Curating a relatable article or an engaging article that draws readers in, and leaves them wanting to come back to your blog or website for more can seem like a daunting task. It’s true that there is a lot of competition out there and available on the internet, so how do you make your voice and your content stand out to readers?
One of the key elements to attracting readers and keeping them engaged is to connect with your audience, and to make your readers feel as though you understand them, and could very well be a friend of theirs. Speaking informally, while also with some authority in the topics and content you choose to write about, is a system of balance that leads to readers trusting your work, and relying on your voice for information.
1. Be Informal, But Use Proper Grammar
Writing a relatable article means writing to a wide audience, and one that probably isn’t necessarily interested in reading MLA style essay formats. Most internet searches that lead to a blog or article answer simple questions or investigate a subject or topic in some depth, without being so academic that the information is difficult to read or remember.
In the same token, your writing should be clear of spelling errors and glaring grammatical errors. Proper grammar isn’t about being overtly formal, but rather increasing readability of your content. Using proper spelling and grammar will also lend credence to the topics and subjects you write about, as this will display a level of professionalism and care that indicates you can be trusted to accurately relay information.
2. Give Audiences Some Insight Into Your Life And Personal Experiences
Personal experience is a key factor to building rapport with communities of readers that invest their time and consuming your content. You don’t have to give readers in your audience your address or phone number, but sharing with them personal experiences that relate to the subjects or topics they have questions about will grant your voice some authority of experience, and the ability for your readers to think to themselves “So I’m not the only one” or that you, the author knows what they are going through.
Sharing your personal experiences with your audience opens a door for readers to feel as if they are getting to know you and can connect with you on a more personal level. As with any other business, in writing, to develop this relationship with readers will often earn you their continued business and brand loyalty.
3. Share Your Expertise And Credentials
While it is important to build upon the rapport of your audience and readers, connecting with them on a level that develops loyalty and return visits to your writing, the gateway to their interest in your content will be in the authority that you have to speak on that subject.
Readers will want to know what makes you the expert or authority to be answering their questions, granting them advice, or having an opinion that is worth agreeing with. Having some sort of certification or degree in the subjects you write about may be important depending upon what you choose to write on, but usually personal experience in a certain line of work, or documented stays in a certain location, are examples of sufficient credentials to be considered a voice of authority in some spaces of writing. Make sure you tell your readers about your experiences and how they pertain to your ability to speak to the content they are seeking information on.
4. Ask Your Audience Questions
While it’s important to show your readers and audience that you have some authority in the things you speak about, cultivating an engaging article or a relatable article requires that you present yourself as knowledgeable, but not all knowing. Allowing your readers to know that you still have questions, or don’t have all the answers, or that you are open to learning more information will help them connect with you on a very human level.
Asking questions that you are genuinely curious about will also allow readers to have some input, opening up discussion in the comment section of your article or blog. In this way, you can cultivate a community that creates its own content based off your questions. While you may write content and create a center for their interest, readers who feel a sense of community amongst one another may be prone to returning to your blog or website to consume your content and take part in the community you’ve developed.
5. Be Genuine
One component that rests at the core of any success in cultivating an audience and maintaining their loyalty to your content and work is being honest, being yourself, and being open about that. Consumers of content are attracted to things that they do not know or understand at times, but for the most part are drawn to realities that they feel familiar with in their own lives. People can be quite discerning and detect elements of dishonesty or too curated of a voice and image.
Make sure that when you speak to your audience, or write on subjects and topics they may be familiar with that you speak with authority and from a place of known experience. Being humble or honest, especially if covering a topic you are not entirely knowledgeable or comfortable with speaking on will impact how your audience perceives you moving forward. If you are honest about not knowing very much about a subject, they may be more forgiving and grant you a pass versus detecting that you are lying about your experience or expertise and being turned off.
6. Show An Interest In Your Followers
Asking your audience questions, or to provide additional information to the topics and subjects you write about is one way to increase engagement with your followers. Another thing you can do to show them that you are interested and invested in their thoughts, and want to continue to engage them, is to include them in your writing. You can reply to their comments in the the comment section, or you can find a way to integrate their responses into your writing. This kind of engaged article writing encourages readers in your audience to keep coming back, to share your content, and to engage in your content, as they feel as if they are being heard. There may also be a sense of excitement that something they say or discuss might be included in your next article or blog post.
Conclusion
Writing an engaging article or relatable article has a lot to do with learning to become an engaging voice or person. It is less about becoming a more relatable person, and making sure the voice you write in speaks in a relatable manner. Most people are relatable in ways they do not yet understand, and successfully attracting and engaging with like minded readers and audiences is a skill that can be worked on and mastered over time.