All you need to create compelling content are these 12 ingredients that will have your target audience wanting more.
1. Nostalgia
We love to look back at the past. Therefore, including nostalgic elements into your content makes it engaging. Consider adding pop-culture references that are relevant to your brand. For example, a mobile company could show the transition from the flip phone, to today’s smartphone.
2. Curiosity Gap in the Headline
Curiosity and interest are interchangeable. By incorporating the curiosity gap, we can make headlines all the more compelling. Above all, adding an air of mystery to your content can have a dramatic effect. The headline should leave something to the reader’s imagination. Eventually, this uncertainty will compel the readers to read the rest of the article or watch a video.
3. Content Should Tell a Story
Blog content is a lot different from the news. When people think articles, they are thinking about newspaper articles. The purpose of a newspaper article is to state the facts objectively. Writing quality blog content requires you to care about it. Lastly, it would also mean giving your opinion about the matter.
4. The Freytag Pyramid
An engaging story has five elements. The climax is the pivotal moment of the story. Therefore, the curiosity gap creates confusion. The climax is just before it gets resolved. As the reader gets hooked into the post, the suspense should continue to rise. After the climax is the big reveal. This is where the confusion created by the headline is cleared.
5. Personalization
Engaging content is created by making it personalized to the target audience. There is a reason why some superhero movies have their characters as life-size figures in the cinemas with their faces cut-out. It puts the audience at the center. Similarly, cups with names on them are another example.
6. Human Element
Capitalize on human sentiments. Employing humor, even the self-deprecating kind, can humanize your content.
7. Research it Well
Back your claims with sources. If the article is full of unsubstantiated sweeping statements, do not expect readers to continue reading. Losing credibility is terrible for your brand.
8. Multi-dimensional Content
Your posts should not just be focused on one medium. Simply put, content that is not engaging is like having a one-sided conversation. Therefore, stating facts also has the same effect. Moreover, by bringing the reader into the story, it adds another layer of dimension. Adding images and videos creates the content more engaging. Basically, instead of just talking about a tourist destination, why not add some pictures.
9. Engage the client with Emotion
Cute puppies are great in advertisements. Why? Because they invoke a certain emotion in humans. As a result, things that create feelings are better able to capture attention.
10. Create Commotion
Give your readers something to discuss. Polarise your followers. Asking questions that you know will create a difference of opinion. So, ask questions like, who do you think will win the basketball game tonight?
11. Free Distribution
Your content should have an element of value. Therefore, it should focus on adding some value to the life of the reader. This could be a recipe for something or a quick life hack.
12. Get Feedback
You must remember that your content is catered to a particular kind of audience. Firstly, to make it more engaging, get feedback. Listen to what your audience wants, and as a result, you will be able to create content that will be well-received automatically.
