My-Store DIRECT: 5 Types of Web Content That Readers Love

5 Types of Web Content That Readers Love: "

There are 5 types of web content that your readers will love - that are also very easy to write.

This quick list, with tips & examples, should get your creativity flowing with fresh ideas for new web content you can add to your blog or website.

A consistent combination of these 5 different types of content will keep your readers interested and coming back for more…

HOW-TO

How-to Content is instructional, and teaches your readers how to do something specific. This content will usually end up being your most read and your most linked-to posts or pages.

Tip: To find ideas for how-to content, add the word “how” with your main keyword when you’re doing keyword research. For example, if you sell curtains online you could type how curtain into your favorite keyword tool.

Using the ‘how’ qualifier in your keyword research will tell you exactly what people want to read: how to make curtains, how to hang curtains, how to measure curtains, etc.

Example: How to Write A Blog Post

REVIEWS

Product reviews are the first thing that come to mind, but you can publish a review on practically anything: popular websites in your niche, new blogs or a blog post series, news stories in the mainstream media channels, discussion forums, magazines, meet-ups - basically anything of interest to your readers that you can write an opinion about.

Example: 7 Small Business Ideas Most Likely To Fail

Tip: While you may worry that you’re sending your readers to your competitors, they will actually start seeing you a go-to source for cool new things to check out. Keep an eye out for new or interesting things to share with your readers.

Writing Product Reviews is a great way to monetize your site or blog. Check out that link for the 7 elements that go into a great product review that will help your readers make their buying decision.

Example: Article Marketing For Beginners Review

QUICK TIPS

Not every piece of content you write has to be a thousand word essay. Sometimes a simple paragraph or two, maybe 300 words minimum, will suffice to share something interesting or to get a simple point across.

Example: New Free Video From John Reese

This works particularly well with blogs or email newsletters, and can be mixed in between your longer meatier types of content. It’s helpful when you need to write in a hurry, and still gives your readers something new and interesting to check out.

Sometimes, if I’m in a real hurry, I’ll simply pick an interesting video to share from YouTube. Example: Internet Marketing Humor

With a blog, you can also use these shorter pieces of content to ask a question and open a topic up for reader discussion.

Example: What do you use to create a website?

LISTS

Lists are very popular and make for very easy content. You can list a number of resources on a particular topic - such as other people’s blog posts about a particular subject - and just write a short description in a sentence or two for each.

Example: Content Marketing: How To Write For The Web

Lists are fun & easy to write. Some examples to get your ideas flowing: 10 ways to get your ex back (which - that could have more than one meaning), Top 3 children’s gifts for Christmas 2009, 7 best grilling recipes, 20 best short jokes ever, etc.

Tip: To find ideas for lists, try adding the word “best” or “top” to your main keyword when you’re doing keyword research. For example, if your website or blog is all about software you could type best software or top software into your favorite keyword tool.

This will tell you exactly what type of lists your readers want to see most, such as: top 10 antivirus software products, top video editing software, best dvd burning software, best photo editing software, etc.

Example: Magazines for Writers

INTERVIEWS

Interviews make for great easy web content. You can start with just 3-10 questions, and the person you interview basically creates the rest of the content for you. They’ll be willing to do this for the exposure to your readership, and for the relevant backlink to their website.

Tip: Poll your readers to find out who they’d love to hear from, and what they would most like to know from these people.

Write out your questions. For long answer type questions, 3-5 is a good number. For short answer type questions go with 7-10. You can send an email to potential interviewees worded something like this:

Subject: Hi Nancy - Quick Email Interview?

Hi Nancy,

I follow your work and love what you do. I know my readers would love to learn more about you. If you have a moment I’d like to publish this Q&A with you on my blog. It’s 7 quick questions. Please include a photo and the website URL you would like for me to share with my readers.

You can also record audio interviews over the phone or Skype, with video or at BlogTalkRadio. Get interviews transcribed to turn them into text content as well.

Example: Interview With Social Media Link-Building Specialist, Nathan Ketsdever

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That should give you plenty of ideas to get started writing great content. All 5 of these types can work well on your website, on your blog, as guest blog posts, as content for a squidoo lens, or for writing articles for article marketing.

If you still need a bit of help getting past that blank page, see my tips for How to Write Really Great Content.

Best,