5 Insanely simple tweaks to create better content (you can implement number 4 today)

If you’re reading this, it proves that you are someone who is committed to create better content. With a ton of content being created every single day, average content doesn’t stand a chance. In fact, the competition to get eyeballs is so fierce so that you cannot even afford to do something okayish.

And oh boy, creating great content doesn’t have to be that overwhelming. In this post, I reveal five stupidly simple tweaks that will help you create better content.

Before we dig in, let us be clear on what is meant by better content. I know, you must be thinking, Dev, I’m here for the tips, not a tutorial on great content. I get it.

Trust me here, when you know what constitutes great content, you might not even need to scroll further. (Tell me, who else is gonna take that risk? But I’m here to make your content amazing and that will remain my top priority always, not the traffic or time spent on page.)

12 Differences – Average content vs Better content

Oh boy, I can go on and on! Of course, because there is so much of average content on the internet. This is one of the biggest reasons why so many brands do not achieve success with their content marketing efforts despite producing high volume of content.

Ok, here are 5 insanely simple tweaks that you can start doing today to create better content. Already created something? I got your back. These tweaks can be easily implemented into any existing piece of content. Are you ready? Jump in!

5 Insanely Simple Tweaks to Create Better Content

Better Content Tweak 01: Change the headline

Remember how you scroll past a ton of content when you are online? Also, remember how some posts just catch your attention making you click.

Well, that’s the power of a great headline. And its not me, here my favorite folks from Copyblogger also say this about creating better content with headlines. In fact, Neil Patel posted about the technique to create great content by improving headlines in this video.

And here are some do’s to instantly make your headline go from boring to ‘this is getting a lot clicks ya’.

• Tease, pique curiosity but don’t reveal everything
• Always promise something (pinky promise like my IG posts, see here)
• Make it important by using power words like now, hurry, today, don’t miss
• Time code it e.g. in X hours, in X days, just X minutes every day etc
• Skip all ‘I’ for ‘You’, make it all about them
• Trigger a transformation e.g. to grow, to get better, to overcome, to improve etc

Sweet, eh! Ok, its time for the second tweak. It’s so simple you’ll feel like you are cheating for success. But trust me here, this stuff works, really. I have personally tried these across content platforms for more than a decade in my content marketing career.

Better Content Tweak 02: Make it scannable (yeah)

Ok, I said that. And you were expecting I would say make it readable, right? No, my friend. Gone are the days when you would get a cold audience that has the patience to read through it all. (Trust me, I am assuming no one is ever gonna read this line 😩).

Here’re 10 things you can do to make your content instantly scannable.

1. Break boring paragraphs into lists (yeah, just like this, champion)
2. Use numbered or unordered lists (numbered list works in favor of creating better content)
3. Use super short sentences (yeah, see I practice what I preach)
4. No one needs to know how strong your vocabulary is! Keep it simple as much as you can
5. Use lots of headings and sub-headings (H1, H2, H3, H4 there are so many folks)
6. Use tables
7. Use background highlight to emphasize key message
8. Use clear big buttons for all CTAs
9. Don’t make it 2000 words if 800 can do (I see you first-page greedy)
10. And finally, cut off all fluff (like this line shouldn’t be here)

How’s it going, content ninja? Yeah, you’re getting that feeling, eh, as you get closer to creating better content. 

Ok, time for the third one. You won’t believe I am writing this as a tweak. 

Better Content Tweak 03: Visuals. Visuals. Visuals.

Imagine if I had zero images in this post! You wouldn’t be here reading this, right? The one thing that separates average content from great or better content is images. The more the merrier. But hey there ninja, don’t turn your post into a Pinterest page. Balance, my folks, is the key.

Use this simple rule:

For every three paragraphs, use at least one (relevant) image, diagram, chart, table, quote, tweet, screen grab, your picture (too much, eh). Visuals break the monotony of text. And mostly, something that will take you a 100 words to explain can be easily achieved through one image.

I could have said it all with just this image below 😉. See, you can create better content, you just need to be intentional about it. And the fact that you are here reading this amazing post just proves that.

Let’s move to the fourth one. Yeah, the one I promised you can use today. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Better Content Tweak 04: Add one more way to consume the content

Oh yes, one isn’t enough anymore. You are talking to an audience that is always multi-tasking. Watching Netflix, chatting on social media, listening to a podcast, Zoom call on iPad, all at the same time. If you are writing a piece of content thinking you’ll get undivided attention, you’re gonna wait way too long my friend.

Here’s what you can do to spice up your content a little:

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1. Record the whole post and offer the readers to listen to it (it can get you started on Podcasts)
2. Make a short video summarizing the whole post in less than two minutes and offer them to watch it. (Don’t forget to insert your YouTube video so that you don’t lose out on views)

By doing this, you are not only adding multiple ways to consume the same content, you’re also opening up new avenues to repurpose your work.

Dev

How’s that for a cool trick to create better content? Ok, now that you know this, will you implement this in your posts? If you do, don’t forget to let me know by sharing your post with me on Instagram. Just tag me @dev.matharia. 

And we’re almost there. The final tweak to make your content stand out from the rest. Ready? Let’s do this, champion.

Better Content Tweak 05: Keep them hooked

Let’s face it. It’s not easy to get eyeballs these days. If your content is not supercharged with goodness or you don’t already have an established community, you’ll find it difficult to keep that bounce rate low.

Hey, don’t get disheartened. We all start from somewhere and there are still a few things you can do to up the ante and keep those visitors glued to your content.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Don’t just offer one post. Tell a story by adding links to various other posts
2. Keep them interested with downloads, cheat sheets, resources
3. Add highly targeted and relevant links to your blog or social media or YouTube channel
4. Offer a freebie and get them on your list

And that’s a wrap! Aren’t these tweaks to create better content instantly actionable? Well, that’s what my goal is – creating content that is zero fluff and highly actionable. 

I would be so grateful if you can support me by leaving a comment or sharing this post with someone who needs to know this.

Conclusion

I got you sprinter! 🏃🏽‍♂️If you skipped everything to checkout what’s right at the end, its alright. Here’re the five simple tweaks to create better content.

1. Change your headline
2. Make it scannable
3. Add a lot of visuals (images, videos, embeds, quotes, lists)
4. Add one more way to consume the content
5. Keep them hooked by telling a story