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How to Write Content That Your Audience Wants To Hear

  • May 2 2014
  • Comments Off on How to Write Content That Your Audience Wants To Hear
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“How do I write content that my audience wants to hear?” is a question most writers could reasonably ask themselves.

 

This is a question that will be answered by time you are done reading, and it’s likely that you are not being as effective a writer as you could be if you’re not doing what this article recommends. That’s a strong statement, and it’s meant to be strong because it’s true. It will become clear why as you read on.

 

The number one goal for any bit of published writing, whether it be for the web or in print, is for it to get into the head of the person reading it. Language, structure, grammar, subject matter, and plot are all components used by a writer to emotionally reach his or her audience.

 

If You Care, They Will Too

Proper subject matter is key to reaching your audience. “Write what you know” is the best advice given in all introductory writing courses, and for good reason. If you don’t understand a subject, you can’t maintain a level of enthusiasm necessary to keep your own interest, let alone that of your reader.

 

When you have your subject, think about what excites you or interests you about it. If you have an unanswered question, this is the time to solve that both for yourself and for others. Research questions others have about the subject and answer them in a new way. Give your audience stories about your experience. All of these things give emotional weight to your message and will help you write faster and more clearly (which is also very important).

 

If you have no choice of subject and are not feeling very enthusiastic, then you need to get enthusiastic, because it really shows. Treat every writing opportunity not only as a job or a way to transmit information to others, but as an opportunity to learn something new for yourself. Remember: your potential audience is everyone who speaks your language. Something you find boring may change someone else’s life.

 

The Heart of the Matter

To put it simply, an effective writer will hit the reader with the emotional core of his or her argument from the absolute beginning of a piece of writing. Good writers will let their audiences know that they’re about to read something that may change their lives. The first sentence of A Tale of Two Cities is nearly the best example of this, hitting the reader with the meaningful “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” and setting up his or her expectations for the rest of the book.
The initial hook isn’t usually enough, though. As we read, we can get distracted. Reading is a passive activity, and if, in this age of distraction, some external stimulus draws your audience’s attention away for a moment, they may lose their places in your writing or forget the point you were trying to make.

 

You can lose your audience in a moment, and that is why it is so important to keep things as short and to the point as possible. Your emotional hook and your enthusiasm for the subject are important, but ending at the right time and repeating your main points are just as key.

 

It was a big assumption to think that you’d be a better writer after reading this article, but the points made here really are evergreen and universal. Care about what you’re writing, why you are writing it, and stay focused on the message you want to give to your audience. You never know what words may change someone’s life.

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Cameron Mackey

Cameron is the Content Manager for the Vorongo Blog. He has spent three years in various content marketing roles. When he is not working with Vorongo he enjoys photography and hiking.

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