Creating great content isn’t easy. In fact, it’s downright hard. There’s a lot that goes into creating content that is not only informative and engaging, but also accurate and well-written. But it’s always worth it, because great content is the key to success for any business with an online presence. As much as producing quality content can be a challenge, practice makes perfect. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’re detailing the seven steps you need to take to create better content. Let’s get started!

1. Know Your Audience

This step is critical and, unfortunately, often overlooked. Before you sit down to write a single word, you need to take some time to think about who you’re writing for. What are their interests? What are their pain points? What kind of language do they use? Once you have a good understanding of your audience, you’ll be able to create content that resonates with them on a deeper level.

2. Keep It Simple

When it comes to creating content, less is almost always more. That’s not to say that your content should be simplistic or dumbed-down; rather, it should be straightforward and easy to read. Most people don’t read online content word-for-word like they would a book; instead, they scan it for relevant information. That’s why it’s important to format your content in an easily scannable manner.

The best way to achieve this is by using short sentences and active voice. Breaking it up into smaller paragraphs with headlines makes it much easier for readers to find the information they’re looking for without getting overwhelmed or lost.

3. Write Compelling Headlines

You could have the best piece of content in the world, but if your headline doesn’t grab attention, nobody will ever read it. So how do you write a compelling headline? First and foremost, make sure it’s clear and concise—nobody wants to click on a headline that doesn’t tell them anything about what they’re going to read. Second, try to use numbers or lists whenever possible. Finally, invoke curiosity by asking questions or leaving things open-ended.

4. Use Appealing Visuals

People are visual creatures, so adding images, infographics, or even videos can help make your article more appealing and easier to digest. Not to mention, articles with visuals tend to get more social media shares than those without them! But make sure that they not only go well with the topic of your content, but that they are high-quality too. You can find stock photos here to use in your content. They can also be a great promotional tool too.

5. Use Power Words

Power words are words that evoke emotion and entice readers to keep reading. Some examples of power words include “amazing,” “incredible,” “unbelievable,” “shocking,” and “astonishing.” Of course, you shouldn’t go overboard with them—a few strategically placed power words will do the trick nicely. At the same time, try to branch out with the language that you use, rather than using the same words over and over again.

6. Promote Sharing

If you want your content to reach as many people as possible, you need to make it easy for readers to share it with their networks. Include social sharing buttons at the top and bottom of each piece of content so that readers can share it on their favorite social media platform with just one click. You can also include links back to your website or blog so that readers can share your content there as well.

7. Edit & Revise

Now that you’ve written your piece of brilliance, it’s time for the editing phase! This is where you’ll go through and revise everything from grammar and punctuation errors to awkward phrasing and choppy sentences. If possible, put your work away for at least 24 hours before editing; this will help you come back with fresh eyes and catch things that you might have missed otherwise. Once you’re happy with how everything looks, hit publish!

Creating Incredible Content

Creating great content isn’t easy—but it’s definitely worth it. By following these seven steps, you’ll be well on your way to producing high-quality content that resonates with your audience and drives results for your business. So what are you waiting for? Practice makes perfect, so just keep working on each piece that you create and before long, you’ll start to see an improvement in your results.