How To Write Content That People Actually Read
You’re pumping out content week after week, but is anyone actually reading it? You might feel like you’re shouting into the void, wondering why all your hard work isn’t getting the traction it deserves.
In a world filled with endless distractions, it’s not enough to just create content anymore. Your audience is constantly bombarded with information, and if your content doesn’t stand out, it’s getting lost in the noise.
So, what’s going wrong? And more importantly, how do you fix it?
1. Your Headlines Are Snooze-Worthy
If your headline doesn’t make people stop in their tracks, your content doesn’t stand a chance. Think of your headline as the front door to your content—if it’s boring, no one’s going to knock. And let’s be real: in a world where people are scrolling at lightning speed, you’ve got about two seconds to grab their attention.
Solution: Write headlines that provoke curiosity or spark emotion. Ask a question, make a bold statement, or offer something irresistible. “How to Double Your Sales in 30 Days” is far more enticing than “Effective Sales Strategies.” The goal is to make people need to click.
2. Your Content Isn’t Solving a Problem
Here’s a harsh truth: people don’t care about your content unless it’s useful to them. If you’re just talking about your brand, your achievements, or throwing out random ideas, you’re giving readers zero reason to stick around. People are selfish, and they’re only reading your content because they want something from it—whether it’s a solution to a problem, a new insight, or just some entertainment.
Solution: Every piece of content should serve a purpose for your audience. Before you start writing, ask yourself, “What problem am I solving for my readers?” Whether it’s offering practical advice, answering common questions, or providing inspiration, your content needs to help them.
3. You’re Too Focused on Yourself
Let’s say it louder for the people in the back: your audience doesn’t care about you. They care about themselves. If your content is all about your brand, your achievements, or your services, your readers are going to check out. Fast.
Solution: Flip the script. Instead of talking about what you can do, focus on what your audience needs. Use language that puts the reader at the center of your content. Instead of saying, “Our company helps businesses grow,” say, “Here’s how you can take your business to the next level.” Make it about them.
4. Your Content Is Too Long (Or Too Short)
Ever come across a blog post that seems to go on forever? It feels like you’re wading through a sea of words just to find the point. Or worse, you read something that’s so short and vague, you leave feeling like you’ve wasted your time.
Solution: Find the sweet spot. Don’t write just for the sake of hitting a word count. Write enough to fully explore your topic and give value, but not so much that people get bored. Break it up with subheadings, bullet points, and images to make it easy to skim. And remember, quality always beats quantity.
5. You’re Not Engaging Your Readers
Writing isn’t a one-way street. If your content feels like a lecture, people are going to tune out. You want your readers to feel like they’re part of a conversation, not just passively consuming information. If you’re not asking questions, inviting opinions, or encouraging feedback, your readers have no reason to engage with you.
Solution: Make your content interactive. Ask questions that invite responses. Use polls, quizzes, or calls to action that encourage your readers to share their thoughts. Make them feel like they’re part of the dialogue, not just an audience. The more you can engage with your readers, the more likely they are to stick around and come back for more.
6. You’re Ignoring SEO
No matter how great your content is, if no one can find it, it doesn’t exist. You can’t just hit “publish” and expect the traffic to roll in. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. If you’re not optimizing your content for search engines, you’re missing out on a huge audience that could be finding your content.
Solution: Do some keyword research and include relevant keywords naturally in your content. Optimize your meta descriptions, use internal links, and make sure your images are tagged appropriately. SEO might seem intimidating, but it’s essential if you want people to actually find and read your content.
7. You’re Not Promoting Your Content
Here’s the hard truth: just publishing your content isn’t enough. If you’re not actively promoting it, no one’s going to find it. And no, a single tweet or Facebook post isn’t going to cut it. You need to put in the work to get your content in front of people.
Solution: Share your content across multiple platforms, send it out to your email list, and don’t be afraid to re-share older posts that are still relevant. Engage with your audience on social media and encourage them to share your content too. If you’re not promoting it, you’re leaving your content to die in obscurity.
So, Is Anyone Actually Reading Your Content?
If your answer is still “not really,” don’t worry, you’re not alone. The good news? You can turn it around. With a few tweaks to your strategy, you can create content that people not only read but engage with and share. And at the end of the day, that’s what good content is all about.
We understand that creating content that connects with your audience isn’t easy. It takes time, effort, and a lot of fine-tuning. But the reward? It’s worth it. Want to know more about how we can help you create content that your audience actually reads?
You know where to find us: contact@deeplevel.biz. Let’s turn your words into something people can’t ignore.