Why Your Content is Failing to Connect

Why Your Content is Failing to Connect

There is nothing more discouraging than spending hours working on a blog, article, or targeted email only to find out that no one has any interest in what your wrote. While it is easy to take such rejection personally, you would be better served to investigate the reasons why your content is failing to connect with your target audience.

So what are some of the reasons people aren’t reading your content? What follows are some issues you may be having and ways to correct those issues:

1. Your headlines aren’t unique. Let’s face it, there is a lot of content out there. That’s why it’s so important that your headlines catch the attention of readers.
2. Your content is too “informative.” Make sure your content solves a problem or answers a question. Your content must do more than just inform people about an issue because your audience knows what their problem is, what they want to know is how to solve it!
3. You are unable to get to the point. The attention span of internet users is becoming shorter and shorter and most people scan rather than read articles. Make sure you get to the point quickly or readers will pass you over.  You can add more details further down in the story but it’s important you don’t “save the best for last” because you may have lost your readers by then.
4. Your copy is difficult to read. Remember that short paragraphs, subheads, and bullet points work best.
5. You haven’t harnessed the power of numbers. Studies show that people are more likely to read posts, articles, blogs, and other content that includes numbered lists. What’s more, numbered lists are more likely to be shared.
6. You don’t know your parts of speech. Social media scientists say that headlines that include more verbs and less nouns are more likely to be clicked on.
7. You don’t write like you talk. Providing good advice in a conversational voice is what makes people view you as an authority on a subject, not using big words.
8. You’re afraid to be funny. You don’t have to crack jokes in every post or article but it’s a refreshing change of pace when you can insert a little humor into your writing. It also makes you seem more personable.
9. You are writing about a boring topic. Let’s face it, some topics are easier to write about than others but by getting into the mind of your intended audience it will be easier to make a topic more interesting. After all, you are writing for your reader, not for yourself!
10. You avoid relationships. Good content will leave people coming back for more. Encourage repeat traffic by asking questions and for feedback from your audience.

Getting your content noticed is not an easy thing to do. However, taking the time to resolve your content-writing issues will help you to do just that – allowing you to better connect with current customers and sales leads alike!