The polls are in, and content is still ruling the world of digital; but engaging consumer with content isn’t always easy.

Today’s consumers have a shorter attention span than ever before. People only read 20 – 28% of the words on a page, therefore, you have a small window to make a great impression. This means that your blog must be formatted accordingly.  Short paragraphs, headers, and bulleted lists are more visually appealing to today’s “skimmers” – plus almost 93% of human connection is visual.

Proper formatting is just the brginning. The point of your content is, after all, to form a connection with your reader, so check out these five tips for creating content that will keep your audience engaged.

Get Them Involved

What sets great marketing apart from the average? It is a two-way conversation.

Pose engaging questions and make your audience ponder, and don’t be afraid to ask for their feedback, questions, and opinions. By encouraging your audience to join the discussion, you can connect while showing them that you care about their thoughts and input. Be sure to respond to any comments they leave!

Include Videos

Content with video is likely to gain three times more links back to it than plain text. This is because videos allow consumers to see products in action, and easily allows them to share with family and friends. Videos also help to relay a ton of information in a short amount of time. Seeing your business or product in motion enables viewers form an emotional connection with your brand. It also sways consumers to spend more time on your site, which helps boost your search engine standings.

Information is processed and retained more easily with video. As a matter of fact, 90% of the information absorbed by the brain is visual.

Provide Facts

Research and scientific evidence helps convince your reader that your statements, and your business, are credible. Linking to credible sources not only supports your claims with evidence, but also makes it more likely that a reader will continue spending time with your content (and come back to your site next time they’re looking for more information!)

Use Better Headlines

People form a first impression in seconds, so your content masterpiece will never be read if the headline isn’t up to par. So how do you get consumers to engage with your headlines?

  • Ask a question: A question can serve as a great title. Consumers may have a similar question, and will want to find an answer within your content.
  • Numbers: Currently, many consumers are engaging with headlines that involve numbers. For example, “5 Tips for Engaging Content” or “Top 5 Digital Marketing Trends.”
  • Solve a problem: By offering a solution to a problem, you are connecting with consumers who may face similar issues.

Write for the Reader

This is the most important tip for more engaging content. You should be straight-forward, personable, and informative. The purpose of your content is to influence your reader, not to make a sale. Consumers are tired of being sold to, so instead, try to help educate your customers.

The most important aspect of your content is that your reader actually enjoys reading it. The more they like your content, the more likely they are to see you as a thought leader, and ultimately, want to do business with you.

Content marketing is one of the most important aspect of your digital marketing strategy, so use these tips to create more engaging content today!