Increase your Content’s Engagement
The internet is overflowing with content, and standing out from the noise can be tough.
It’s no secret that great content is key to a successful online presence, but creating content that’s both engaging and original can be a real challenge.
At our agency, we specialize in generating content that will capture your reader’s attention and drive more traffic to your site.
So, if you’re ready to write highly engaging content that will gain traffic, improve your conversion rate, form positive opinions of your business, and build more credibility, then keep reading to discover these 10 proven strategies to increase your content engagement.
Strategy #1: Make a good first impression
The headline is the first and most crucial element of your content. If it doesn’t accurately reflect what the article is about or if it’s unappealing, then readers will likely move on to something else without giving your content a chance.
The truth is, 8 out of 10 people on average won’t make it past the headline. This is why the headline is the most important factor in determining how many people will read through until the end. It can make up to a 500% difference!
This means that you need to make a good first impression with an interesting and accurate headline that will entice readers to want to learn more.
So, how can you make a good first impression when writing a headline? Here are 5 tips:
- Make sure the headline accurately reflects the article’s content.
- Use strong verbs and adjectives in the headline.
- Keep the headline concise and easy to read.
- Put your best foot forward
- Use numbers like “10 proven ways to” or “5 reasons why”.
According to the Commitment and Consistency Bias, people tend to act in ways that are consistent with their past behavior.
So give your readers a small, bite-sized piece of your BEST WORK in your headline and first paragraph. Once they read that small piece, they’re more likely to act consistently as they keep reading.
Strategy #2: Stand out from the crowd – be a storyteller
To write engaging content, you must do more than simply jot down words onto a page. You must see yourself as a storyteller.
Your role as a storyteller is to decide the defining tone, feel, and character of your content. This will add a unique quality to your content that is un-replicable.
These details may seem small, but they are the foundations for strong communication, whatever your medium.
Using storytelling for your blog is about writing content from your own unique point of view and infusing your words with emotion and character. GrooveHQ found that when they opened their blog post with a story, almost 300% more people scrolled to the bottom, and the average time spent on the page increased by more than 5 times!
Strategy #3: Prove your points
Backing up your points with data lets your audience see for themselves that your advice has merit to it, which is a big part of engaging content.
Data not only strengthens your argument, but it gives readers the confidence to believe what you’re saying. After all, if you can back up your points with factual evidence, then it must be true, right?
This is why including data in your content is so important. When readers see that you know what you’re talking about, they’re more likely to trust you and your content.
For example, I said above that almost 300% more people read the whole post when it started with a story – an eye-catching, impressive number backs up my point a lot better than saying “stories are really good, trust me!”
Strategy #4: Build more connections by using a conversational tone
One of the best ways to build credibility and keep people engaged is by writing content that your audience flows effortlessly through. Here are some ways you can help your readers breeze through your content:
Understand WHO your audience is.
To cultivate a deeper connection with your audience, you must first understand your readers. It’s easy to get carried away in your area of expertise, but remember, your readers will appreciate your content more if it’s easy to understand.
Most individuals are not interested in having to work hard to decipher your intended meaning. So, unless you are targeting those in the same field, keeping it simple will help you form stronger connections with your audience. Naturally, people want information that is effortlessly understood.
It’s better to break things down and keep a conversational, easy breezy tone.
To increase content engagement, leverage customer psychology, and dig deep into who your audience is and what they want. According to the Cognitive Fluency Effect and further studies, content rings truer when it’s easier to process, moving your audience to be more confident in what you say.
Strategy #5: Be human – add emotion!
A good conversation encapsulates passion and character. Remember, you’re a storyteller, and it’s okay to show your audience that you’re human. In fact, it derives a much deeper connection and is a great practice to increase content engagement.
A good place to start:
People’s attention spans are shorter than ever before. So, delivering valuable information in a limited amount of time requires eye-catching phraseology.
Start by imagining that you’re explaining the concept to a friend. To do that, you would use everyday expressions, explain fancy terms, and maybe even throw in some metaphors to make it easier to understand.
Strategy #6: Solve your readers’ problems thoroughly
Be obvious! It seems straightforward, but one of the most important things to do is to actually answer your readers’ questions.
