With the rise of digital content all around the world, there are more people writing and coming up with content to put up on the internet than you can count.
There are blog posts about cooking, fashion and literally every topic under the sun – scripts for YouTube videos, skits, podcasts, and many more forms of content.
The process that goes into making these different types of content available on the web – planning, writing and editing – is what we refer to as content writing.
With the ever-decreasing attention span of the average internet user, content writers need to create engaging content that interests and appeals to people.
With this in mind, here are 3 very common mistakes we’ve seen a lot of content writers make and how you can avoid making them.
1. You Double-check/ Proofread like everyone else.
Content writing is about way more than just being a good writer.
A lot of content writers easily overlook the need to edit their content thoroughly.
No matter how skilled you are, it’s very possible for you to make mistakes. These errors can be grammatical, stylistic, or spelling-related. But they could still be inconvenient for others to read.
Read.
Take a break and read some more until your content looks and sounds top notch.
You could also use apps like Grammarly or other content editing tools to detect grammar mistakes.
Make sure to think about your readers as you edit. Your content has to suit your readers, which brings us to our next point….
2. You think you understand your target audience
You cannot just sit and assume who you think your audience will be without research. It’s not magic!
As a content writer, you should be aware of who your target audience is. If you are not, you will end up with content that people won’t care to read.
Dig for enough information to figure out who you’re writing for. Find out more about what they are interested in. You will frequently go off-topic if you don’t know the audience you are writing for.
Be intentional about identifying and writing for the right audience so that you can directly appeal to them and leave a lasting impression.
Skit makers are physical examples of people who take making a lasting impression into great consideration.
3. You don’t grab your reader’s attention
From the topic, to the introduction and the body, you should be able to engage your reader’s senses.
If your content has nothing to hook your readers and hold their attention, I’m sure they will be clicking out before you could even say Jack Robinson.
In order to achieve this, everything matters. Your tone, the length of the content and even the use of images or visuals.
READ: How to write compelling stories
Think of your content as a fishing rod that keeps reeling in your readers until they reach the surface with new knowledge imparted on them.
A lot of content writers tend to write with the same energy of a long speech. More interested in getting their message out there and less about keeping their audience listening.
You want your audience to stay glued to your writing like they would to the new season of the Big Brother Naija Show.
All these mistakes and more could be made by content writers when writing. But your awareness of these mistakes and how to avoid them should be the difference between you and others.
When you’re able to avoid these mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to writing awesome and more engaging content. Happy content creation!
About Oyinkansola Ogunyinka
Oyinkansola is the Marketing Strategist at Hera, a platform that delivers content marketing services to high-growth companies. She is a fiction author, hopeless romantic and ice-cream lover. Read more from Oyinkansola.
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Understanding your target audience is something I think you need to invest time in as a content writer because it can make all the difference between a bad article and a good one.
You are so right Abimbola, thanks for sharing. Writing without an understanding of your target audience is like winking in the dark – pointless.
I’m glad you found the article relevant.
As a content writer, I am guilty of doing these. Thanks for pointing them out, now I am aware
You’re welcome Bukola! Good luck in your future writings.