Did you know that 88% of people skim online articles? And that if they don't find what they need in the first few paragraphs, then they won't bother reading any further.
We all want our marketing copy to engage and inspire people, but it's hard to know where to start. This blog post includes 10 powerful writing tips for marketers, and copywriters to ensure that content is engaging and interesting from the start.
1: Use short sentences and paragraphs
The use of short sentences and paragraphs is a common technique used to make copywriting and marketing content more engaging. Some people believe that long-winded sentences are more sophisticated, but in reality they can be quite tiring to read. Short sentences allow the reader to quickly grasp the meaning of the text, and it is easier to follow the flow of ideas. Short paragraphs are also a good way to keep readers engaged in your content. Longer paragraphs can be difficult for some people to read, especially when they are on their phone or tablet. Short paragraphs allow you to break up long blocks of text and make the content more readable. Use short sentences and paragraphs to keep your readers engaged in your copywriting or marketing content.
2: Keep it simple and easy to understand
The first step to writing simple and easy content is to break down your ideas into the simplest language possible. It's best to start from a place of understanding, so think about what you want people to do or how you want them to feel after reading your content. You can also simplify complex concepts by using analogies or metaphors to help people understand. The benefits of writing in easy language for a marketing audience are that it's easier to read, more persuasive, and will resonate better with your target market. It also makes it easier for readers who don't have much time on their hands to get the information they need quickly.
3: Avoid passive voice and use active voice instead
Active voice is a way of writing that makes the subject of the sentence the person or thing doing the action. It sounds more natural to people and easier to understand, so it is often considered better for marketers and copywriters in marketing content. One benefit of using active voice is that it makes the subject of the sentence clear.
4: Eliminate "I" and "we" from your writing as much as possible and replace them with "you "
In marketing content, you should try to avoid using "I" and "we". The goal is to create a sense of immediacy and connection with the reader. When writing in first person, it can feel as if the writer is speaking directly to the reader, which can create a sense of immediacy. When writing in first person, it can also feel as if the reader is being given advice from someone they know well and trust, which creates a sense of connection. Third person writing avoids these pitfalls by creating an objective and impartial view. Third person writing also avoids the pitfalls of first person by creating a sense that the writer is an expert or authority on the subject matter, which can create a sense of connection with the reader.
5: Use bullet points to make your content easier to read and digest
Writing with bullet points can help you write faster and lets readers organize your content. This way, if a point doesn't apply to them, they can just skip ahead to the next one. They also give an easy way for people skimming content to pick up on key points and takeaways.
6: Keep it short, but not too short
Short, engaging content is hard to ignore. So, it is important to know that if someone is checking out your company's website and you have a lot of long content-- they will most likely get distracted and leave the site without checking anything else . If you are looking to market your business with short, engaging content, here are some tips for what you can do:
-Use bullet points or lists for easier reading. You can also use images to help break up the text.
-Include a call to action at the end of your content so people know what they should do next.
-Use a lot of white space and make sure you have enough spacing between paragraphs for easy reading.
-Use a lot of headings to break up the text and make it more interesting.
-Include links to other content on your website so people have something else they can read if they want to learn more about what you offer.
7: Don't use jargon or acronyms unless you're sure the reader will understand
The term "all marketing collateral" is jargon that probably won't make sense to most people. Jargon also has the potential to communicate complexity where none exists. Further, acronyms are too common in business communication to be used without explanation. Jargon and acronyms are also often the source of communication breakdowns, because readers may not understand them. Don't use jargon or acronyms unless you're sure the reader will understand .
8: Use of correct tense when possible to make your content more interesting and engaging
This section will cover correct use of grammar and verb tense while writing marketing content. When marketing content is written in the present tense, it sounds like it is happening right now. This provides a sense of urgency and is more engaging than the past tense. The use of correct grammar or verb tense can help to make your content more interesting and engaging.
9: Avoid using too many adjectives, adverbs, or exclamation points in your text
In writing marketing content, it is important to avoid using too many adjectives or adverbs, they can often be distracting and take away from the message you're trying to get across. When reading a sentence with too many of these words, the reader will loose interest and may even stop reading. Too many adjectives or adverbs will not help the reader understand what you are trying to convey in your text, so it is important to avoid using them when writing marketing content.
10: Include a call to action
At the end of your article, there is typically a point for readers to take action. For example you can ask someone to sign up for an email newsletter or follow on Facebook or Twitter. Another way to ask for action is to suggest other content that the reader might find interesting.
Conclusion
Effective marketing content has the power to trigger the right conversation with your audience. With that being said, it is important to have a publishing size that will have the largest impact on the audience. One way to increase the likelihood of your content being read is by using power words that are easy to understand. The best marketing content should be clear, concise and persuasive in order to encourage readers to take action.