4 Quick Tips on How to Write Engaging Blog Content

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Sometimes it helps to just have some quick tips to refer to when you need help with content writing.

So I thought I’d help you out by giving you a quick list of things that I do when preparing my blog posts.

All of these items are not appropriate for every post, but helps to have them available to make sure you don’t forget something important.

I don’t always complete these things in the same order - sometimes I draft and then do these things while I edit - so don’t allow yourself to feel bound by order.

If you want your content to be engaging here’s what you need:

Create an engaging opener

Dive right in and start talking to the reader.

Don’t start with facts. I often like to start by telling what prompted me to write a particular piece. Sometimes I start off as if the conversation has already started.

Add vivid details wherever relevant

Don’t overdo it, but sometimes creating a scene helps hook people and draw them in.

Be specific - name specific items; avoid use of the words “things”, “bad”, “good” - stretch yourself to find more engaging details.

Remember the five senses as you write and try to appeal to as many of them that are logical.

Use Active language

Here’s how to gauge whether or not your sentences are passive - count how many times you use the words “was, were, had been, is, or are” - too many may signal passive voice.

Try to replace them with more accurate active verbs; that will add energy and life to your post.

Instead of “the other day I was writing a post…”
say, “the other day I wrote a post…”

Instead of “we were thinking about moving, but...”
say, “we thought about moving, but…”

Remix cliches for hint of the unexpected

Instead of digging into your usual bag of cliches, try changing things up.

Play around with words. See if you can come up with something fresh.

Instead of writing, “I’m starving to death...”
write, “I’m so hungry, even the Grim Reaper looks delicious …”

Instead of writing, “I’m tired as a dog...”
write, “If I was any more tired, someone might have to put a leash around my collar…”

I know these might not be the best or the funniest, but at least they aren’t the same old thing - they wake up the senses because they are unexpected.

Tie it all together

Don’t just end a post abruptly, tie everything together neatly with a quick 2 - 3 sentence conclusion.

An easy way to do this is to think about what each of your points had in common - or - how your readers could apply them.

Or you could end with a question (like I did) that helps your readers think and come to a conclusion of their own.

Of course, this not a complete list - I want you to add to it.

What writing tricks do you use to make sure your content is fun and engaging?

This post brought to you by Kiesha Easley

Kiesha blogs at WeBlogBetter, a blog devoted to offering blogging tips. She’s a writer, editor, and blog consultant for small business owners. Connect with her on Twitter @weblogbetter.

Kiesha has written 2 great posts for Traffic Generation Cafe.