In our digital era, the internet is jammed with information that only adds to the noise. There are too many vague suggestions that are hard to act on. Make sure you’re providing actionable solutions. Your readers need tangible tips, specific examples, and thorough explanations.
Ask yourself the following questions when writing engaging content:
- What can your audience do with the information?
- Can they realistically follow these tips?
Be specific enough that your audience feels confident in their next steps and is set up for success.
Strategy #7: Give your content structure
Sorting information into sections is the next crucial step.
Breaking up your content makes it more approachable and less overwhelming. Your readers want to easily find what they’re searching for without having to dig through paragraphs of unnecessary information.
Answering the following questions will help you structure your content more effectively:
- What are the main points?
- What are the subpoints?
- How can I order my information in a way that makes sense?
- What sections need further explanation?
- Are there any gaps in my information?
By having a clear understanding of what you want to say, you can better engage your audience and ensure that your content is valuable and enjoyable to read.
Pro tip: Use a listicle structure:
According to psychology, our brains are attracted to categorizing things. This is why readers love a blog written in a listicle format – an article structured like a list.
This format is perfect for attention spans that tend to wander. Readers can quickly scan through and find the information they’re looking for without getting bogged down by walls of text.
When using this format, make sure your sections are concise and easy to understand. You want your readers to be able to quickly get the gist.
Strategy #8: Design a space that is free of noise and clutter
A big part of breaking up information to make it more digestible is by using white space. White space, or negative space, is exactly what it sounds like – when there’s nothing there.
Use white space to
- Draw attention to the content it surrounds.
- Make the text more readable and understandable.
- Make your blog look elegant and minimalistic.
Follow Hick’s Law
In order to write content that is easy to understand and engaging, it is important to follow Hick’s law. This law states that the more choices a person has, the harder it becomes to make a decision.
When you’re writing your content and designing your space, it’s important to limit the noise and keep it simple. This will help your readers to focus on your content without distraction. Minimize cognitive load to prevent your readers from becoming overwhelmed. It also means being wary of clutter and perplexing layouts.
Bottom line: Focus on making your design clear, organized, and understandable to increase content engagement.
Strategy 9#: Be intentional and use psychological tricks to your advantage
Believe it or not, colors and shapes greatly impact your users’ experience and impacts your content engagement.
Intentional colors:
Color psychology should not be overlooked when designing your blog or website. The colors you choose have a big impact on how viewers perceive your blog, product, or website. According to research, about 62 to 90 percent of people base their product assessment on colors alone.
Be intentional about the colors you use in your design. Each color has a meaning and subconsciously affects how people feel. For example, blue is often associated with trustworthiness and serenity.
On the other hand, red is often seen as aggressive and can be overwhelming. Use colors thoughtfully to create an experience that complements your content.
Intentional shapes:
The shapes used throughout your design(s) are also important.
Curved lines are often seen as gentle and welcoming, while sharp lines can be seen as harsh. Pay attention to the shapes you use and how they make your users feel.
Be intentional about the shapes you choose to create a design that matches the tone of your content.
In conclusion – psychological tricks like this help engage your audience. Writing engaging content doesn’t have to be difficult. By understanding some simple psychology, you can make your content more enjoyable and valuable for your readers.
Engaging content is also about creating a cohesive image for your brand – choose colors and shapes that represent the reputation you’re going for.
Strategy #10: Break up your text with visuals
65% of people are visual learners, which you’ll want to take advantage of!
Including visuals also allows you to tap into different parts of the brain – not just the language processing center.
More dopamine is released when we see something that’s visually stimulating. In this episode of Huberman Lab’s podcast, Dr. Emily Balcetis talks about how we trust our vision more than any other sense.
Therefore, it’s important to use visuals when crafting content to take advantage of the brain’s natural tendencies. Adding images, videos, and infographics can help break up your text and add another level of engagement.
But beware, not just any images will do – you want to add high-quality, relevant visuals that complement your writing.
Need a hand? Look no further.
If you’re looking for help in creating engaging content for your website or blog, look no further than DigiRev. Our team of expert writers can generate Search Engine Optimized content that will help you attract more traffic and increase your content engagement. Contact us today to learn more about our services!