Content Creation Part 8

Effective WordPress Content

In our last section we shared with you a very simple, yet really powerful content writing tip. If you remember, we said that the simplest way to create an article for posting to your WordPress site is to write it in a plain text file (e.g. Notepad), and then save it to your hard drive until you are ready to publish.

Did you try this? Did you find this method more effective and less distracting than using something like a word processor?

In the next few sections, we will look at how to begin creating effective content using the WordPress content management system (CMS). If you have been working through our email training series as a client and have the WPTrainMe WordPress training plugin installed, we cover all areas of the WordPress CMS in extensive detail. You can access all of the tutorials from your own WP Dashboard. Contact us if you need help or more details about this.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING EFFECTIVE WORDPRESS POSTS

Now that you have written your content, it's time to publish it on your site so people can access it to learn more about your business. Whether you are publishing your content as a Post or Page, the main WordPress content editor is divided into several sections. This includes a separate field where you enter your content or post title.

Your Post Title

What title or headline are you going to give to your article or blog post? Creating engaging headlines or post titles is one of the most important aspects of the content creation process and copywriting in general. Without a compelling post title or headline, your site visitors may never get to see your content.

Additionally, coming up with a great post title first can sometimes inspire the creation of great content for your site, or even a whole series of posts on a particular topic. This is a classic case of the "tail wagging the dog".

We recommend, therefore, spending quality time on your post title. Don't rush things or minimize its importance. Give this aspect of your content (and your marketing strategy) very careful and serious consideration. Your post title can be many things - informational, educational, intriguing, funny, clever, even controversial, as long as it is interesting to the reader and compelling enough to grab their attention.

Here are some useful tips to remember when entering your article or post title:

• Write in the present tense. Use active verbs.
   
• Keep the title of your post brief (no more than 7
• 10 words) and to the point.
   
• Try to include your main keyword in the title. This helps the search engines figure out what your content is about when indexing your pages.
   
• Aim to make your title as compelling as possible in order to attract the reader's interest and get them to engage with the rest of your article or blog post. It's important to give your site visitors something that will grab them by their eyeballs and make them want to read the rest of your content.

Post Title Formats

Post titles and article headlines come in many different formats. Here are just some of the most popular headline formulas:

"How-To" Headlines

This is an effective headline formula. A "how-to" post doesn't need to have the words "how to" in the title, just as long as they inform readers how to do something.

Here are some examples of "How-To" post titles:

• How To Avoid Getting Ripped Off When Buying A Used Vehicle"
• 5-Step Formula For Buying Cashflow Positive Real Estate
• Ultimate Social Media Guide
• 17 Ways To Build A Loyal Following On Twitter

Headlines That Identify Or Solve Problems

This style of headline is commonly used by many companies to sell health, weight loss and beauty products or services based around emotions and emotional trigger words. Note: This style can be an effective attention grabber, but you need to make sure that your content can actually deliver on its promises.

Here are some examples of headlines that can be used to help visitors identify or solve problems:

• 5 Common Household Items That Will Clear Severe Acne Problems Overnight
• Breakthrough Gene Discovery Makes 60-Year-Old Complexions Look 45 Again
• Revolutionary New Ab Workout Gets You Ripped In Just 15 Minutes A Day

Create Controversy

Controversial headlines can be effective attention grabbers. Use controversy in your post title to engage your audience emotionally and get them posting comments on your site, but make sure that you do not cross the line and alienate readers with offensive, insulting or disrespectful headlines.

Here are some examples of controversial post titles:

• Naming And Shaming Adulterers On Facebook Creates Stronger Marriages - Here's Proof
• Nobel Winner Presents Conclusive Evidence That Women Learn Faster Than Men
• Australian Prime Minister Improves Women's Lives By Abolishing Carbon Tax
• Throw Away Your Old Running Shoes – They’ve Been Ruining Your Body For Years
• Why [Insert Celebrity Name] Was Right And Everyone Else Was Wrong

Other headline formulas include:

Clever/Funny/Witty Headlines

Using humor and puns to create clever titles can be funny (e.g. "English Swimmer's Great Feat Praised By The Queen" or "Music Industry Insider Reveals How To Get Deal In Record Time") but just remember that search engines don't understand jokes and may not interpret puns or play on words correctly, so use clever and funny headlines with caution, or it could seriously backfire on you.

Create Intrigue

Using intriguing headlines can arouse your reader's curiosity and make them want to know more, e.g.: