Communication is a two-way activity and any writer who ignores any one of the ways and writes deliberately without knowing anything about the reader is a flop writer. If you don’t know who you are writing about or who your audience is, then it is like shooting an arrow without aiming. You need to conduct a study and market research on your audience, just like marketers do, by using a buyer’s persona and other methodologies.
Understanding the needs of your readers and being able to align your content in the same manner desired by your audience and readers is one of the most important factors and an amazing skill in being a good content writer. For example, you should not write a love letter to your boss and a memo to your wife. Does this make sense? Yes, because in this case you actually know who your audience will be – i.e. who will be receiving your piece of paper. The same is true with content writing
Knowing What You Actually Want to Say It is really easy for the writers when they know what they actually want to say. It makes for a clear-cut topic and subject. And, as a result, the writer ends up with good and interesting content. Once you know who your readers are, it is quite easy to decide what you are willing to say.
Following the Readability Principles Your content should speak to your reader in a manner that can be easily understood. This isn’t easy but is essential for being a successful writer.
Always Being Original Being unique is the essence of being original, especially when it applies to content. Being unique is a mandatory quality, not just because of reader demand.
Providing Answers to the Questions Asking questions throughout your content and providing your readers with the immediate and proper answers is a great way to keep your reader engaged with your content.
The ultimate purpose of content is to increase the knowledge of those who are reading it. And just so you’re aware as a reader, I met that purpose with this content by using the first several paragraphs of the introduction. That is the main reason you, as a reader, are still here and continuing to read. Those are the types of questions people have running through their minds. In the image below, famous author and entrepreneur, Neil Patel, has answered a frequently-asked but very broad question about what online marketing is. Then he answered it with just a few words that are accurate and on point.
Connecting the Dots Again, one of the most tactical skills a good content writer should have is knowing how to connect the dots – i.e. actually inter-related topics and paragraphs within the content.
Summarizing Words The ability to sum up an idea, like an ocean in a cup, is the art of content writing. You need to remain precise with your wording throughout your content and then clearly conclude your content with the right words in every section and paragraph. Not doing so is very serious. You simply need to learn how to summarize content, which includes an overview of the main ideas using keywords and themes.
Sourcing Information and Citations Readers will only believe what your content says so long as you provide them with correct and accurate information. You must be brave enough to link your content with its original sources and to mention them wherever required.
Being Patient with Research Skills This is the decision-making point – if you have patience and excellent research and analytical skills, you’re your chances of becoming a successful content writer are higher. In content writing, the research element is very important.
It doesn’t matter whether we’re referring to keyword research, topic research, niche research or any other type of research, you simply need to remain patient without getting overactive, because doing research on the web is not an easy task and can sometimes become depressing and frustrating.
Reviewing Your Content as a Reader Would Once you have completed your content, you need to step back, take a breath and review your content without bias. Approaching your content like a first-time reader is very difficult, so it takes some practice.
Swapping Writing Styles Always writing on the same topic and in the same niche is not good for your health. It can also kill your creative skills. A potentially-successful writer must switch the writing genres and niches to different topics to enhance their ability to think outside the box, as well as to increase their knowledge. Practice writing on 360-degree opposite topics to gain these skills!
