The research may still be underway on whether our attention spans are decreasing, but many moms and veteran classroom teachers have anecdotal evidence that this is happening. How can writers retain a grasp on this ever more elusive resource – a reader’s continued focus and interest? The techniques are not necessarily new, but they need to be applied with greater intensity and care in this age of instant gratification and non-stop clicking all over the web. Here are some tips that can help keep your readers eyes on your writing.
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Be accurate:
If readers feel that you are saying something that is less than factual, and presenting it as fact, they will not spend their time on your piece. You can be certain that someone will make not of any inaccuracy, whether deliberate or not. There are so many ways now to cross-check the truth of your assertions that it is simply not worth it to prevaricate in a web posting. You will be found out, and it will be embarrassing – both to you and to any client for whom you are writing. More importantly, your credibility in future postings will be affected. You could be dismissed as not worth the time to read what you have written. This is certainly no way to hold readers’ attention.
The solution is simple – do your homework! As a writer on the web, you have access to global information sources that should allow you to make truthful statements. If you are writing about something that is so secret that no sources exist, you need to give as much contextual information as you can to make your assertions credible. If the subject is so personal that no one else would know, again, be truthful. Keep fiction and non-fiction separate in your writing, and your readers will pay closer attention for longer.
ÂBe useful:
Even if the sole utility of your piece will be to supply conversational fodder at the water cooler, your writing needs to serve the reader’s needs. Does it:
- inform,
- explain,
- solve a problem,
- offer insights,
- or provide material benefits?
While you are choosing topics (if you have this privilege), ask yourself why the reader should spend their limited resource of time on this article at all. If the answer is not obvious, then refine your topic or approach.
Be funny:
There is nothing like humor to keep people reading. Laughter is a universal solvent, removing barriers, disarming defenses, and retaining our attention. There is a plethora of inoffensive silliness around, but if you fear treading on toes, skewer yourself and your own foibles.
Be current:
If you can break a story yourself, no matter how trivial, take it!
ÂBe timeless:
ÂAlternatively, aim for classic and ageless wisdom. What will the reader remember over the long term? If you find something that will stick with them, your readers will stick with you.
ÂBe provocative:
ÂRaise a question that the reader can chew over, individually, or in conversation with others. Provide your own perspective, but invite the reader to go off and cogitate on this issue – after they have finished the article!
ÂBe vivid:
ÂUse the liveliest style allowable in the setting where your writing will appear. Choose active verbs to keep things moving. Use un-hackneyed descriptors, and as much detail as space allows, to awaken sensory images in your readers. The old advice is still valid – SHOW, DON’T TELL!
ÂBe brief:
ÂDon’t pad your writing with unnecessary, repetitive, duplicative, redundant and reiterative words – like these! Furthermore, don’t add silly phrases like, “isn’t that great?” unless so directed. Earn your pay from solid content and repeat orders, rather than empty writing.
ÂBe a borrower, respectfully:
If you can find a quotation that expresses your idea better than you ever could yourself, don’t reinvent the wheel. Just be sure that you quote with correct attribution and paraphrasing if needed.
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Be organized:
ÂThis should not need repetition but just in case, stick with the point laid out in your headline and in your introductory paragraph(s). If you start on one subject and end up in another, you will lose your readers along the winding and tortuous way. Misleading headlines waste the reader’s time with fruitless searches.
None of these are cutting edge, and none are rocket science. Thank goodness, however, in spite of technological advances, the human brain today still demands much the same things from a piece of writing that it always did. Apply these suggestions, and keep people glued to your text!
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Article by David Tucker – professional editor, blog writer. He currently works with Helpfulpapers.com – content writing service, dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction. David enjoys sharing his experience and the best reward for him are the thankful comments from his readers and followers.
