The rise of content writers has exponentially grown over the last decade as businesses transition or get launched in the digital world we all live in. Brands are more aware of the desires of their audiences more than ever. But often, only a great content writer can tell the brand’s story.

Whether you’re crafting blog posts, social media updates, or website copy, the ability to produce engaging and impactful content has become an invaluable skill set. With this rising demand comes the saturation of the content writer space.

Anybody has what it takes to be a content writer, but how can you become a better content writer in today’s age of bite-sized content and overwhelming online competition? 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the essence of great content and share ten solid strategies to improve your content writing skills.

What makes great content?

First of all, what makes great content? In other words, what makes a content piece stand out from others? 

Content constitutes but is not limited to text, images, videos, audio, infographics, animations, and other interactive elements. 

In this light, creating great content is not just about coming up with ideas and stringing words together; it’s about creating a profound connection with your audience. Creating high-quality content requires a deep understanding of the target audience and industry.

Although great content can take various forms and styles, there are key qualities that distinguish it. Let’s explore some of these attributes:

1. Great content is relevant 

Great content addresses topics that are timely and meaningful and therefore resonate with the target audience’s interests and needs. In other words, creating quality content is understanding what matters to your audience and delivering content that speaks directly to those concerns. 

When your content is relevant, it not only captures your audience’s attention but also establishes a deeper connection with them, making them more likely to engage and take action. 

An example of relevant content is PiggyVest’s Grown Up comic series, which uses satire to address real and relatable financial issues. The comic series has now been read by over 500,000 people and has led to over 40,000 downloads of Piggyvest. 

2. Great content is clear 

Clarity is a basic tenet of great content. When creating content, clear and concise communication should be prioritised. This is important for all sorts of writers, which including content writers and copywriters. 

Great content avoids jargon and convoluted language and strives instead for simplicity and coherence. Clearly communicated messages are more likely to leave an impression on potential customers which in turn, informs the path to conversion. 

An example of clear content is PocketApp’s tagline, “Save, receive and spend money with ease.” This immediately communicates the capabilities of the application as well as its USP.

3. Great content sparks engagement

Compelling content sparks curiosity, tugs on your feelings, and encourages interaction. Whether through storytelling, thought-provoking questions, or captivating visuals, create content that drives your audience to engage on a profound level. 

Consider Zikoko’s viral quizzes for example, titles like “What Kind of Bread Are You?” make people curious and therefore spur engagement. 

4. Great content provides value

Great content provides actionable insights, practical advice, or entertaining narratives that enrich the lives of your audience. Valuable content is what establishes trust with audience members and helps them build long-term relationships with you. 

A great example of this is Risevest’s Finance in 30 Seconds which breaks down investment-related concepts into easy digestible sentences. This helps Risevest users trust the brand more. 

5. Great content is authentic

It goes without saying that great content is authentic and original. Bringing a fresh perspective to a story compels the audience to pay attention. 

By being genuine in your voice, opinions, and storytelling, you can forge an authentic connection with your audience based on trust and relatability.

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How to become a better content writer

Now that we’ve established the foundational principles of great content, let’s go into actionable strategies you can adapt to make better content that resonates with your audience:

1. Get in touch with your audience

Without the presence of an audience, the purpose of content writing and communication, in general, s defeated. 

It’s highly crucial that before any content piece is created, time and effort must be invested into understanding the target audience’s demographics, preferences, pain points, and aspirations. Only then can your content be tailored in a way that resonates deeply with their needs and interests. 

2. Master the basics of grammar

Remember that great content is clear and concise. To achieve this, one must have mastered grammar, punctuation, and syntax. 

A strong command of language enhances clarity and professionalism in your writing. It reduces the chance of being misunderstood and therefore associated with the wrong values. 

A good tip is to read a grammar book at least once every year. This will keep the tenets of good grammar fresh in your mind.

3. Develop your unique voice

Good content is authentic as it differs from the crowd. To achieve this, cultivate a distinct voice that reflects your personality or that of your brand and resonates deeply with your audience. 

Whether you choose to be witty, authoritative, or conversational, let your voice shine through in every piece of content you create. Only then will it stick in the minds of the target audience. 

4. Prioritise research

As a content writer, you must invest time in conducting comprehensive research to ensure the accuracy and credibility of your content. 

Remember great content is not only authentic but brings value that spurs engagement. Back up your claims with reliable sources and data. 

This aids your authority as a brand and helps to establish trust within your target audience.

5. Learn the art of crafting compelling headlines

Great content pulls its reader into a world of its own and an acceptable way to do so is by creating compelling headlines that grab their attention from the jump. 

To create better content, lead with captivating headlines and introductions. A powerful opening sets the tone for the rest of your content and entices readers to dig deeper.

CHECK OUT: A Creator’s Guide to Crafting Compelling Social Media Posts

6. Work on the structure and flow of your content

It’s important to create content that provides value and resonates with your audience but without organising your content to flow in a logical and coherent manner, with clear transitions between ideas, you might lose out on delivering the content piece in a way that spurs actions. 

In other words, a well-structured content piece enhances readability and comprehension. The flow and digestibility of your content are what keep your audience engaged from start to finish.

7. Use visual elements in your content

Creating content for today’s audience means prioritising visual elements in your content. With an important feature of great content being clear communication, great content writers should integrate multimedia elements in their work such as images, infographics, and videos that complement written content. 

Visuals not only improve a person’s comprehension but also add aesthetic appeal and break up the text for improved readability.

8. Edit and revise your content diligently 

Never underestimate the importance of editing and revising your content. This helps remove any errors. Check for structural flow and rhythm, this will emphasise a weighted delivery of the intended message and overall coherence. 

As a good content writer, you must embrace the art of reading your piece over and over to polish it to perfection. A good rule of thumb is reading it aloud to hear how it sounds.

9. Receive feedback 

To create compelling content, you must welcome and apply constructive feedback on your work. Feedback can come from peers, mentors, or even your audience. 

Think of criticism as an opportunity for growth and continuously strive to hone your craft. Some of the best content pieces exist because they underwent cycles of criticism which eventually led to perfection. 

10. Stay updated 

A great content writer must be ready to adapt to the ever-changing environment. The landscape of content writing is ever-evolving, with new trends, technologies, and platforms emerging constantly. 

To remain relevant, one must stay abreast of industry developments, adapt to changing demands, and continuously refine their skills to stay ahead of the curve. It’s only content writers who do so that can shift from industry to industry and earn a profitable living off solely content writing. 

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Becoming a better content writer is a journey of continuous learning, experimentation, and refinement. By embodying the principles of compelling content in every piece, you can take your content writing from good to great. 

Remember, the path to success may be paved with challenges and setbacks, but with perseverance and passion, you can become the content writer you hope to become. 

Ready to share your unique voice with the world? Sign up on Selar today to sell your digital products and garner support for your work.