Writing a content article isn’t easy. Yet, to drive search engine results and bolster your SEO efforts, content is just as important – if not more so – than all other on-page elements. Not only does it help target keywords and build backlinks, but content articles – when done right – can position your business as an industry expert, which Google rewards you for in full.
Sadly, there’s no secret formula or quick trick hacks for producing high-quality content. However, this guide will teach you some useful tips on improving the standard of your work. Are you ready to learn? Here’s how to write a content article.
Start with an Outline
When learning how to write a content article, it is highly recommended to begin with an outline – which is particularly advantageous if you’re working on a piece that will go beyond the 1,000-word mark.
Here are the main reasons to use an article outline:
- It ensures your content will hit all the major points you intend to cover.
- You put together your ideas in an organised way.
- A greater structure is achieved because you see your content from a “vantage point”, something which isn’t always possible while in the middle of writing.
Additionally, you don’t have to go overboard with your outline. Article outlines typically maintain the same form no matter the content, so you can use a tried-and-tested article template and go from there. For most articles, the structure goes:
- Introduction
- Body (with subheadings on each point)
- Conclusion
For instance, a list-type article will begin with an intro, cover each item with subheadings, and finish with a quick conclusion – simple but effective.
Decide on Content-Length
A common question we see is this: how long should a content marketing article be?’ You will likely find different answers depending on the sources you read.
With that said, the general consensus highlights that articles under 300 words are poor for SEO purposes. While articles that sit between 300 and 600 words were the standard not long ago, these are also seen as too short these days – particularly if you aim to reach the first page of search results for popular keywords.
Normally, the starting point for a content article’s word count should be 1,000 words. This number will give you ample room to write enough detailed information on the subjects you want to cover, along with the space to incorporate keywords and backlinks that will boost your article’s organic search visibility.
However, according to HubSpot data, the ideal length of an article should sit between 2,100-2,400 words. Whatever word count you aim for, always remember that you shouldn’t stretch content out for the sake of hitting a certain figure. Filler and fluff will only hamper the overall quality of your article, which readers and Google don’t like.
Grab Attention with Your Headline
Even if you’ve crafted a masterpiece, it’ll count for little if you fail to grab your audience’s attention. So, when learning how to write SEO content articles, it’s essential to understand how to market your work – and that begins with a head-turning headline.
Fail to stir any emotion from your headline, and a reader won’t be interested in seeing what you’ve written. With that in mind, what do you need to know when learning how to create content article headlines? Here are a few tips:
- Make an emotional appeal
- Be straightforward and snappy
- Hook the reader without ruining the ending
- Add your main keyword
- Use digits rather than words when writing numbers
- Generate a sense of urgency
- Avoid copying the competition
- Minimise the word count as much as possible
Reel Your Audience in with a Strong Introduction
If you’re wondering how to write a content article that keeps the reader’s attention, the first step is to hook them with your introduction. Of course, your headline can only do so much – but your opening paragraph is the driving force behind users deciding to carry on reading or leave the page.
Ideally, the first sentence should be short, to the point, and capture people’s attention immediately. Whether you’re entertaining the reader or challenging their viewpoint, you need them to feel something – something that stirs their emotions.
Once the introduction is complete, this should then lead logically and smoothly into the main body of the article’s content.
Find the Right Voice
Forget about writing with the same style as everyone else. You should find a unique voice, one that’s reflective of how you want to portray your brand’s personality. When learning how to write a content article with a particular tone of voice, you must align this tone with your brand persona, business objectives, and target audience.
For example, if you operate within the healthcare industry, you want to avoid using a humorous, loose writing style. Inappropriate comedy and informal speech aren’t always examples of good bedside manner, after all. On the other hand, if you’re a fashion brand selling goods to young people, you might want to use the kind of language that resonates with them – like trendy, punchy text with cool slang.
Whatever your niche, you can take your article to the next level in terms of individuality and style when using the right voice. A great tone of voice appropriate for your industry and audience is also a surefire way of attracting a loyal following for your website’s content.
Retain Attention
If you’re publishing articles with a hefty word count, that’s a lot of text for readers to get through. That’s certainly the case if they face a seemingly endless wall of text, with no breaks in the format that can help them reset their focus.
When perfecting how to write SEO content articles, you must retain readers’ attention as much as possible, making the text easy to read from start to finish. This goal can be achieved by making intelligent additions and formatting changes to the piece, including:
- Adding relevant photos, GIFs, and videos throughout the article
- Utilising subheadings frequently to break up content
- Bullet-point lists to provide info in a concise, attention-grabbing fashion
- Putting the spotlight on a quote from an industry expert
Edit the Article
Before you publish your article, you’ll need to review the content through a round of editing. This process can spot grammar mistakes, spelling errors and typos, problems with content flow, formatting issues, and general areas for improvement.
Even if it’s only a quick 20-minute revisit, it’s possible to make significant – and worthwhile – enhancements to your article that truly make a difference to its overall quality and readership value.
Conclusion
The above steps have shown you how to write SEO content articles more successfully. However, this knowledge is only valuable if you put it into practice. The more you practice and produce articles, the more your understanding and skills in creating SEO-friendly content grow. Practice always makes perfect, and there’s no substitute for it.
Do You Need Content Articles?
Not everyone has the time to write articles, especially business owners and company managers. Fortunately, there’s a better solution; professional content writing services – which our experts here at Click Intelligence provide on a daily basis.
With decades of experience in digital marketing and SEO, we’re one of the UK’s leading digital marketing agencies operating worldwide – and we can create content articles tailored to your brand to boost your search engine ranking and keep your target audience engaged.
Having worked with clients in over 40 industries – as well as a 97% client retention rate – we know how to craft unique SEO-enriched content that yields results every time, no matter your company’s niche. Don’t believe us? Why not chat with one of our content and SEO experts today and let them explain how we can take your business to the next level?
