In today’s age of digital marketing, online advertising, and keyword analytics, it is vitally important to stay on top of your competition by writing killer content. This is essential whether or not you are your own content writer or have a staff of website copywriters on your payroll. Regardless of how beautifully designed your website is, if your content is poorly written or has no structure to guide your readers, then all of your efforts have been in vain. The key is to not only survive in your business but to thrive! And how do you do that? By slaying your competition with captivating, killer content created using the pointers below.

Bait Readers With Catchy Headlines

Regardless of how well written and inspiring your content may be, who will ever read it if you don’t gain people’s interest? In an endless sea of information, it is imperative you stand out. The best way to do this, of course, is with your headline. Producing great and compelling headlines will make or break you as a content writer. Use your headline as the bait to hook your prospects into wanting more. There are several resources and even formulas to help you write impactful titles. Consider the following tips:

• Keep it short, concise, and to the point
• Include attention-grabbing adjectives (i.e motivating, sensational, amazing, exciting)
• Use numbers (i.e. top 5, 10 ways, 3 best)
• Insert power verbs (i.e. look, hurry, save)
• Arouse curiosity (i.e. intrigue, attract, fascinate)
• Use graphics, lists and calls to action
• Stay on top of the latest  SEO Trends
• Use what, why, how, or when

Headlines tend to fail if they don’t align with the site content or aren’t relevant to a specific theme. Give a compelling reason why your readers should click, read and share your content. Regardless of the subject of your content, a powerful and catchy headline is key to increasing your website traffic.

Hook Your Readers With Killer Content

Now that you’ve baited people to read your headline, it’s time to hook them on the line with killer content. First, write a short, compelling introductory sentence making sure to include the word “you.” Start by including the most important details first. The next few sentences should include the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Use active tense and focus on human interest. Discuss what’s new and different and avoid industry jargon.

Whatever industry you work in or what website page you write for, the majority of the content on your website should address the primary questions potential customers may ask. Your website content should succinctly identify to potential customers the information they see. In addition, you should clearly communicate keyword information to search engines like Google. This way you can use your business website to attract people searching for your type of products and services.

Use keywords relevant to your industry, product, service, and location. This is crucial for showing up on Google as well as other search engine results pages. However, use common sense when putting keywords in your website. Keywords not only help search engines identify your content, but also categorize your web pages for indexing. If your pages are stuffed with keywords that make your content sound like a robot, you are likely going to lose visitors fast.

Go Against the Tide

Don’t make the mistake of going with the flow. You can either be a fish swimming in a school, looking identical to your peers or you can be a lone killer shark. In other words, behave contrary to the majority. Don’t focus your SEO content on trending topics that are here today and gone tomorrow. Your content writer should use their skills to communicate about topics that are fresh and underexposed. People are much more likely to read your website content if it stimulates their curiosity. 

Make it Personal

Of course, you want to attract a large array of readers, but the only way to do so is to make each one feel a personal connection to how your website content applies to them. Before you can create this unique content, you first need to identify and understand your target audience. You certainly don’t want to write a column about surfing to people who live nowhere close to the beach. Knowing how your customers think and identifying their primary issues and challenges will allow you to bring relevancy into their lives.          

Refer to readers frequently with the word “you” to invoke the feeling it was written especially for them. Keep them engaged by writing as if you are talking to a close friend. Provide a solution to a problem they are having. You need to know what they need and how to provide for that need. Also, never underestimate the power of inspiring an emotional response from your readers. In addition, critique the article from your customer’s point of view. Ask yourself if you would feel inspired, compelled and motivated into action.

Are you looking for a service to create killer content for your site? We offer a variety of services customized to your individual needs. Contact us today and let us help you slay your competition.