Musings
Attracting Readers
You are justifiable proud of the articles you write. Have you ever wondered why people are, or are not, reading your blogs and new sletters. It can be difficult to capture the reader's attention, but there are a few simple ways to make your writings more readable.
Keep in mind that most people have short interest spans; and in our fast-paced society, most people just scan the beginning of the article to see if it something they want to read. If the article doesn't hook them in the first couple of sentences, they will pass on to something else.
Long articles are often skipped. If you have an important message try breaking it up into smaller chapters. Leave the end of each chapter open so the reader will be anxious to read the next part. Use bold titles that can act like headlines to attract attention. Formatting around shot, eye-catching sections will entice the reader to read on.
Bulleted or numbered lists and inforaphics also work well to hook readers. It has been shown that the first thing that catches the readers eye is, in numerical order:
1. pictures or graphics
2. text is the caption below the graphic
3 the first couple of sentences of the article.
This gives you three other lures to your copy.
If your writing is going to be published online include links to more information, particularly if the linked article re-enforces your position. The only caution is to use them sparingly, no more than two or three per post. Also, be sure that your links open in a new window. This way you won't lose your reader.
Good writing takes practice. Using some of these suggestions will help you get better. If possible, hold your article overnight before you publish it, just in case you want to edit it with a fresh eye.
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