Website content writing scares many of us, especially once we’ve read a fabulous article with a gazillion shares and we suddenly feel woefully inadequate writers.
They say that, if 100 monkeys sat at typewriters long enough, they would eventually write Shakespeare. But you don’t want your content to look like their practice run!
We’ve all visited websites and been immediately turned off by the writing.
Writing great, error-free, compelling and engaging content is key to being successful online. And, keeping it consistently great will help you create a desirable brand.
Whether you’re creating a blog post, podcast or video, often it will start with the written word. You follow the same creative process, it’s just the production that changes.
But you don’t have to be a professional writer to be considered a great one. You’re only limited by your own creativity and self-limiting beliefs.
It’s really not that hard once you have a few tips to guide you. So, here are 28 tips to send you on your way to producing dramatically better web content.
The Best Must-Read Content Writing Articles Online
Looking for inspiration, or a helping hand as you get started? Here are the 10 articles that will support you.
1. What Is Content Marketing?
By – Content Marketing Institute – Click here to read the article
Start by finding out about what you’re getting yourself into. Understanding what the purpose of content marketing ensures you’ll know how to get it right first time.
2. The 10-Step Content Marketing Checklist
By – CopyBlogger – Click here to read the article
Use this checklist to help get you on your feet. To make it work, you need to start by building solid foundations. Tick these off, and you’ve given yourself the best chance.
3. 6 Content Writing Strategies That Will Help You Acquire More Organic Traffic
By – Neil Patel – Click here to read the article
Before you just jump in, you’ll need to decide what it is you’re producing, and who it’s for. Having a strategy in places ensures you and everyone else knows this. Here are a few suggestions to help you.
4. How To Give Your Customer What She Is Looking For
By – The Daily Lead – Click here to read the article
One of the strategies from the previous article is to write with one person in mind. So, you’ll need to know who that person is and what they want… This will help you find the answers.
5. 25 Scientifically Proven Ways To Write Better Headlines For Your Blog
By – CoSchedule Blog – Click here to read the article
The headline is the first thing people will see. You want to make it enticing so that people click the link and actually read it. This article will help you write some cracking headlines.
6. The Nine Ingredients That Make Great Content
By – KissMetrics – Click here to read the article
When you’re making content for everyone, you’ll want to follow a proven recipe. Reading this will help you choose the right ingredients and understand how to mix them all together.
7. The Ultimate Guide To Writing Irresistible Subheads
By – Smart Blogger – Click here to read the article
Subheadings are useful for keeping people’s interest when it starts to wane. Follow these Dos and Don’ts to make sure you harness the power of a subheading in your writing.
8. 13 Warning Signs Your Web Copy Stinks
By – Unbounce – Click here to read the article
To fix a problem, first you need to recognize it. Understanding what will turn your readers off is key to being successful, so you don’t make fatal mistakes. Here is a list of what to avoid in your content.
9. Link Building Case Study: How I Increased My Search Traffic By 110% In 14 Days
By – BackLinko – Click here to read the article
You can write the best content around, but it doesn’t mean it will get seen by anyone. Follow these proven steps to not only have great content but to also guarantee its success.
10. The 25 Principles That Power Our Company Blog
By – Help Scout – Click here to read the article
And when you’re thinking why you should bother, read this article. They give you the secrets to their success, and explain why they do it. Borrowing a few of their ideas will give you the confidence to trust your own creativity.
The Best Free Tools For Better Content Writing
When your budget is a little tight, there are still plenty of tools that will help you to create the content you’re dreaming of. Here are 5 that make a big difference in our writing.
1. Grammarly
We’re all prone to making the odd mistake.
I bet your English teacher even made one or two.
Grammarly will check your writing for misspellings and incorrect grammar to save embarrassment.
2. Hemingway App
Writing style is just as important spelling. Using this to do your writing will help your readers focus on the message.
