When you’re given a content writing assignment, your main goal might be to gather as much information on the relevant topic as possible before weaving that information into a cohesive piece. But it’s also important to first identify who exactly it is you’re writing to. Knowing your audience and writing content for their needs is one of many ways to maximize the effectiveness of your work. How exactly does one go about doing this? Read on for a few tips on how to tailor your writing for your reader.
Ask Yourself: Why am I Writing the Content?
The reason you’re writing a piece plays a huge part in deciding how you write it. Are you acting as an authority on the topic? It’s likely you’ll want to keep your tone on the formal side. Avoiding emotional language of any sort is a good choice, too. Is your copy meant to sell something? Make sure to sound casual, friendly and accommodating, but also integrate calls-to-action throughout the piece. Additionally, this might be a good opportunity to play on your audience’s emotions.
Tailor the Content for a Generalized Online Audience
One way to make sure you get your point across is to write for a generalized audience. This is usually the best solution if you’re not given strict instructions that would indicate otherwise. If, however, your expected audience is composed of other experts on the topic at hand, feel free to use more complex vocabulary and, if necessary, longer sentences. Regardless, try not to overdo it for the sake of sounding intelligent.
Simplicity is especially important to keep in mind for content writers who are blogging about a complex topic for the general public. For example, certain medical topics are always of concern to some portion of the masses. And when these individuals seek out information on such a topic, they may not have the level of expertise needed to decipher complex medical terminology. Take note of this fact and try to strike a balance between accessibility and information.
Research Diligently, Then Research Some More
While you research the topic at hand, make sure to take stock of all the writing that has already been done. What do the Google search results say? What level of vocabulary is being used? How complex is the sentence structure? As long as you make certain that your sources are reliable, working these observations into your writing is an easy way to make your piece a hit.
Go Easy On The Jargon
When you’re researching for and writing about something especially specific, jargon tends to seep into your mind as you gather knowledge on the topic. Sometimes, this will show in your copy. Depending on the situation, this might be acceptable – for example, if you’re writing for a hobby website – but for the most part, you’ll want to minimize your use of words that are specific to the topic you’re covering. If you do find an uncommon term necessary, make sure to clearly explain what it means.
Think About the Structure of the Copy
Sometimes, your audience will revel in large chunks of text. Other times, they’ll skip large paragraphs all together. In fact, a recent study by Chartbeat suggests that the average Web user spends fewer than 15 seconds engaged by a page’s content before leaving, which is simply not enough time to read a lengthier article.
To promote engagement in your sales blogs and business blogs, consider using bulleted lists or other similar forms of organization to help make the information you’re providing easier to digest.
When it Comes to Content Writing, Practice Makes Perfect
Once you get used to adjusting your tone to suit the situation, your content writing should naturally become more effective. Get started by keeping these content development tips in mind.
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About Virtucom Group
Consistent business blogging yields results – more clicks, more subscribers and – ultimately – more conversions. Whether you’re writing an automotive blog, an accounting blog, a healthcare blog or a home renovation blog, blogging for business and content development are useful for any industry. Follow the content writers at the Virtucom Group blog as they share digital marketing tips and discuss website content writing services that can optimize your business blog.
