When beginning a new blog or article, one of the things that writers and bloggers may find most challenging is the ability to adapt a voice in their work that is both engaging and attractive to a wide audience, or their demographic audience. While the primary objective of a writing a blog or article is often to inform or educate your readers about a certain subject or topic, it can be difficult to relay this information without coming off as stiff or overly instructional.
Writing in a voice that comes off as both natural and relatable is an effective way to connect with your audience and readership, keeping them engaged with your article and subscribing to or coming back for more of your content. Consider employing some of these tips when writing your next article to give it more color or personality, while attracting readers and standing out to maximize engagement.
1. Speak Clearly, But Informally And Directly To Readers
One of the best things you can do for yourself, your blog or article, and your readers is to write with clarity. Avoid using ornate or flowery language if possible, and speak in a basic manner as if you were speaking to a friend.
Dropping formalities and speaking in a friendly tone will be as key to connecting with your audience as speaking directly to them. Avoid using the words “we” and “our” and focus more on the “you” and “your” of your reader. If speaking about yourself, use the “I” or “me/myself” subject. Speaking in the plural often speaks to a tone of authority, to speak on behalf of a group or yourself and your reader.
While your audience will cover a large spectrum of people across the internet, your writing should be both relatable enough and direct enough that each reader feels connected to or can empathize with and understand your writing.
2. Add Fun Or Funny Anecdotes From Your Personal Experiences
Letting your readers get to know you is an important aspect of creating enjoyable content to read an consume. Telling readers about a relevant and humorous anecdote from your own life or experiences will bring some brevity to the topic or information you are attempting to put out, while also showing a side of humility and lightness from your own character. Part of developing an audience is creating a space and environment where your readers will enjoy getting to know more about you.
Opening articles and blogs with a funny experience from your own life is also a good segue to engage readers and your audience from the start. “Have I ever told you guys about the time I accidentally drove away in the wrong car?” is a good example of a quirky, funny, and intriguing incident that will leave your readers wanting to hear more and how the story ends. Anecdotes and experiences should be true to your life, or perhaps observed examples from friends and family that allow you to share their stories publicly.
3. Insert Bright, Colorful, And Relevant Images
Imagery is powerful, as humans tend to be quite visual creatures. When words are not enough, or at times when a story must be visualized, incorporating images into your blog will enhance your articles or stories. Adding images to your article can also act as placeholders that break up long lines of text or paragraphs that can be intimidating to read.
Download free stock images at https://www.pexels.com/
Make sure to choose images that are relevant to the topic and section of topic within your blog. Placing these images strategically will help your article feel visually colorful and coherent. Images can be found in several online sources, such as Shutterstock, Pexels, or iStockPhotos.
4. Format Your Blog With Headings And Breaks
Using photos and images to create breaks in blocks of texts is one way to create a placeholder for your readers, although another way to do this or combine with photos is to create subheadings and breaks via text. Usually a heading or subheading will be of larger font size, bolded, and will encompass the primary topic or subject of the section of information below it.
Creating these headings and breaks is important to break down your article into sensible sections, lowing your readers to feel that they can take a break or come back to where they left off should they lose their place in the article. It can also be a good way to allow readers to bookmark sections or excerpts that they found particularly insightful or important to remember.
5. Provide Links To Relevant And Upbeat Content
When writing about informative topics or creating an article of great length, allowing your readers to go to a place of reference can be a fun way to provide them with more content without actually having to create the content yourself. You can link to content of friends or fellow bloggers, or to more mainstream and popular spaces that you think your readers and audience might enjoy. This allows your readers to explore relevant content, and consider your blog or articles as a place (or THE place) they can go to find new and interesting content.
6. Ask Readers About Their Experiences Relevant To Your Article Topic
When you conclude your articles or blog posts, consider asking your readers about their relevant experiences or if they have any interesting tales or stories of their own to share in the comment section of your blog or website. Doing this shows that you are are invested and interested in their input, as well as providing a space for further interaction and engagement in the form of fun or funny discussion.
Conclusion
Creating a blog or article that is both informative and colorful covers a multitude of components. While some writers or creators will focus heavily on the actual design and color scheme or theme of their website to attract readers, curating colorful content can mean so much more, from having a unique and interesting voice, to adding the best suited images and subheadings. Providing a space for exploration and discussion is another aspect that writers should consider when thinking about how to make their articles stand out. The most important aspect of creating colorful articles and blog posts is connecting with your audience and readership.