It helps you to use simpler words and sentences and prevents you from writing in passive voice.
Hemingway immediately highlights the parts of your text to improve and explains how, making your writing more confident and trustworthy.
3. Evernote
You never have a notepad on you when you need it.
And if you did, it’s often easy to lose the note it in your pocket.
But you always have your phone or computer.
So using Evernote means you can jot stuff down whenever you need to, access it from wherever, and share then it with whomever.
4. Trello
When you’re working on a project with other people, create an online board so you can all keep track of the project.
That way, you can see what’s being worked on, who’s working on what, and where something is in the process.
It’s a great way to stay organized and in touch with your staff.
5. Headline Analyzer
Headlines are one of the most important aspects of your content.
Headline Analyzer scores your headline for structure, grammar, and readability, then suggests improvements.
The Best Paid Content Tools
With a little money, you can buy tools which will help to great content which you’ll like producing and others will love reading. Here are 4 tools to help with great content.
1. ilys
It’s easy to become distracted with formatting and editing, and you fail to get on with the task of writing.
This tool asks for your target word count, and will then hide what you’ve written until you reach that magic number. It’s a good way of forcing productivity onto yourself.
2. Scrivener
When you’re working on a big project, it’s good to have everything in one place. All your writing, research, and images are all kept together.
It saves you having to battle with files saved in different places, with multiple applications and windows open at the same time.
3. ZenWriter
Technology offers so many ways of procrastinating, it makes writing difficult. ZenWriter is a minimalist writing application designed to eliminate distractions.
With calming backgrounds and music, it provides you with an environment where you focus on just your writing.
4. Draft
Often when you write something, you’ll want some feedback. You can use this to easily send drafts to colleagues without losing the original when they make changes.
Or you can send it to a professional for some great advice on how to improve your writing.
The Best Content Writing Infographics
There are many infographics around too, all of which will help you in the creation of your better content. Here are 4 that have great information.
1. The Advanced Content Marketing Guide
2. 22 Ways To Create Compelling Content When You Haven’t A Clue
3. Step-By-Step Directions For Writing Your Next Piece Of Content
4. SEO Copywriting – 13 Tips For Writing Content That Ranks In 2014
5 Expert Writing Blogs You Should Always Be Reading
These 5 blogs have great content to help you write better, and communicate better with your potential clients.
1. Copyblogger
For years, Copyblogger has been teaching people how to create killer content online that stands out above the rest.
Brian Clark has built a site with so much free advice, you can easily become an expert.
Follow Copyblogger on Twitter.
2. Goins, Writer
Jeff Goins will help you to unlock your writing potential.
He’ll help you build up your confidence and take the steps you need to take to become the success you want to be.
His books are very inspirational and will help point you in the right direction to hone your craft as a writer.
Follow Jeff on Twitter or connect with him on Facebook.
3. HubSpot
Hubspot is software to make you a better content marketer.
It’s not surprising that they produce a lot of very effective content themselves.
And best of all, it’s useful, covering a large range of topics, so you’ll have no trouble finding the right posts to help you.
Follow Hubspot on Twitter and on Facebook.
4. Smart Blogger
If you’re just starting your journey as an online content creator, then Jon Morrow’s blog will help you at every stop along the way.
Reading this will help get you and your content noticed.
Jon also sets a perfect example of what can be achieved through content; he is paralyzed from the neck down.
Follow Jon Morrow on Twitter and on Facebook.
5. ProBlogger
Darren Rowse’ blog is one of the originals for bloggers, dedicated to helping everyone learn the skills of blogging and has created a blogging community.
Again, there are many articles on there to lose yourself in, all written from personal experiences.
Follow ProBlogger on Twitter and on Facebook.
Now you can create the best content around. Become the expert in your field and everyone will come to you when they need to know something.
And with all these tools at your disposal, you no longer have an excuse not to.
So stop relying on those monkeys… it’ll take them years to write Hamlet anyway.
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