It's a question that plagues content marketers, as they try to hit that elusive "viral" sweet spot.
There are a number of factors that can affect how well a piece of content performs, from the audience it's targeting to the timing of its release. But there are a few key elements that all successful posts have in common.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating content that is more likely to perform well:
1. Create content that is relevant and timely
One of the most important factors in determining whether a piece of content will perform well is its relevancy. Is the topic something that your audience is interested in? Is it timely and relevant to what's going on in the world? Creating content that is relevant to your audience and timing is crucial to success.
2. Write headlines that are attention-grabbing and informative
Your headline is one of the most important elements of your content. A great headline will entice readers to click through and read your article, while a weak headline will cause them to scroll right past. When writing headlines, focus on creating something that is both attention-grabbing and informative. Your headline should give readers a clear idea of what the article is about, while also piquing their curiosity.
3. Use images, infographics, and videos that match your branding
Another important element of successful content is visuals. People are more likely to engage with content that includes images, infographics, or videos. Adding visuals to your content can help break up the text and make it more visually appealing. Images, infographics, and videos are all great ways to add visual interest to your content and make it more likely to perform well. But… avoid using the same stock photos and quotes that everybody uses. Instead, make your images relevant to your brand and your messages unique.
4. Keep it short and sweet
In today's busy world, people don't have time to read long, drawn-out articles. They want content that is short and to the point. When creating content, focus on keeping it short and sweet. Get your point across in as few words as possible. Your readers will appreciate the brevity and be more likely to engage with your content.
5. Check if people are actually engaging with your work
No matter how great your content is, it won't matter if no one is reading it. Checking in on engagement levels is important to ensure that people are actually interested in what you're writing. There are a few ways to check engagement levels. One is simply to look at the number of comments each post receives. If you're not getting many comments, it could be a sign that people aren't interested in what you have to say. In this case - change your content, tweak your headlines and make changes until you find the right content formula that triggers engagement.
6. Promote your content
Just because you create great content doesn't mean it will automatically get seen by your target audience. You need to put in some effort to promote your content and get it in front of the right people. There are a number of ways to promote your content, including social media, email marketing, and paid advertising. Promoting your content is an important step in getting it seen by the right people and making it more likely to perform well.
So, what’s the bottom line?
If you want to see better post-performance, increase your content relevancy, write attention grabbing headlines, use images and videos that match your branding, keep it short and sweet, and make sure people are actually engaging with your work. Promote your content by using social media platforms and email marketing.
And if all of this sounds intimidating or confusing – contact me. I’d be more than happy to help steer you in the right direction.