8 Tips for Writing Articles That Will Keep Readers Hooked

Learn how to write captivating blog posts that will grab your readers’ attention and hold it until the very end with these helpful tips and tricks.

Remember when Chef Gusteau from Ratatouille said, “Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great”? Well, you can apply that same sentiment to blogging and say, “Anyone can write a blog post, but only the fearless bloggers can be truly great.”

Having a good idea or topic, decent spelling and grammar, and a strong understanding of essay writing is enough to create a “good” blog post. However, if you want to write a “great” blog post that elicits a response like, “Wow! I need to share this on Facebook!” rather than, “Meh, this is nothing special,” then you need to go beyond the basics.

So, here’s how you can take your blog posts to the next level:

6 Easy Tips to Craft Your Next Incredible Post

I’m not surprised to discover that people are reading less these days. There are just so many other things competing for our attention. But don’t worry, I’ve got some tips to help you grab readers’ attention right from the start. Let’s dive in!

1. Capture Their Interest with the Opening Line

The first sentence of your blog post is crucial. It needs to hook the reader and give them a taste of what’s to come. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

– Ask a thought-provoking question: “Ever wondered what a blog post and a sandwich have in common?”

– Start with a quote: As Ernest Hemingway once said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

– Use a surprising statistic: Did you know that according to the Official Federation of Bloggers*, 99.9 percent of bloggers struggle with writer’s block?

Now that you’ve got their attention, let’s move on to the next step.

1. Story – The other day, I had a moment just like Newton did. You know, the guy who supposedly had an apple fall on his head and came up with some groundbreaking ideas?

*Disclaimer: This is just a made-up story. There is no such thing as the Official Federation of Bloggers.

2. Make Every Word, Phrase & Sentence Count

Hey there! I know people’s attention spans are getting shorter these days, so it’s important to really grab their attention and keep it throughout your writing. That means every single word, phrase, sentence, and even punctuation mark needs to contribute something valuable to your piece.

Here’s a little trick: read your draft out loud. If it feels like you’re explaining things too slowly, or if you find yourself nodding off to the sound of your own voice (yikes!), you might need to cut out some unnecessary parts. Sometimes, your draft might feel like it’s missing something, so in that case, you can add more information to make your thoughts clearer or strengthen your arguments.

3. Try to Keep Your Sentences Short

When it comes to the tip, I’ve got a handy guide to help you figure out if you should chop down a super long sentence.

Does your brain turn to mush when you read a never-ending sentence? Do you find yourself gasping for air after reading it aloud? Are there way too many unnecessary words cluttering up the sentence?

If any of these things are happening, it’s time to cut it down! Otherwise, that long sentence is probably good to go.

10 Subreddits Where You Can Find the Writing Tips You Need

Maya Angelou once said, “There’s nothing worse than carrying an untold story inside you.” How true is that? You know what’s great, though? I’m here to help you out. Just keep reading.

4. Keep it Simple: Use Precise Words

Did you know that MS Word has a fancy feature called “Shift + F7” that throws out all sorts of fancy words? Well, let me tell you something – bombarding your readers with complex jargon is not the way to go. No one likes that. Fancy words not only make the reading experience sour, but they also make your blog post look all stiff and snobby.

Instead of trying to sound like a smarty-pants, just be sensible. Use words that actually convey your point and that people can actually understand. For example, instead of saying “utilize resources,” you can just say “use resources.”

5. Get Creative With Analogies

Blogging is like going on a date. It’s not just about making a good first impression, but also about showing that you’re someone worth investing time and love in, over and over again.

Get it? Got it? Good.

6. Add Some Pop Culture Flavor

Pop culture references spice up your blog post. They make you relatable and likable to your readers.

Of course, you should consider your audience when using these references. You might think “The Beatles” are the greatest rock band ever, but mentioning them to “One Direction” fans might not be the best idea.

7. Making Your Post Unique (Even If The Idea Isn’t)

Let’s be honest: it’s not easy to come up with completely original ideas for blog posts. If you search for your topic on Google, chances are someone has already written about it. But what can you do as a blogger in this situation? It’s actually quite simple.

Find a fresh perspective.

If someone has already written “5 Reasons Why You Should Try Freelancing,” you can write a post about the downside of freelancing, like “20 Reasons To Say ‘No’ To Freelancing.” Or you can take it a step further with “5 More Reasons Why You Should Try Freelancing.”

8. Wrap It Up with an Impactful Conclusion

But wait! There’s an alternative! Instead of leaving your article hanging, you can try a different approach. How about leaving your readers with a thought-provoking question or a call-to-action? Or maybe you could restate your main point and convince your readers why they should care about your message.

A Few More Tips (or in Other Words, a Conclusion)

Now, don’t get me wrong. These rules I’ve presented here aren’t set in stone. You’re free to use them, or not use them, depending on what works best for your writing. The most important thing is to consistently create content that is engaging, informative, and above all, unique. That’s what will keep your readers coming back for more.