When writing great content, there is a certain pride that comes with ideas jumping to mind and words flowing onto a page. It’s fulfilling, even exciting.
Sometimes, however, the work doesn’t quite receive the readership or reception you expected. You then revise in hopes of catching the eyes of readers and regaining their attention. So many writers have been there, done that. However, hope should not be lost; some subtle writing tweaks and key reminders can make a big difference.
These four tips can help you create more reader-friendly content.
1. Timeliness
Although your writing is almost certainly important in your eyes, you’ll want to be sure it isn’t too narrow of a topic. If you write content that fits with a specific holiday or seasonal theme, complete it about 2-3 months prior to publishing. Most magazines and publications prepare months ahead for upcoming issues, so it is always best to plan early. Regardless of the time of year, also be sure to make content applicable to a wide range of readers.
View a calendar of themes and publication time frames
2. Audience
Readers seek content that is engaging and relatable. From age to educational background, knowing your audiences’ demographics can be a huge help when trying to connect with their interests. Understanding the type of content that caters to your readers can help your writing become more eye-catching and appealing.
3. Limit Overt Branding
Promotional content can be a turn-off to readers, particularly when they see an abundance of brand or product mentions. It usually gives off more of a “sales-y” tone than editorial. If you do desire the inclusion of promotional language, try to keep it to a minimum to keep readers attentive to the overall message you’re trying to convey. Most editors avoid 
picking up overly branded content for their magazines, newspapers and websites.
4. Descriptive Storytelling
In the end, readers want the content to be interesting, meaning it should inform or entertain. Write in a way that a reader can visualize the subject matter. Describe the topic, use imagery and write as if you are sharing breaking news you can’t wait for people to read. This starts with an engaging headline and trickles down to the last sentence that concludes the work. Your excitement can speak volumes and draw people in.
See how our reader-friendly content captured attention for our clients
Nashia Baker
Nashia serves as the Editorial Assistant at Family Features Editorial Syndicate. She uses her journalism skills to create and edit multimedia content, help administer online file distribution to Family Features' vast network of publishers, and prep images as a member of the production team. She is a 2017 graduate from the University of Kansas. While a student-athlete at KU, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism, specializing in News and Information, and also minored in Spanish.