6 Tips for Getting Your Audience’s Attention and Keeping It

There are literally thousands of new articles posted to the Internet every day. Obviously, you’re not going to read all of them; no one is. It’s not just that we don’t have the time, but also that we don’t have the attention span. Simply put, as the Web becomes increasingly inundated with content, readers are becoming choosier about what it is they choose to read. The uphill battle that content marketers face is not only grabbing the attention of their audience, but also holding it, from the headline all the way down to the call to action.

Take blogging, for example. You can write a blog entry every day, each one better than the last; you can give away incredible information that enhances your brand and adds real value to the reader experience. If you don’t have any readers, though—or if they tune out after they get past the first couple of sentences—then what good is it doing you?

There is no magic spell or secret blueprint that guarantees you’ll have the attention of your audience—but there are a few strategies that can help you stack the deck in your favor.

1. You don’t start with the body of your post; you start with the headline. The headline is the first thing readers will see, and if it’s not a good one, then it will also be the last. On average, five times as many people read the headline as do the body copy. Begin crafting your post with a headline that powerfully and concisely addresses the reader, promising immediate value; let them know that if they take the time to read this post, they will not only be intrigued, but they will also come away from it with helpful actionable information.


2. Keep to the one-idea-per-post rule. Every diversion you take in your blog post—every side road you go down, veering away from your main point—is like an exit ramp for your readers. To keep attention from wandering, set a clear thesis and then stick to it throughout your supporting points.


3. Throw in a quote or two, as appropriate. People like inspiring or authoritative quotes from people in the know. Bringing a well-known, credible expert into your post might keep your reader’s attention piqued for a bit longer than it might be otherwise.


4. Streamline your post, keeping it appealingly lean and concise. Pretend you’re writing it as an email to a friend. Take out the language that’s extravagant, flowery, or overly technical. Stick to the important things, and don’t overwrite.


5. Make each post scannable. You’re going to get some readers who simply aren’t going to go through every word of your post, no matter how enticing you make it—but if you can persuade them to at least skim the post, you may still come out with a social media share or a response to your call to action. Use subject sub-headings and/or bullet points and numbered lists to smoothly guide readers and skimmers through your content.


6. When in doubt, call in a professional. At Grammar Chic, Inc., we are well versed and highly experienced in penning blog posts that get—and keep—attention.

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