headline and subheadings, you can be sure that more people will stick around to read your content, which is ultimately what you want.
Here are a few tips for creating headlines and subheadings that pack a punch:
1. Make sure your headline accurately reflects the content of your article.
2. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
3. Use strong keywords to help improve your SEO.
4. Use numbers or lists to make your headline more attention-grabbing.
5. Try to create a sense of urgency with your headline.
6. For subheadings, use clear and concise language that sums up what each section is about.
Writing in a clear and concise manner
People who read on the web are looking for quick and easy answers to their questions, which means your articles need to be clear and concise. This can be a challenge, since it's often tempting to want to include everything you know on a certain topic!
Some tips for writing in a clear and concise manner include:
1. Start by brainstorming a list of the main points you want to make.
2. Organize your thoughts into an outline before you start writing.
3. Stick to one main point per paragraph.
4. Use short, simple sentences rather than long, complicated ones.
5. Choose your words carefully - try to use active voice and avoid jargon.
6. Edit your article ruthlessly, cutting out any unnecessary words or sentences.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your writing is clear and concise - something that will be appreciated by readers on the web.
Breaking up your text with lists and images
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to read an article that's broken up into smaller chunks, rather than one big block of text? This is because our brains are designed to process information more effectively when it's presented in smaller bits.
That's why it's important to break up your text when you're writing for the web. You can do this by using lists, images, infographics, or even videos - anything that will help break up the monotony of a long article. Just be sure not to go overboard - too many visuals can actually be distracting!
Some tips for breaking up your text:
1. Use short paragraphs (no more than 3-4 sentences each).
2. Use subheadings to help readers find the information they're looking for quickly.
3. Use lists, bullet points, and other visual devices to make your text easier to scan.
4. Include images, infographics, or videos to visually engage readers.
5. Use short paragraphs (no more than 3-4 sentences each).
Creating catchy and attention-grabbing titles
Did you know that people will make a split-second decision about whether or not to read your article based on its title? This means that if your title isn't catchy or attention-grabbing, you're likely losing a lot of potential readers.
For this reason, it's important to spend some time crafting a great title for your article. A good title should accurately reflect the content of your article and be short, sweet, and to the point. It should also include keywords that will help improve your SEO.
Here are a few tips for creating catchy and attention-grabbing titles:
1. Use numbers or lists
People love lists! Titles that include numbers (e.g., "5 Tips for...") or bullet points (e.g., "3 Reasons Why...) tend to be more eye-catching and easy to read than those without them.
2. Be specific
Vague titles are often unappealing to readers. Be as specific as possible in your title so that people know exactly what they're going to get when they click through to your article.
3. Use powerful words
Powerful words like "amazing," "incredible," and "unbelievable" can help make your title more enticing. Just be careful not to overdo it – too many exclamation points will make you look desperate!
4. Keep it short and sweet
Long, rambling titles are off-putting to readers. Stick to the point and keep your title short, sweet, and punchy.
5. Use keyword-rich phrases
Include relevant keywords in your title to help improve your SEO. But beware of "keyword stuffing" – too many keywords will make your title seem spammy and could get you penalized by Google.
By following these tips, you can create catchy and attention-grabbing titles that will entice people to click through and read your articles.
Using keyword-rich phrases throughout your article
Every time you write an article, you want people to actually read it – which means you need to make sure it's easy for them to find. One of the best ways to do this is by using keyword-rich phrases throughout your article.
What are keyword-rich phrases? They're simply phrases that include relevant keywords for your topic. For example, if you're writing about tips for saving money, a keyword-rich phrase might be "ways to save money on groceries."
Including keyword-rich phrases throughout your article will help it rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it more likely for people to find it. Just be careful not to overdo it – too many keywords will make your article sound unnatural and could get you penalized by Google.
A few other places where you can include keyword-rich phrases for maximum impact are:
• The title of your article
• In the first sentence
• In headings and subheadings
• Throughout the body of your article
• In the conclusion
• In the meta description
If you're not sure what keywords to target, try using a tool like Google AdWords Keyword Planner or SEMrush.
Optimizing your article for search engines
Once you've written a great article, the next step is to make sure people can actually find it! One of the best ways to do this is by optimizing your article for search engines.
There are a few different ways to optimize your article for SEO:
1. Use keyword-rich phrases throughout your article.
2. Optimize your title and meta description for SEO purposes.
3. Include relevant keywords in your title and tags.
4. Promote your article through social media.
5. Include links to other articles on your website.
6. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
7. Use Google Analytics to track your traffic.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your article is more likely to show up in search engine results pages (SERPs), which will ultimately lead to more traffic and readers for your website or blog.
Promoting your article through social media
If you want people to actually read your article, you need to promote it! One of the best ways to do this is through social media.
When promoting your article on social media, be sure to:
1. Choose the right platform.
Not all social media platforms are created equal. Some platforms, like LinkedIn and Twitter, tend to be more business-focused, while others, like Facebook and Instagram, are more casual. Figure out which platforms your target audience is using and focus your efforts there.
2. Create attractive visuals.
People are more likely to engage with an article that includes visuals, so be sure to include an image or graphic with your social media posts. Canva is a great free tool that you can use to create professional-looking visuals for your articles.
3. Use relevant hashtags.
Hashtags can help improve the visibility of your social media posts and make them more likely to be seen by people who aren't already following you. Just be sure not to use too many – a few well-chosen hashtags will do the trick!
4. Use a call-to-action.
Tell your readers what you want them to do after they've read your article (e.g., "Like" if you found this helpful, share with your friends if you think they'll enjoy it, etc.). A strong call-to-action will help encourage people to take action after reading your article.
5. Monitor your results.
Keep an eye on your social media analytics to see how well your articles are performing. This will help you determine which strategies are working and which ones need to be tweaked.
Conclusion
Even if you're already a good writer, writing for the web can be a challenge. But by following these tips and tricks, you can be sure that your articles will stand out from the crowd and actually be read by people on the web.
