The power of readability: a creative entrepreneur’s guide to creating captivating content
You’ve got the passion, the vision, and the creativity to make your mark in the world. But there’s one crucial element that can either make or break your content’s success and overall SEO campaign – readability.
In the vast digital landscape, content that doesn’t get read might as well not exist. So, how do you ensure your audience not only reads your content but loves it too? It’s simple – make it more readable!
Now, don’t worry if you’re not sure what content readability is or how to measure it. We’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create captivating content that keeps your audience coming back for more.
As we tackle our own SEO for this website as part of the Ultimate SEO Makeover (#180DaysOfSEO #UltimateSEOMakeOver) we are paying special attention to readability, both for new content we are developing AND for old content. We are going through old posts on the site and improving their readability.
PRO TIP: We use Yoast SEO to help us with optimizing readability. Once installed, the plugin gives you an SEO heat scale for each post and also measures the readability of the post, and checks it as you type or edit, making it easy to improve.
What is content readability?
Let’s start with the basics. Content readability is all about how easy your content is to read for your audience.
If your content is clear, easy to understand, and skimmable, congratulations! You’ve nailed readability. On the flip side, if it’s hard to comprehend and resembles a dense academic paper, we’ve got some work to do.
Remember, the difference between readable and unreadable content isn’t just in the writing style; it’s in the value your reader takes away from it.
Readable content empowers your audience with knowledge, discoveries, and problem-solving skills. Unreadable content leaves them scratching their heads in confusion.
Measuring content readability
You might be wondering how on earth you measure something as abstract as readability.
Fear not! It’s both objective and subjective. There are various readability tests that evaluate factors like word choices, sentence structure, and vocabulary to give you a readability score.
As mentioned above, plugins like Yoast SEO, simplify the process, by giving you a readability score for each post on your website.
Okay, enough with the theory; let’s dive into the juicy stuff – the actionable tips to boost your content’s readability!
9 tips for better readability
1. Shorten your sentences
Keep it simple and snappy! Short sentences are a breeze to read, while long ones can leave readers gasping for breath. So, break those lengthy sentences into smaller, more digestible bits.
2. Break up and shorten your paragraphs
Say goodbye to intimidating walls of text! Short paragraphs, consisting of 1-3 sentences, are your new best friends. Remember, one paragraph equals one thought or idea – clear and concise.
3. Use active voice
Be an active voice advocate! Active sentences are engaging and crystal clear. Passive sentences? Not so much. Make your subject and verb dance together for a lively and vibrant read.
4. Mix up your word choices
Spice up your content by avoiding word repetition. A diverse vocabulary adds flavor to your writing and keeps your readers hungry for more.
5. Use lists
Lists are the superheroes of skimming readers. Transform lengthy enumerations into numbered or bulleted lists – easy to read and easy to love.
6. Give your readers signposts
Navigate the reader’s journey like a pro! Use descriptive headings, bold text, and even a table of contents for longer content to guide your audience through your masterpiece.
7. Avoid jargon & industry-speak
Speak the language of your audience, not your industry peers. Keep it relatable and understandable for everyone.
8. Format with plenty of white space
Let your content breathe! White space around your text makes it a joy to read, giving your audience space to relax and absorb your brilliance.
9. Read it aloud
Time for a solo performance! Reading your content aloud reveals its true nature. Smooth out tangled sentences and embrace simplicity.
Readability equals results
Improving your content readability can work wonders for your online presence. When your audience can effortlessly glean value from your content, they’ll keep coming back for more. Say goodbye to boredom and frustration – readability is your ticket to content marketing success!
So, go ahead and put these tips into action. Your audience will thank you, and your creative endeavors will flourish like never before. Happy writing, and remember: readability rocks!
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AdX Content Team
The AdX Content team includes researchers, writers, and digital media developers from the USA, Zimbabwe, The Philippines, and the United Kingdom. We may use automation technology to create outlines & scripts for some of our content, but each article is contextualized, edited, fact-checked, and proof-read by a real live human.