“What makes me an expert? What makes this blog worth reading for you, a member of the target market?”
These are questions that every individual who’s frantically pecking away at a keyboard should ask themselves before hitting that “post” button.
Anyone who knows how to put credentials into a WordPress account can blog and call themselves a professional in the content marketing industry. Just like anyone can pick up a microphone, rent a sound booth, and call themselves a world class singer/songwriter. Setting yourself apart in an industry that’s saturated with content and regurgitated materials requires a mixture of experience, education, and the ability to truly connect with readers in a way that keeps them on the edge of their seats until the Very. Last. Word.
Professional dedication is an exercise in learning new things and analyzing the response to your posts and website copy. As a rule of thumb: If you’re bored writing it, then your audience will be bored reading it.
Content that’s Not Engaging Lacks Value
Be honest about your professional capabilities. A master electrician or a leader in the world of executive business may not find their forte in writing and developing online content. Most professionals work hard to hone their craft and to create a product that is of value to others. When the content promoting these products is poorly written, drab, or not engaging, there’s a communication breakdown. This acts as a roadblock between business owners and their target audiences and hurts the profit potential for even the best products.
Improving Your Content Quality
If you’re bound and determined to try your hand at content creation, there are a few things you can do to keep it fresh and, well, not boring:
- Know Your Competition: There’s enough analytical data floating around the internet to compare and contrast the leading industry brands. Check out popular blogs, look at the tone, and explore the personality that sets them apart.
- Embrace Your Personality: Far too many articles, blog posts, and social content is written with a stiff and monotonous tone. Writing a college essay may require that you don’t use contractions, soak the body in dictionary-worthy words, and try to pass off arrogance as expertise. Yes, there are times when this is appropriate. But, when connecting to a more diverse market—speak their language.
- Make It Interesting, Early: When your first two lines would make your college English professor proud, you’ve probably already lost 90 percent of your audience. Ask questions, use colorful lingo, and paint a picture that’s interactive.
Content can be hit or miss, and when it looks like a cookie cutter version of what everyone else is using, then it’s more miss than hit. If you’re still struggling with the blogging doldrums and your copy induces reader coma, it may be time to get professional help.
MintCopy has a talented team of copywriters that can take your brand and wake it up! We understand the concept of personality in written communication. Give us the opportunity to transform flat content and give it the dimension it needs to outshine the competition.
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