Tips for Increasing Reader Engagement with Curated Content

A concept that changed how I write: The Empathy Equation.  Let’s unpack it together 👇 We all know a thing or two about empathy. But when it comes to writing, empathy is not just about understanding your readers' feelings… It's about embedding that understanding into your content to build a lasting connection. And without a connection - readers are less likely to engage with your content. This leads to 0 likes, comments, reposts, etc.…and that’s no bueno. Let's explore 6 actionable ways to apply The Empathy Equation to your writing: 1. Discover What Your Readers Want How? Go to the comments. You'll find what resonates with them. Their struggles. Aspirations - you name it. Use it to create content. ...you might even stumble on some amazing burns, too. 2. Share Relatable Personal Stories We've all heard that you want your audience to know, like, and trust you, and one of THE best ways to do that is by sharing personal stories. Tip: include examples that mirror your readers' experiences. ↳ You could write about your struggles with public speaking and how you overcame them, paralleling the fears many of your readers might have. (just a thought) 3. Choose Empathetic Language Use phrases that show understanding and support ⇢ Make your readers feel heard and valued. A quick example: “If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with creating content, you’re not alone. Many of us have been there...” 4. Solve Your Readers’ Problems You want to provide clear, practical advice on your audience's common challenges. One way to do this is to offer a step-by-step guide (kinda like this post...) 5. Engage Directly with Your Audience This is obvious, but seriously folks, respond to your comments and messages. This creates a 2-way conversation that deepens connections. (And don't just rewrite what they said or worse, write, "I love this!") 6. Incorporate Reader Feedback Sometimes feedback can hurt. Believe me. I know... But use their suggestions to shape future content. Maybe after receiving several questions about balancing work and personal life, you would write a post with tips on this topic, mentioning how reader feedback inspired it. -- Remember, empathy in writing isn't just a tool - it's a way to genuinely connect and grow with your audience. Apply some of the steps above. See what happens. It might just transform your brand into one that's not only followed but deeply respected and possibly even...loved. ----- Enjoyed this post? Share it with your network to help others grow their brand. And if you want more content like this, give me a follow: Nick Maciag Write on, Nick

I helped grow Forbes Investor Hub from 0 to 1,500,000 page views from 2022 to 2023 Here are 9 lessons I learned that anyone can apply to their content: 1. Identifying Your Audience We were crystal clear on the who of our content. Create content consumer profiles to get specific on: Who will want your content What they are trying to achieve What problems they are currently struggling with 2. Audience Levels of Awareness In any given market there are different levels of awareness: Problem Unaware Problem Aware, Solution Unaware Problem Aware, Solution Aware Problem Aware, Solution Aware, Solution Ready The content that performs best at level 1 is dramatically different from the content that performs best at level 5 Map your content topics to each of the 5 audience awareness levels (I call this content mapping) 3. Craft Unlimited Content Ideas Identify 3-5 pillars to create content around Ours were: Investing Basics Best Stocks Emerging Trends Retirement Income List out every topic, problem or idea related to each of your pillars Leverage tools like ChatGPT, Answer the Public and YouTube to help ideate Optimize for as many ideas as possible, don't eliminate any during this phase (divergent thinking) 4. Validating Content Ideas Take the list of content ideas and run them through organic research tools: Ahrefs Reddit SEMRush Google Trends Use social and organic channels to validate the relative interest in each topic Only pick the ones with the highest interest levels 5. Pains and Benefits Every piece of content must have speak to a specific reader pain point and offer a solution to that pain point: Confused on what stocks to buy > Best stocks list Struggles to stay ahead of trends > Best investing trends Doesn't know how to invest in AI > Best AI Opportunities Identify the pain point, offer a clear solution 6. Hooks and Attention People want great content, but we need to grab their attention first Use any of the following for stronger hooks: Social Proof Big Numbers Group Callout Negativity Bias Knowledge Gap Problem Statement Implied Transformation 7. Optimize for the Reader Great content should look great and be easy to consume Improve the readability of your content by using: Lists Images White space Sub-headings Variation in length Frequent line breaks The easier your content is to read and skim, the better 8. Increase Retention Optimize your micro and macro retention Micro retention is how long someone stays on a single piece of content Macro retention is how long someone stays with your brand 9. Leverage the Different Platform Cultures Great content will perform well on every channel, but how you package that content matters equally What works on search needs to be tweaked for X What works on YouTube needs to be tweaked for Tik-Tok Each platform has a slightly different preference in the style and delivery of content

