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Conduct Unbecoming a Dull Writer: How to Write for Traffic

Last Updated on January 11, 2019

Table of Contents:

Previous: Part 1: How to Add Personality to your writing

Next: Part 3: Practical Ways to Become a Better Writer

Objective 2: Add Value/Solution

If you think people come to your blog for information, you are dead wrong.

They come to you for solutions.

Even if the topic of your post is as straightforward as answering “What Is SEO?” question.

When someone googles “What is SEO?”, they most likely need to learn more than just a definition.

They also want to know “What now?”

  • How does it affect my business?
  • How do I implement it?
  • Where do I start?

All those questions were answered in my post.

And that’s what made it a success.

Objective 3: Make It Easier to Read

One of the simplest things you can do to make your posts more readable is to use better formatting.

Is the font too small?

Are your sentences and paragraphs too long?

If the posts LOOK like they are too much work to read, then people don’t read them – whether they provide value or not.

Simple steps I used to improved the readability of my posts:

  • Bigger font.

Make sure it’s at least 12; better yet, 14 or 16.

I use 16 at Traffic Generation Cafe.

  • Heading tags.

These are headings and subheadings you use in your posts, sidebars, etc.

They help you to break down your content into more readable pieces of information.

Most of these headings are hard-coded in your theme.

I use Thesis theme at TGC and it provides a very good heading structure out of the box.

If yours doesn’t, you can always see if you can change it OR hire someone who knows how to change it.

What it should be for your home page – ideally:

  • H1: Blog’s name (with your main keywords for the blog)
  • H2: Your blog’s tagline
  • H3: Your recent posts
  • H4: related content in the sidebar, like the heading of an “about” widget.
  • H5: Unrelated headings in your sidebar, footer, etc.

What it should be for your posts:

  • H1: post title
  • H2′s and H3′s: subheadings and sub-subheadings
  • H4: your blog’s name, and possibly related widgets
  • H5: same as above: sidebars etc.

If you can’t change your theme, at the very least do this:

As you write your posts, remember to use the subheading choices given in the WP editor to format your posts.

how to better format content

  • Shorter sentences

Each sentence should contain one complete thought, and one thought only.

Same goes for paragraphs.

If that means that you’ll have a bunch of one-sentence paragraphs, so be it.

  • Bullet points

Bullet points as well as numbered lists are a powerful way to simplify your content, break it down into smaller bites, and draw your readers back into the post.

  • Images

I am not talking about adding a great image to the beginning of the post; that goes without saying.

A skillfully placed in-post image can definitely break up the monotony of a post, as well as anchor your readers’ attention.

In short, it helps them to keep reading.

That’s precisely why I used an image of Brent’s comment above instead of just quoting him.

 Objective 4: Add a Call to Action

What is your main objective for your site?

Is it to:

  • build a list?
  • sell an affiliate product?
  • sell your own product?
  • sell more banner ads?

Whatever it is, you need toguideyour readers to the final objective.

They’ll be looking for something to do once they read your post and that’s the perfect time and place to give them your call to action.

Here are some examples of calls to action to get your creative juices going:

Dave Clements | Do It with WordPress

call to action dotiwithwp

 

Cori Padgett | Big Girl Branding

big girl branding call to action

Steve Scott | SteveScottSite.com

steve scott call to action

Marcus Sheridan | The Sales Lion

marcus sheridan call to action

To learn more about how to add a call to action to your posts, read this post by Ann Smarty:

  • How To Call To Action

Click to continue reading:

Previous: Part 1: How to Add Personality to your writing

Next: Part 3: Practical Ways to Become a Better Writer

 

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Conduct Unbecoming a Dull Writer

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24 Intelligent comments · espresso yours below

  1. Mike says

    October 21, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Yea I’ll probably be needing this. Especially considering the fact that my blog tends to get a hundred or a thousand unique page views daily…but my blog “posts” are not seeing the same love.

  2. Nick Kellingley says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:18 am

    Completely agree Ana. I find it hard to take a unique slant on a topic at times. I’m good at authorative, I’m not so sure I’m good at engaging every time. I must try harder.

    • Ana Hoffman says

      September 13, 2012 at 4:50 pm

      Your posts sounds like you write them for SEO, Nick. I’d try to stop using “Cambodia SEO” so much.

  3. Ryan Hanley says

    September 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    Love the bigger font Ana… Immediately noticed it and it immediately adds to the experience. TGC is so much easier to read now.

    Also I couldn’t agree with you more that it takes time to get your Voice. Voice is writing like we talk, writing as the person we are and not the person we feel we should be.

    Great stuff…

    Hanley

    • Ana Hoffman says

      September 4, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      It was a pleasure to watch you finding your voice as well, Ryan.

