Adding spice to content that makes you yawn
Yawn. The expression is a nightmare that plagues authors. It is a nightmare, at least, if a reader is not tired.
Every writer struggles to make his or her content tease the senses and engage the mind.
A boring topic makes the task even more tedious, so how can we make a subject that most people yawn at interesting for yourself and your readers?
A. What makes content boring?
Making boring content capture interest is as difficult, if not more so, than creating an entirely new topic. Writers have to strike a balance between making the topic useful and turning it into unique content that pleases a crowd. We have to add spice to generally tasteless food.
Before they even start, they have to recall what makes a topic mundane.
Boring topics have irrelevant information. The content may have little to do with the title, or is not useful in any way to a reader.
If there is no new information, we write the article off with a "been there, done that." After all, there are so many similar articles on the internet to read.
A topic is boring if it does not touch the heart. If you write about a situation that readers find hard to empathize with, they are lost.
As a writer, I have found out, the hard way, that people read what they want, not what they need. Articles written on useful topics get less attention than titillating humor, unless readers desperately need them.
Further, if "how-to" information is not presented in a user-friendly way that the reader can digest immediately, you lose them.
How to make your article interesting
B. How do we spice up boring content?
But how do we make spice compatible with tasteless food that has its own characteristics? We can ask ourselves, then answer, a few burning questions. (Note to self: Do this everyday).
1. What do I know about the topic?
If you have to write a topic that is a bore, you have to research it. The only way you can work your writing magic and make it interesting is to do some reading.
2. Is there anything new about it?
Then, find out if there are any updates to the information. Perhaps no one has addressed the new information yet, so introduce it.
3. What is my angle?
If you cannot find any new information, ask yourself what your perspective of the topic is.
Old content becomes unique when you introduce your own opinions.
4. How can I make myself part of it?
How do you claim boring content? I am a poet, so I would throw in an inspirational senryu.
A humorist may add a rib-splitting joke or two. If you love sports stories, throw in a relatable sports anecdote and tweak it.
5. Do I have visuals?
Ask what relevant interesting visuals you can add to the article.
Photographs catch attention instantly.
6. How can I make my readers part of it?
Ask your readers questions, or throw in a quiz to get them involved.
Interact with them in comment boxes as best you can.
7. Can I mix it up?
Try not to write on topics that you are expert in all the time. Try writing on something else for a change.
Mix your boring topic with more engaging content. Throw in a music video, or funny song lyrics.
8. What do my readers want?
Ask what your readers want. What content would your readers read at the moment? What would they connect with?
9. What fun can I have?
At least 70% of your writing is about you. So have fun writing, because you deserve to make it enjoyable for yourself.
10. Can I connect with my readers?
Lastly, ask how you can connect with your readers. Allow them to ask you questions and reply to them.
To you, why is boring content useful?
C. When boring content has its uses
Yes, always spice up the content that makes you yawn. Boring content, though, has its uses.
Boredom dilutes controversy. Informational articles teach and unless someone disagrees with the content, seldom create heated debate.
With boring content and organization comes flow. Predictability creates security.
We may find content boring, but we cannot deny that we understand it. Boring content acts as a useful base from
which to generate more interesting ideas.
For article writers, boring content is a boon. If nothing else, it helps us decide which keywords are searchable.
Conclusion
You deserve to make boring topics work for you.
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