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬? ✔ Add value, ❌ don't spam In an era where #AI-driven content is flooding inboxes and feeds, standing out demands more than just showing up; it requires delivering undeniable value. 🙋♂️ Here's how to ensure your content not only reaches your audience but resonates with them deeply: • 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬: Share shortcuts and insider tips that offer your audience a clear advantage, setting you apart as a trusted advisor. • 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Use compelling statistics to support your arguments, lending credibility and depth to your content. • 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬: Break down complex ideas into straightforward, actionable steps, making your content a go-to resource. • 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬: Introduce habits that lead to success, offering a blueprint for personal or professional growth. • 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬: Share insights from your journey, including successes and failures, to humanize your content and foster a deeper connection. • 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬: Identify frequent pitfalls in your industry and guide your audience on how to avoid them showcasing your commitment to their success. • 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬: Use relatable examples to illustrate your points, making your content more engaging and understandable. • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Stimulate thought and engagement by posing questions that challenge conventional wisdom or provoke curiosity. • 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬: Direct your audience to further resources, enriching their learning journey and demonstrating your role as a helpful guide. • 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Keep your finger on the pulse of your industry to offer fresh, relevant content that addresses current trends and concerns. 💡 Remember, the key to standing out isn't just about avoiding spammy tactics; 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. #contentmarketing #b2bsales

Do you want a simple and actionable playbook to become more empathetic towards your audience? I got you! No one wants to see their content fall flat; disengagement is the last thing on a creator's wish list. This is why you should make empathy your content creation superpower. Here's your playbook to adopt empathy in your GTM plan: 1. Survey Your Audience [Why]: Run targeted surveys to understand your audience's pain points and preferences. [Example]: Noticed a dip in engagement? Ask your audience what topics they'd love to see—craft content based on their responses for an instant engagement boost. 2. Create Audience Persona [Why]: Create detailed personas for different audience segments to tailor content more precisely. [Example]: Develop personas like "Busy Professionals" or "Tech Enthusiasts" based on demographics and interests. Craft content that directly speaks to each persona for a more personalized connection. 3. Engagement Analytics [Why]: Analyze engagement metrics to identify what resonates and what falls flat. [Example]: Use platform analytics to track the performance of different content types. If short tutorials get more views and comments, prioritize that content style for increased engagement. 4. Active Listening on Social Media [Why]: Monitor social media conversations related to your content niche. [Example]: Engage in conversations, respond to comments, and join relevant groups. This active listening provides insights into trending topics and audience sentiments. 5. Storytelling with a Purpose [Why]: Share personal stories that align with your audience's experiences. [Example]: Narrate a personal challenge you overcame related to your niche. This not only establishes a connection but also inspires your audience. 6. Interactive Content Elements [Why]: Incorporate your content's polls, quizzes, or interactive elements. [Example]: Create a poll asking for preferences or opinions. It not only gathers valuable data but also boosts engagement through direct participation. In a nutshell, Empathy isn't just a buzzword; it's a series of actionable steps that can transform your content game. Start implementing these tactics, and watch your audience connection and engagement levels soar!

Feeling like LinkedIn is a ghost town with your content left unnoticed? Don't worry, you're not alone! This is my solution for that. 👇 Let's dive into some strategies to awaken the LinkedIn community and boost your content engagement: 1️⃣ Understand your audience: To make people engage with your content, you need to know who they are and what they care about. Take a step back and analyze your target audience's interests, pain points, and aspirations. Tailor your content to resonate with their needs and desires. 2️⃣ Craft compelling headlines: Your headline is the first impression your content makes. Make it attention-grabbing, intriguing, and concise. Spark curiosity and make people eager to click and explore your content further. 3️⃣ Create valuable content: People engage with content that provides value, educates, entertains, or solves a problem. Share your expertise, offer insights, or provide actionable tips. Aim to be a reliable resource for your audience, and they'll keep coming back for more. 4️⃣ Leverage multimedia: Don't limit yourself to plain text. Utilize the power of visuals, such as images, videos, infographics, or slideshows. Visual content is more likely to catch the eye and evoke a response from your audience. 5️⃣ Spark conversations with questions: Encourage engagement by asking thought-provoking questions related to your content. Invite your audience to share their thoughts, experiences, or opinions. This approach stimulates discussions and creates a sense of community around your content. 6️⃣ Engage with others: Building a network goes beyond self-promotion. Actively engage with other professionals' content by liking, commenting, and sharing. By initiating conversations and providing valuable insights, you'll attract attention and reciprocation from your peers. 7️⃣ Engage in LinkedIn groups: Groups are treasure troves of engagement opportunities. Join relevant groups in your industry or areas of interest, and actively participate in discussions. Offer valuable contributions, share your expertise, and connect with like-minded professionals who are more likely to engage with your content. 8️⃣ Optimize posting times: Timing is crucial on LinkedIn. Experiment with different posting times and analyze when your audience is most active. This ensures that your content appears in their feed when they are most likely to engage. 9️⃣ Collaborate with influencers: Partnering with influencers in your industry can significantly boost your content's reach and engagement. Seek opportunities to collaborate on joint content, co-create, or cross-promote each other. Their followers may become your engaged audience too. 🎯 Remember, building engagement on LinkedIn takes time and persistence. Stay consistent, experiment with different strategies, and adapt based on the feedback you receive. Engagement will grow organically as you nurture relationships and provide value to your audience.