  4. Theodore.N says

    September 1, 2012 at 2:17 am

    Hey Ana, this post has made my day indeed. Although most of the things outlined here are sometimes easier to say than to do, but yet they are all surmountable ones given absolute attention and time. Will start applying one after the other.

    Thanks, you’re a darling.

    • Ana Hoffman says

      September 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm

      Very true, Theodore – some of the points I made in the post are more about trial and error (like writing with personality) and might simply take time.

  5. Midge says

    August 31, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    I like the way your posts always “talk to me” (like there is no-one else) and this is an art. When I write I try to keep in mind I am talking to a friend over coffee, feeling relaxed and being myself. By doing this I am showing my personality and expressing my thoughts in my own unique way. People respond well when you are being real. Nice post, thanks.

    • Ana Hoffman says

      September 1, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Much appreciated, Midge.

  6. Ana Hoffman says

    August 31, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Writing better titles is a quest that never ends, HP.

    What’s up with dashes in your titles? Honestly, I don’t think either one makes sense/is catchy.

    You asked… 😉

  7. Kok Siong says

    August 31, 2012 at 8:28 am

    I would think that asking question is the best way to attract people to read especially asking a question that everyone else is afraid of asking. A good content must come with a good headline. Therefore, usually I will put a good question in my headline to attract people to continue reading my writing piece.

  8. Annemarie Cross says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Another great article Ana – thank you!

    Putting personality into your style of writing and what I call your ‘brand voice’ is so very important and allows a far deeper connection with your readers.

    This is the exact opposite to articles written with too much jargon (that only people in the industry understand) and words you need to look up in the dictionary to understand their meaning. Yikes! [No thanks!]

  9. Dewane Mutunga says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    Ana,

    Totally agree with your comments about personality. I’m of the opinion that being uniquely you is one of the best ways, if not the best way, to give value to others.

    One’s unique perspective is more powerful than people think. If people would just harness their uniqueness and own it, it would be some much easier to build a community/business around a personal brand.

    Just my thoughts…

    • Ana Hoffman says

      August 31, 2012 at 10:34 am

      “Harness and own your uniqueness” – love it the way you put it, Dewane.

  10. Sean says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:44 am

    I think Number 117 works best for me:
    “Make a post simplifying a complex problem.”
    There’s just a huge demand to simplify SEO and internet marketing these days due to the growing number and competition of the online world. Refreshing reminder about my writing personality Ana!

    • Ana Hoffman says

      August 31, 2012 at 10:21 am

      Very true, Sean – there are plenty non-geeks out there that desperately need simplified version of all kinds of topics.

  11. Darren says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Good points, Ana. It’s tough to be engaging, but if you try and tell people something they don’t already, you might just get them to keep coming back for more! It’s tough to make some subjects interesting, but it’s always worth a try.

    • Ana Hoffman says

      August 30, 2012 at 9:59 am

      It’s not just worth it, Darren, but it’s imperative, really. Otherwise, as I said, it’s “piper down!”

  12. Ravi Ahuja says

    August 30, 2012 at 6:33 am

    Great Article Ana,
    As a blogger you must understand what your readers want and writing for them will give value to your blog. Improving writing is continues task which can’t be learned in a day. This article will help me a lot Thank you.

  13. Felicia says

    August 30, 2012 at 4:47 am

    Great follow-up Ana! These last couple of posts have really helped to open my eyes to what I can do to improve my blog. I’ve been working hard on trying things out and see what works and what doesn’t work as well. Thank you again for all of your advice!

  14. Ahmed Safwan says

    August 29, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Thanks a lot Ana.

    I think after this post, I should start editing my posts again from the beginning.

    I will try it and tell you what is the diffrence.

    Thanks again.

    Regards,
    Ahmed Safwan
    ToSTartBlogging.COm

  15. Brent Carnduff says

    August 29, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Great follow up article Ana! A lot of great information. I want to tell you how helpful the first “Conduct Unbecoming a Dull Writer” was to me. I referred to it often while writing this past week, and look forward to digesting and applying the information from this article in future writing. One of the things that stands out to me in your writing (and there are many : ) is your use of white space and headings – definitely makes it easier and more enjoyable to read. Thanks for information, motivation, and encouragement! Look forward to stopping by again soon!

    • Ana Hoffman says

      August 29, 2012 at 9:46 am

      You are very welcome, Brent; look forward to your blog posts!

  16. Kurtney Navarro says

    August 28, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    A blog post is the means of connection between the writer and the reader. It is through the ideas conveyed by the writer that a spark of relationship starts. And it is definitely true that readers feel if something is genuine or not. The only thing to do is to be TRUE – be true to yourself – and the world will walk with you. By being true, the canvas of ideas will flow from writer to reader (blogs post) and from reader to writer (comments). And when this happens, real communication occurs. Thanks Ana for reminding everyone on how to be real. 🙂

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