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Don't get lost
In the world of online writers and content creators, crafting our articles with an intention and understanding of our readers’ needs is crucial.
I’m still a baby writer on Medium, so I still have much to learn regarding the second part.
Here are the strategies I use with every story I share.
Before I even hit my keyboard, I put a purpose statement below my headline to remind me what my article is about.
Why?
Because when I’m clear on the goal, my writing is more direct, uses less fluff, and has a higher chance to stand out from the other articles.
If you want to do the same for your articles, here’s a list of goals you can aim to fulfill.
Offering a well-rounded perspective by analyzing a particular situation, event, or topic in depth.
Assisting readers in learning about a particular subject, skill, or concept.
Captivating readers with engaging narratives or humour to provide amusement.
Providing readers with new, valuable information or insights on a specific topic.
Uplifting readers by encouraging them to pursue their goals or overcome challenges.
Engaging readers with a story, either real or fictional, and allowing them to connect with the characters or events.
Delivering timely and factual reports on recent events or developments.
Encouraging readers to think and possibly engage in a discussion by sharing personal opinions or viewpoints on a topic.
Convincing readers to adopt a certain viewpoint or to take a specific action.
Offering solutions to a specific problem or challenge that readers might be facing.
Increasing the visibility and attractiveness of a product, service, or event to potential customers or attendees.
Allowing readers to see a topic from a different perspective or to relate to your experiences by sharing personal reflections.
Providing readers with data-backed insights by presenting the findings of a research study or investigation.
I usually write educational, informative, research-based, and problem-solving articles, with an occasional sprinkle of opinionated pieces.
Defining the purpose of your article is important because it should set the story’s structure, tone, and style. For example, my analytical stories use a different style than my opinionated stories.
It’s simple! When we know our audience, it’s easier to write for them.
I have a clear picture of who will be reading this article: writers.
Of course, a few ‘bouncers’ will leave in a few seconds without further interacting after clicking this story. That’s OK.
When I know who I’m writing for, I can create content that
Some people write headlines after they finish writing the story. I prefer to have the headline figured out before I begin to write it so that I can stay focused and avoid going off track.
In 2023, people are bombarded with content.
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, newsletters, and hundreds of notifications on our phones all cry for attention, our attention.
People easily ignore content if it doesn’t stand out.
Why does a piece of content (article, video, or newsletter) get clicks?
Because they all solve a need.
They have utility.
We need to provide content that our readers can’t just scroll through and ignore. We want them to want to read our articles and watch our videos.
After all, our readers are skimming through tons of titles, so we need to grab their attention in a split second. Content should clearly tell readers who it’s for and what it offers so they stop scrolling and start reading.
Key message: A successful online writing career starts with purposeful content, knowledge of your audience, and publishing useful material.