If you own a website or blog, you probably already know that the bulk of your visitors have the attention span of a gnat. Unfortunately that’s just the way it is. So if you are creating content, and you want them to stick around and read some of it, it’s got to be engaging. So here are 21 easy ways you can spruce up your content and make it more engaging and interesting to your readers.
1. Use a killer headline.
2. Use simple lingo.
3. Make it fun.
4. Make it relevant and on-topic… don’t wander all over town!
5. Make it useful… eg. they can take that information and apply it in someway right after reading it.
6. Tell a story. People love stories.
7. Know your audience and write directly to them. Even better, make up your ideal reader and just write to them specifically!
8. Keep it short. Long-winded is boring. People don’t like boring. People leave when you get boring. Moral of the story? Don’t be boring!
9. Use incentives. Things like contests and prizes are great for keeping your visitors attention… people love free stuff.
10. Create your ‘writer’ alter-ego. Inject a distinct ‘personality’ into your writing and stay true to it.
11. Use video.
12. Use audio.
13. Use both! Some people just hate to read. Make it easy for them to stick around and learn something, and they will.
14. Keep it clean. Unless slang and cursing applies to your audience of course. But in general… clean is good!
15. Don’t be pushy. If you’re trying to sell something with your content, be subtle. Hit their emotional triggers, but don’t make it seem like a pitch.
16. Break it up. Your paragraphs I mean. If it hurts YOUR eyes to read it, think about how Aunt Jane or Grandma Lucy will feel trying to read it.
17. Use bullets.
18. Underline cool stuff. Or just underline stuff ‘cuz it’s cool. Whichever floats your boat.
19. Use pictures.
20. Use text boxes and other cool visual stuff that draws a reader further down the page.
21. Bold your titles and subtitles. And other stuff you want to draw attention to.
OK, there you have it. 21 ways you can make your web content more engaging to your visitors. See something I missed? Have additional ideas? Please leave them in the comment box below, I’d love to hear them.
And don’t forget, if you like this post be sure to share with your friends via the links below and subscribe to my RSS feed to get all posts delivered straight to your email or feed reader!
Warm regards,
Cori Padgett AKA k0zm0zs0ul
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RT @k0zm0zs0ul: New blog post: 21 Ways to Create Engaging Web Content http://bit.ly/bXfvNs
RT @k0zm0zs0ul: New blog post: 21 Ways to Create Engaging Web Content http://bit.ly/bXfvNs
RT @k0zm0zs0ul: 21 Ways to Create Engaging Web Content: If you own a website or blog, you probably already know that the bulk of y… http://bit.ly/a9LaHb
21 Ways to Create Engaging Web Content >> http://ping.fm/8Zbgf Good Stuff!
RT @k0zm0zs0ul 21 Ways To Create Engaging Content http://tinyurl.com/yh8uwwp Drop your own tips in the comment box!
Agree with you Cori, the point is when you help people solve their problems with your articles, surely their will keep coming back.
Thank for the informative article.
You're very welcome, so glad you enjoyed the article!
“See something I missed?” That could be your #22. People love to put their two bits worth in. But then 22 sounds less appealing than the magical 21. So maybe it goes into #9. (See! there's my two bits already.) This list has to be a vital starter block for any aspiring writer. Thanks Cori.
Hi Cori,
Thanks for the post.
Here are my two favorites from your list:
“6. Tell a story. People love stories.”
“11. Use video.”
At least in the personal development area (which is the focus of my blog), I’ve noticed a difference between content where a story is told and where one is not. Even if the points are similar, stories seem to really enhance the post.
And I enjoy posting video blogs from time to time. I like when other people do this, too. It gives me a chance to get to know the blogger better. I have found that as a reader I not only like to connect with the writing, but I also like to connect with the writer.
.-= Greg Blencoe´s last blog ..10 must-read posts from some of my blogging friends =-.
Hey Greg! We’re agreed, stories rock for drawing people in and making an impact. I’ve not yet gotten brave enough for videos on my blog, I tend to stumble a bit when put on the spot, LOL but I do understand their power.
Point about cursing: Has anyone ever tried it? I don’t think people in general should mind it too much right? If that was the case, Quentin Tarantino would not have been a success. And then we all love the American Bestsellers, which of course are always full of curses.
In personal lives, we all curse (ok I am just talking about myself and my circle here) but when we start writing, we tend to avoid doing that. Isn’t that kinda hypocritical?
Thoughts?
Siddharth Goyal´s last [type] ..Do you posses the qualities to become an entrepreneur
Lol.. I agree.. if you say it, write it!
But some folks tend to err on the side of caution when writing. Is it hypocritical? Sure, it is to me. But does it change anything? Not really. I go by the time and place rule, and whether or not I’d say it in company. It’s a good rule for me. For others, they prefer to don a “persona” and that “persona” just so happens to use clean rather than foul language. I say whatever you feel comfy with saying, say it. The end. 
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Often times, readers don’t like articles that are too lengthy and those that contain a lot of white blank spaces. The articles should be easy to skim through. Use of subheads and numbers is a good idea. Paragraphs should be as short as possible.
All good tips!
This is a useful list Cori. I really enjoyed reading your it. Thank you so much for the useful tips about how to make visitors stay and read your content.
You’re welcome Lisa!
Having a killer headline really works. It should be an eye catcher so that users will click on your link. If that happens and if you article has useful information, most probably they would bookmark your page and keep on coming back to your site which will generate tons of traffic.
Steve@Electric Cig´s last [type] ..Vapor King Electric Cigarette
Exactly so Steve.