avatarDerek Hughes

Summary

The article outlines four key points that writers should convey to capture their audience's attention and encourage them to read their content.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the importance of crafting effective headlines and introductions to attract readers. It suggests that writers should clearly articulate the topic, define their target audience, promise a reward for reading, and ensure the content is easy to consume. By addressing these four questions—What is this about? Is this for me? What's the reward? Is it easy?—writers can significantly increase the likelihood that their work will be read and appreciated. The author, drawing from personal experience, provides examples and practical tips to help writers improve their engagement with readers, ultimately leading to a larger audience and potential income.

Opinions

  • Clear and specific headlines are crucial for reader engagement; cryptic titles should be avoided.
  • Tailoring content to a specific audience increases relevance and reader interest.
  • Highlighting the benefits or rewards of reading the content can entice readers who are looking to solve problems or gain valuable insights.
  • Writing should be accessible and effortless to read, with short paragraphs, simple language, and bullet points to reduce reader fatigue.
  • The use of numbers in titles can add specificity and power, making the content more appealing.
  • Promising a clear benefit in the title without overpromising is key to avoiding clickbait while still attracting readers.
  • The article suggests that writers should focus on the reader's potential gains from the content rather than just the content itself.
  • The author advoc

You’ll Get More Readers If You Tell Them These 4 Things

How to grab people’s attention so they read your gems

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: (pexels)

I used to struggle to get people to read my writing.

It’s the worst feeling in the world. You spend hours & hours crafting your masterpiece. Then feel gutted when it is ignored. Whatever you want to achieve with your writing:

  • earn cash
  • help others
  • build your brand

You need to know how to seize attention.

In March I discovered what works from Eve Arnold. I’m going to share this so you can use the same tactics to grow your audience.

This has gained me followers and a nice income every month.

The attention secret

It isn’t easy grabbing people’s attention.

There is so much screaming for their eyes. And the only weapon you have is a single sentence — the headline.

It’s crazy to think one sentence carries all the responsibility. But unless it stops people in their tracks and draws their attention. Your writing is wasted.

Here’s the secret you need to know.

When someone sees your writing. They are in decision mode. They quickly ask 4 questions — which determine if they will click. Your job is to give 4 incredible answers.

1. What is this about?

Be crystal clear on the topic.

Cryptic (& supposedly clever) headlines are unhelpful. If people are uncertain they move on. Avoid puns and wordplay. State your topic simply.

Tease and raise curiousity, without giving the answer away.

Notice this article isn’t called ‘Your title needs to be clear’ because that gives the game away. Give them enough to know the topic but leave them wanting more.

Being specific adds extra power. Numbers are the easiest way to do this. 3 tips. 7 mistakes. 4 questions.

Once a reader realises what the article is about they ask the next question:

2. Is this for me?

People want to know whether they are the sort of person who should read this.

A classic mistake is to be too general. Readers who are interested in your topic are not all the same. Make it clear who this is to win more readers.

For example:

You are helping people make money online by creating a business. These people are different:

  • someone aiming to do this full-time
  • someone who loves their job and wants to do this on the side
  • a 16-year-old with limited life experience but loads of spare time
  • a single mum with caring responsibilities and 1 hour spare each afternoon

Knowing who you are writing for helps you frame your title. Specific is more attractive than general.

Compare these:

How to make money online

How to make money online in only 1 hour a day

How to make money online and escape your job

How to make money online (even if you are still at school)

The first title will get ignored by everyone. But the others will attract their target audience because they’ll think — this is for me.

Be clear on the topic and the audience. And you are halfway there.

3. What’s the reward?

People want to gain from your writing. They weigh up the benefits to see if it is worth reading.

New writers focus on themselves and their content. This is a mistake.

But I understand why. Writing is hard work. You need to zoom out and think about your reader. Why would they spend time reading this? What will they gain?

People are looking to:

  • solve problems
  • make money
  • save time
  • ease pain

If you can help with these readers will read your stuff. Make this clear in your title & intro.

In my editing checklist, I always ask if can I make the benefit stronger in the title.

Here’s some of my examples (benefits in bold):

5 ways I’ve improved my writing (and exploded my views 10x)

Improve your writing in 15 minutes with this simple editing checklist

Become a resilient writer with these 5 mental models (10x your willpower)

Defeat writer’s block with these 3 steps

I know some people are uncomfortable with this. Wanting to steer away from clickbait. But it’s only clickbait if a title overpromises.

You serve your readers by making it clear what you can offer them.

Make your writing irresistible with a strong promise.

4. Is it easy?

Knowing which piece of fruit is left in the bowl, will help you become a better writer.

The answer is the orange.

Because an orange involves an effort to peel. So the easier fruit gets chosen first.

A tiny amount of friction dramatically changes people’s behaviour. It’s why Amazon’s one-click buying system makes them so much money.

The lesson for you?

Reduce friction in your writing. Remove anything that makes it hard work for the reader.

  • Make your paragraphs short. No big blocks of text
  • Scatter some 1 sentence paragraphs
  • Choose easy-to-understand words
  • Make sentences short and sharp
  • Use bullets

Hemingway is brilliant at spotting complicated sentences & words.

If it’s not easy to read it won’t get read.

Use these 4 questions as a guide when you are crafting your titles and introductions. Offer great answers and you’ll draw a flood of readers.

If you liked this, you’ll love my newsletter. One practical tip every Wednesday. To upgrade your writing skills and grow online.

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