Creating great content isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort to publish material for your business that’s both engaging and effective. If you’re not in a position to outsource your content creation and are doing it all in-house, then you’ll need to put in the extra time to make sure your content is top-notch. The good news is that there are some tried-and-true methods for creating great content, whether you’re starting from scratch or improving existing material.
Define what “quality” content means for your business
Quality content matters because it helps your business stand out from the crowd. There are a lot of businesses out there, and if you want yours to be successful, you need to ensure your content is worthy of attention. Here are a few questions you should be asking regarding the quality of your content…
Is it original?
Your business is unique, so your content should be too. Boring, derivative content is not going to captivate your audience or help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). To really engage your readers, you need to give them something new and exciting to read. Something that they haven’t seen before. This doesn’t mean that you have to reinvent the wheel every time you sit down to write; just find a new angle or perspective on familiar topics.
Is it relevant?
Your content needs to be relevant to your business and the interests of your audience. No one wants to read irrelevant fluff pieces or clickbait headlines—they’re a waste of time and will only frustrate people. If you want them to keep coming back for more, make sure that you’re consistently delivering fresh, relevant content that speaks to their needs and interests.
Is it accurate?
Make sure that your facts are checked and double-checked before hitting “publish.” Inaccurate information not only reflects poorly on your business, but can also damage your credibility in the eyes of your readers. If they can’t trust you to get the facts right, they’re not going to want to do business with you.
Is it well-written?
Last but not least, your content needs to be well-written. That means no spelling errors, no grammatical mistakes, and no typos. It should be easy for your readers to understand and follow along with. If yourcontentisn’twell-written,peoplearegoingtostruggletoreaditandtheywon’t stick around for long. (see what I did there?!)
Establish a content calendar to keep track of your ideas and topics
What’s a content calendar? Well, a content calendar is simply a tool that helps you plan and organize your content in advance. This can be helpful for a number of different types of content, including blog posts, social media posts, marketing campaigns, product launches, and events. Having a content calendar will help you make sure that you are covering a variety of topics and not letting any balls drop.
There are a few different ways that you can go about setting up a content calendar. You can use a physical planner or notebook, or you can create a spreadsheet or document. You can also use one of the many online tools or apps that are available. The important thing is to find a system that works for you and that you will actually use!
Once you have your content calendar set up, start by brainstorming ideas for each type of content. If you’re stuck, try looking at popular hashtags on social media, industry news sites, or Google Trends. Once you have some ideas, start filling in your content calendar with specific topics and (if applicable) due dates. Make sure to leave some wiggle room in your schedule – things always come up! – but try to be as specific and detailed as possible.
Create a writing process that works for you, whether it’s outlining, freewriting, or editing as you go
- Establish a routine: Find a time and place where you can write uninterrupted, and make sure to set aside enough time each day to focus on your project.
- Start with an outline: Jot down the main points you want to cover, and then fill in the details as you go.
- Freewrite: Sometimes, it’s helpful just to start writing without worrying about structure or grammar. Just let the words flow, and don’t worry about what happens next.
- Edit as you go: This can be a great way to keep your momentum going and ensure that your writing stays on track.
Set some ground rules for yourself (or your team if you have others working for you) regarding quality, tone, and style
When it comes to content, quality is always better than quantity. It’s better to publish one high-quality piece of content than ten low-quality pieces. To ensure that your content is of the highest quality, set some ground rules for yourself (or your team) regarding what’s acceptable and what’s not. Here are some guidelines to help
Keep It Simple
When it comes to some content, such as website copy, less is definitely more. Keep your sentences and paragraphs short and to the point so that your readers can easily digest the information you’re providing. And don’t be afraid to use headings, lists, and other formatting elements to break up your text and make it easier to read.
Write In a conversational Tone
Your website’s content should sound like it was written by a real person–not a dull, corporate robot. So ditch the jargon and write in a tone that is both professional and approachable. Your goal should be to sound like a knowledgeable business owner who is also fun to chat with over coffee.
Use Visuals
People are visual creatures, so it’s no surprise that incorporating visuals into your content can help make it more engaging. In addition to using images, consider using infographics, videos, or even just bolded text or bullet points to break up your text and add some visual interest.
Be Consistent
Last but not least, it’s important to be consistent with your content – both in terms of style and substance. Make sure that the overall tone and voice of your business’ content are consistent across all of your channels (e.g., blog posts, social media updates, etc.) and that the information you’re providing is accurate and up-to-date. Nothing will lose readers faster than outdated or incorrect information!
Promote your content across social media and other channels
But once you’ve created that content, the job’s not over just yet. You need to consider the best ways to get your words out there. Here are four tips to help you distribute your content for maximum exposure.
Share your content on social media and other channels.
This one’s pretty obvious, but it bears repeating. Social media can help you reach a large audience with minimal effort. Make sure to share your content on all of your company’s social media channels, as well as any other channels you have at your disposal (email lists, website, etc.).
Use relevant hashtags to help potential followers find your content.
Hashtags are a great way to ensure that your content is seen by people who are interested in what you have to say. When using hashtags, be strategic and use ones that are relevant to your industry or niche. Additionally, don’t use too many hashtags; a few well-chosen ones will do the trick.
Repurpose your content into other formats (infographics, videos, etc.) to further increase its exposure.
Another great way to get more mileage out of your content is repurposing it into other formats. For instance, if you have a blog post about a new product launch, you could turn that into an infographic or video and post it on social media or your website. This helps ensure that people who prefer visual information (or who just skimmed your blog post) still get the main points of what you’re trying to say.
A well-executed content strategy takes organisation, time, and consistent effort so remember to pat yourself on the back and celebrate each victory along the way – whether that’s completing a draft… or hitting publish – as you progress on your content goals! And, of course, don’t forget my help is just an email away.
