Let’s start from the top. One of the most important aspects of an article gaining a significant reach is a strong headline which is attractive. A good headline sparks interests and invites readers in to consume the content. It is said that over 80% of people will read your headline but only 20% of those will click through to read the rest of your content. That is a spectacular figure. One way to create a catchy headline is through the use of trigger words – used to spark a thought or instant reaction these provide the perfect way to attract your target audience. It is stated that a perfect formula for creating the ideal headline is the following – Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword (what your article is about) + Promise. A promise within a headline is what are you providing the audience with and what are they going to gain from reading your article? Are they going to discover a new skill or learn something valuable?
The content within should have one main aim to be thought-provoking and engaging. You want your readers and followers to gain something from your posts. Just like the headline, it’s important you have an attractive introduction and show readers why they need to continue to learn from the discussion within. People are quick to judge. If the first few lines are not creative, the likelihood, as a result, is that readers will not continue or share your work.
In the new digital age, one of the best ways to communicate with followers is through adding images and videos. Visual aids provide for better learning tools, whether this is achieved through visual or hearing, these help companies and writers portray their points to their audience.
An important aspect when implementing videos and images into content is the need for these to add value, there is no point attaching an image for the sake of it. You need to make sure it’s attractive for the audience and helps with the flow of the article. One of the best ways to help readers learn visually is through attaching infographics. Not only are these a source of learning – the range of designs allows companies and individuals to put their creative spark on their work in a new and different way. With infographics, you have the ability to set out key facts – ones which you would like to shout about. These can be the platform for your content.
One of the best ways to get coverage is asking influential people for quotes – often once these have been included these individuals will also share the content with their followers. Having quotes from industry leaders not only allows these to share their wisdom within, they can often lead on to a spectacular story that helps illustrate your point in a way which without it would have been unfeasible.
Lastly, without sharing your content on distribution platforms it is difficult for your work to get the awareness it deserves. There is a range of ways to promote. The most obvious is through Social Media. Facebook and LinkedIn have specific sections to write and publish articles. Sharing on Twitter helps your audience republish content giving you a substantial amount of potential impressions. As well as social media, why not try publishing platforms such as Flipboard or Outbrain which allow users to drive traffic and create an external network of other contacts which down the line may be able to contribute to an article.
