Not so long ago, UX Myths posted an article which demonstrates that people are not too fond of web content reading. In fact, they only read around 20% of all the articles and there’s no guarantee that they actually read everything.
So, it seems kind of unfair that you have to spend hours picking the right keywords, writing and polishing texts only to have readers simply scan through your article.
This, however, should not bother you. As long as you create worthy content and find your audience, you will have no trouble having people that will read your articles. Moreover, you will be able to easily sell this content and make money from it.
Sounds fantastic, don’t you think?
We can almost see you asking us how can you sell your writing for at least $100. And it’s a good thing because we do have an answer.
So, meet this complete guide to good web content writing.
Content is the king
The question of whether your content is read or only scanned through relies heavily on how good the content is. Of course, the style, lists, and visual aids are vital. But, unless your content is interesting and engaging, you will not draw your readers’ attention.
What makes for good content?
According to Kissmetrics, high-quality content is:
- original
- actionable
- accurate
- engaging
- though-provoking
- diverse
- easy to read
It might sound a bit overwhelming and you might be forced to spend long hours polishing and changing your text. Well, you don’t have to do that. All you need to do is spend some time learning how to create content that will grab readers’ attention.
Identify the audience
Each one of your articles needs to target the correct audience. It’s the secret of successful writing.
Once you start writing some general articles that talk about everything and at the same time about nothing in particular, you won’t be able to sell it.
People will only want to buy content that is likely to bring them traffic and, as a result, revenue. And for that, it has to speak to a specific audience on specific topics.
So, before you grab a pen or hit the keys, make sure to create a clear picture of who your audience is. Think of why they would be listening to you, what they expect to hear, what pain they have and what solutions you can offer.
Go over each one of these statements if you want to reach them with your message – and voila! – your content will easily be in demand!
Follow the latest trends
You wouldn’t want to be left behind. So, try your best to understand the latest trends these days. Know what people expect to see and what channels you can use to reach out to new people.
For instance, you need to remember that 34% of all online users only read their emails through mobile devices, states the Impact. The same applies to the blog posts on social networks.
Therefore, if you want more people to read your content, you need to optimize it for mobile devices. This means that paragraphs and sentences need to be shorter, the font should be bigger and the formatting eye-catching.
Moreover, keep in mind that more people read content via social media. Posts on Facebook should not be long, must have catchy headlines and contain many visual aids.
All in all, follow the latest trends for better results!
See Also: How To Avoid A Content Crisis When Your Deadline Is Looming
Use the right copywriting techniques
Another important thing when it comes to content writing is to use proper copywriting techniques that can bring your writing to a whole new level.
Among common methods every copywriter must know include:
- using keywords
- having one main idea per section
- adding lists and bullet points
- using sub-headings
- writing short paragraphs, sentences, and words
- inserting links to reliable sources
You will be surprised to see what results such an approach can bring! If you follow these recommendations, that 79% of users that do not read the whole article will be more likely to finish your whole piece. So, why not try it?
Find a good site to sell your articles
Thanks to the latest trends, more and more people are willing to work from home. Thus, new sites for freelancers emerge. All you need to do is to find the one that fits your expectations.
We have gathered a list of good sites where you can start your career as a freelancer.
Remember that it is good to have a good and persuasive portfolio at first so that when asked about your experience, you would be able to present good examples of your writing.
To create a portfolio, you might offer your articles to bloggers who can post them in the “Guest posts” section of their sites. You can also start your own blog on any topic you are good at or start writing good informative posts on your page on Facebook.
Good websites to check out
- CollegeHumor – It’s not hard to guess what this site is looking for from their writers. Should you have relevant content, don’t hesitate to offer it to them.
- Love To Know – It is a perfect resource for writers focusing on the financial topics, fashion, beauty, technology, and many other subjects.
- Freelance Writing Gigs – This site offers you a list of openings for writers you can check out as well as helpful tips for the beginners.
- iWriter.com – This site has fixed rates for the articles. The problem with this is that once your writing is rejected, you get no money.
- Upwork – This is a place where both freelancers and clients meet. You can find the job you will enjoy here in no time.
- Tuts+ – If you are an experienced writer, you can write for this website as well.
The list can go on and on. You absolutely have all the chances to enter the niche and make your first $100 in the nearest time. Just learn how to write well or polish your skills – and get paid for the amazing content you are crafting.