The most important words written in any text are the first ones. Just think about how a good book can immediately reel you in with an impressive first line.
Take, for example, the opening lines of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” It’s a rather odd way to start a book but produces the desired effect nonetheless.
Now, while the first sentence of a book can hook the reader in, how can one do that with articles? How to entice the reader to firstly click on the article and then actually finish reading after they’ve clicked? Those are the questions we’ll attempt to answer in this article.
So, let’s start from the beginning – a perfect place to start.
1. Before the Click
Just as a great first sentence entices the reader to reader to finish a book, so will an apt title and meta description inspire the reader to go the full length. On average less than 20% of people read past the headline of an article, so you simply have to think of a way to keep their attention. But first, you have to get it.
Meta Descriptions
The meta description should contain no more than 260 words and must include essential information about the post at hand. It’s usually a good idea to stick to shorter sentences because readers are 36% more likely to read a few shorter ones than a single long one.
Only include relevant information to the topic, and keep it interesting by not using too many filler words, adjectives, or modifiers.
Titles
SEO strategies advise keeping them under ten words when it comes to titles. They must be easy to read and should not contain more than 2 elements. This means that you can use a semi-colon to separate two equally important parts of a title.
However, avoid multiple commas, enumeration, and personal pronouns – one ‘you’ in a title is quite alright, but two is pushing it.
In addition, according to statistics, titles beginning with a number usually do get the most clicks. Also, this is one of the many reasons listicles became so popular in the last few years.
So instead of titling your article “Ways to attract a new audience in 2022”, title it “10 ways to attract a new audience in 2022.” Aside from titles that contain a number, titles that directly address the reader, and titles that begin with the word how are effective.
2. Make It Worth Their Time
Never churn out recycled information or paraphrase the most popular thing you’ve found on the web. In all likelihood, these are things people have heard about before. Even if the topic you’re writing about has been done to death, try to add something new to it.
If you can’t then, we’d suggest skipping it altogether. While some repetitive content can initially get clicks, it usually doesn’t result in repeat visitors.
3. Learn How People Consume Content
As previously mentioned, it’s relatively rare that visitors read the whole article, but there is a nifty psychological trick you can use to engage your visitors and better your chances. A 2006 study has found that visitors consume content in an “F” shape pattern.
This, however, implies that people will read the first two sentences thoroughly before proceeding down in a straight line. So, take advantage of this psychological phenomenon by reserving the vital information for the first two lines and explaining it later.
In addition, make sure to split up your text into more minor subheadings that will draw in the reader’s eyes. Nobody wants to stare at a seemingly never-ending wall of text. It’s as simple as that.
4. Choose Your Topic Carefully
Writers tend to cover topics they find interesting, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, there needs to be a happy medium. Your visitors have to be interested in what you’re writing about as well. Market research and understanding your target audience are critical here.
You’ll know what to write if you know who you’re writing for. When readers are interested in the subject, they will read the entire thing. Sure, an engaging writing style does help, but information takes precedent in this context and the sheer amount of information online.
5. Alternate Long and Short Sentences
Alternating the length of your sentences will improve flow and make the text easier to read. This cannot be done 100% of the time, especially in texts dense with information.
Also, this can be a problem for writers (this one included) who wish to explain everything in great detail and link paragraphs together simultaneously. This can also lead to over-explaining when it isn’t required. So, try to pair each long sentence with a shorter one.
If you’re having trouble writing this way – worry not. Write an article as you normally would, and edit it down upon finishing. It’s a much easier way to get the hang of this technique.
6. Word Choice
The words you’ll be using are equally important as well. If you’re doing a beginner’s tutorial (much like this one), stick to a simpler vocabulary everyone can understand. Words like extrapolate and inexorably may sound appealing in your head.
Furthermore, keep in mind that many of your readers are, first and foremost, not from an English-speaking country and, second, are attempting to absorb information as quickly as possible. It takes a lot longer to remember something when uncommon words are involved.
This, however, is not an all-encompassing rule, and your style should be flexible depending on the publication you’re writing for.
7. Devices
The final tip we have for you today has nothing to do with writing in particular. It’s a more technical suggestion. Responsiveness is essential these days because approximately 85 percent of people do the majority of their browsing on their phones and, in some cases, tablets.
A responsive site is crucial for SEO, and you’re not keeping a visitor’s attention if they can’t even read what you’ve written.
Over to You
Attracting a consistent audience to your blog or website is becoming increasingly harder. In part due to the sheer number of competitors you’re facing and in part due to the public’s ever-increasing demand for better and faster content.
The tips we shared today should help make the step in the right direction, but building a website will, more than anything, take time and patience. Have any other tips or suggestions? Feel free to let us know in the comment section below.
