Common Mistakes Content Writers Make
These days, a high quality ad copy is vital for a successful online marketing campaign.
It is up to the content writer to make sure that the company's message clearly gets across the target audience.
This means that any mistake made in the content copy, has a huge impact and is something that a writer, whether he or she is a newbie or a veteran, should watch out for.
The most common mistakes content writers make are - * Stuffing the article with keywords - Using SEO keywords correctly will definitely drive traffic to your site, but stuffing your article with repetitive keywords is unnatural and will likely end with your work being flagged as spam.
* Information overload - Ramming too much information down your reader's throats is the fastest way to lose them.
A good content writer knows how to catch the reader's attention by using information that would grab their attention, before reeling them in with other details.
* Writing long, rambling paragraphs - A good copy should be short and sweet.
People tend to do a quick initial scan of the article, as they do not want to sift through so many words just to get to the information they need.
So, articles should be broken down into easy to read paragraphs that are short enough to retain the reader's attention.
* Using the article as a soapbox - Online content should be more than just a soapbox for a blogger to talk about himself or to brag about a company and its values.
Readers do not want to read page after page on how great one company is; they want information.
* Using the wrong style of writing - A lot of writers make the mistake of writing online content in a style that does not fit the target audience.
For example, if you are writing for a retail business and you use very technical terms, then your audience will not stick around long enough to see what else you have to say.
Effective content writers always take the time to do research on their client and the target market.
* Using the passive voice - Passive sentences are not grammatically wrong, but they do come off as weak and rambling.
It is better to use the active voice to make the tone of your sentences stronger and more direct.
* Inconsistent and confusing tone - When the article starts off on one tone and suddenly shifts to another, then it becomes confusing and makes it more difficult to sell your brand or idea.
A good content writer would be able to establish a specific tone and maintain it throughout the article.
* Writing fluff - This is the type of article that might be full of words but is empty of any vital content.
Remember that when readers visit a particular blog or webpage, they come for information.
If they leave feeling confused, then something's wrong.
It is also doubtful that the reader would come back.
* Forgetting to cite sources - Remember that when you share specific data or use a quote, you have to mention your source.
Acknowledging people or other websites shows that you are trustworthy and know when to give credit when it is due.
Making these mistakes, when writing content, shows a level of unprofessional attitude and carelessness, that would also reflect badly on the client.
To avoid any such mistakes, a content writer should always proofread his work, before submitting it to the client.
It is up to the content writer to make sure that the company's message clearly gets across the target audience.
This means that any mistake made in the content copy, has a huge impact and is something that a writer, whether he or she is a newbie or a veteran, should watch out for.
The most common mistakes content writers make are - * Stuffing the article with keywords - Using SEO keywords correctly will definitely drive traffic to your site, but stuffing your article with repetitive keywords is unnatural and will likely end with your work being flagged as spam.
* Information overload - Ramming too much information down your reader's throats is the fastest way to lose them.
A good content writer knows how to catch the reader's attention by using information that would grab their attention, before reeling them in with other details.
* Writing long, rambling paragraphs - A good copy should be short and sweet.
People tend to do a quick initial scan of the article, as they do not want to sift through so many words just to get to the information they need.
So, articles should be broken down into easy to read paragraphs that are short enough to retain the reader's attention.
* Using the article as a soapbox - Online content should be more than just a soapbox for a blogger to talk about himself or to brag about a company and its values.
Readers do not want to read page after page on how great one company is; they want information.
* Using the wrong style of writing - A lot of writers make the mistake of writing online content in a style that does not fit the target audience.
For example, if you are writing for a retail business and you use very technical terms, then your audience will not stick around long enough to see what else you have to say.
Effective content writers always take the time to do research on their client and the target market.
* Using the passive voice - Passive sentences are not grammatically wrong, but they do come off as weak and rambling.
It is better to use the active voice to make the tone of your sentences stronger and more direct.
* Inconsistent and confusing tone - When the article starts off on one tone and suddenly shifts to another, then it becomes confusing and makes it more difficult to sell your brand or idea.
A good content writer would be able to establish a specific tone and maintain it throughout the article.
* Writing fluff - This is the type of article that might be full of words but is empty of any vital content.
Remember that when readers visit a particular blog or webpage, they come for information.
If they leave feeling confused, then something's wrong.
It is also doubtful that the reader would come back.
* Forgetting to cite sources - Remember that when you share specific data or use a quote, you have to mention your source.
Acknowledging people or other websites shows that you are trustworthy and know when to give credit when it is due.
Making these mistakes, when writing content, shows a level of unprofessional attitude and carelessness, that would also reflect badly on the client.
To avoid any such mistakes, a content writer should always proofread his work, before submitting it to the client.
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