The 5Rs of Content Creation
Creating new content is not an easy task. Most people get a brain lock whenever they try to write new materials.
However, if you want to be a successful Internet marketer, you know you have to come up with fresh and interesting content regularly. Otherwise, your traffic will dry up and hard-earned subscribers will lose interest. How do you overcome this challenge?
It’s simple, just follow my 5Rs of content creation and things will start to flow a lot smoother.
1. RESEARCH
Even before I fire up the trusty word processor, the first thing I do is head to Google’s Keyword Tool to research phrases that people are using to search. I start with something related to a topic and get ideas from there. For example, “content creation.” That led me to other popular search terms like blog content creation, content creation help, online content creation etc.
Without thoroughly researching your ideas, you’ll find yourself running out of ideas to write about and/or guessing on what your readers would be interested in learning. You’d be surprised how many different ideas and directions you can branch out to from your initial thought after doing your research.
Of course, Google is not the only source of content ideas. Try visiting popular forums and reading about the different questions being asked around your topic or try Yahoo! Answers.
Bottom line – better research leads to better content.
2. REARRANGE
I always start my content creation with an outline. This helps me to organize my thoughts, rearrange ideas until I get a good flow going. Then I flesh out the bullet points into full-blown paragraphs. An outline also helps to create a roadmap as you progress from chapter to chapter until you finish your eBook or report.
To see a screen shot of my outline (partial) from one of my latest eBooks, head over to my blog.
3. REVEAL
Adding a few personal touches or sharing anecdotes can go a long way in humanizing your content. No one likes to read text that sounds like a sermon.
Share stories or provide examples like I have done above to make it more interesting and help your readers connect with their own situation.
Revealing some personal experiences is very important especially if you are writing about a technical topic. A picture is worth a thousand words and can quickly simplify a complex concept that otherwise would take you many words to explain. Studies have shown that people retain information quicker and longer when you engage their visual senses.
4. READ
If you are going to edit your own content (never a good idea) then the best way is to read your text aloud. I print my copy and then read it back to myself. This forces me to read every word rather than allow my mind to autosuggest words that are not there.
Don’t just rely on the automatic spelling and grammar checker. For example, no software in the world can flag the error between their and there. Here are some more common mistakes; lose and loose, it's for its and further vs. farther.
I use a professional copyediting service to proof read my final manuscript before I publish it into an eBook. Believe me, it is well worth the expense.
If you can’t afford the cost, have a friend who has never seen your copy read it and allow them to critique your content freely. You don’t have to accept all their suggestions but at least you’ll have the benefit of another pair of eyes having reviewed your content.
5. REVISE
Our brains have two parts – the left side is analytical and the right side is visual and tends to see the whole picture. Use both sides of your brain when writing content but one side at a time.
Let the right half of your brain start writing as the creative juices flow. Don’t interrupt it by stopping to correct errors (other than obvious typos).
Once you have your first draft completed, allow the left side of your brain to take over and start being critical and analytical as you go over your copy.
Rearrange words, paragraphs and may be entire chapters until you feel comfortable how each paragraph and chapter flows into the next respectively. This is where you need to wear your editor’s hat rather than be the creative writer.
Don’t be afraid to tear apart your initial outline if you think it will improve the product. Just be careful that perfectionism doesn’t stop you from launching your masterpiece altogether.
I realize the above 5Rs may seem a bit daunting at first. Let me assure you that with some practice, all this will become very natural and you’ll be creating content like a professional copywriter in no time at all.
Is content killing your online sales? Let me show you how to achieve long-term success with content marketing. Get my FREE special report — Content Marketing Revealed.
However, if you want to be a successful Internet marketer, you know you have to come up with fresh and interesting content regularly. Otherwise, your traffic will dry up and hard-earned subscribers will lose interest. How do you overcome this challenge?
It’s simple, just follow my 5Rs of content creation and things will start to flow a lot smoother.
1. RESEARCH
Even before I fire up the trusty word processor, the first thing I do is head to Google’s Keyword Tool to research phrases that people are using to search. I start with something related to a topic and get ideas from there. For example, “content creation.” That led me to other popular search terms like blog content creation, content creation help, online content creation etc.
Without thoroughly researching your ideas, you’ll find yourself running out of ideas to write about and/or guessing on what your readers would be interested in learning. You’d be surprised how many different ideas and directions you can branch out to from your initial thought after doing your research.
Of course, Google is not the only source of content ideas. Try visiting popular forums and reading about the different questions being asked around your topic or try Yahoo! Answers.
Bottom line – better research leads to better content.
2. REARRANGE
I always start my content creation with an outline. This helps me to organize my thoughts, rearrange ideas until I get a good flow going. Then I flesh out the bullet points into full-blown paragraphs. An outline also helps to create a roadmap as you progress from chapter to chapter until you finish your eBook or report.
To see a screen shot of my outline (partial) from one of my latest eBooks, head over to my blog.
3. REVEAL
Adding a few personal touches or sharing anecdotes can go a long way in humanizing your content. No one likes to read text that sounds like a sermon.
Share stories or provide examples like I have done above to make it more interesting and help your readers connect with their own situation.
Revealing some personal experiences is very important especially if you are writing about a technical topic. A picture is worth a thousand words and can quickly simplify a complex concept that otherwise would take you many words to explain. Studies have shown that people retain information quicker and longer when you engage their visual senses.
4. READ
If you are going to edit your own content (never a good idea) then the best way is to read your text aloud. I print my copy and then read it back to myself. This forces me to read every word rather than allow my mind to autosuggest words that are not there.
Don’t just rely on the automatic spelling and grammar checker. For example, no software in the world can flag the error between their and there. Here are some more common mistakes; lose and loose, it's for its and further vs. farther.
I use a professional copyediting service to proof read my final manuscript before I publish it into an eBook. Believe me, it is well worth the expense.
If you can’t afford the cost, have a friend who has never seen your copy read it and allow them to critique your content freely. You don’t have to accept all their suggestions but at least you’ll have the benefit of another pair of eyes having reviewed your content.
5. REVISE
Our brains have two parts – the left side is analytical and the right side is visual and tends to see the whole picture. Use both sides of your brain when writing content but one side at a time.
Let the right half of your brain start writing as the creative juices flow. Don’t interrupt it by stopping to correct errors (other than obvious typos).
Once you have your first draft completed, allow the left side of your brain to take over and start being critical and analytical as you go over your copy.
Rearrange words, paragraphs and may be entire chapters until you feel comfortable how each paragraph and chapter flows into the next respectively. This is where you need to wear your editor’s hat rather than be the creative writer.
Don’t be afraid to tear apart your initial outline if you think it will improve the product. Just be careful that perfectionism doesn’t stop you from launching your masterpiece altogether.
I realize the above 5Rs may seem a bit daunting at first. Let me assure you that with some practice, all this will become very natural and you’ll be creating content like a professional copywriter in no time at all.
Is content killing your online sales? Let me show you how to achieve long-term success with content marketing. Get my FREE special report — Content Marketing Revealed.
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