The Ingredients of “High Quality Content?”

by | Oct 2, 2024 | content writing | 0 comments

I love cooking!

And so, ingredients are of utmost importance to me.

The ingredients for my recipe needs to be properly sourced only from the places I know sells the right ones. And it’s a no brainer that they need to be in the right proportion.

So, when my clients say they need “high quality content” in their web copies and blogs, it makes me smile.

When you are talking about writing content for websites and blogs, you not only have to think about the right word count but also the right words that resonate with your audience (and sometimes even your audience’s audience).

Great content is what gets you your SEO rankings, traffic, and ultimately your leads. And above all, we have to keep Google happy.

So, what does high quality content look like?

1. Content That Is Original

Copying content won’t get you too far because first of all, Google will find you, and it WILL penalize you.

But when I say original, I also mean the authenticity or originality of your idea. Rehashing existing content is not “original”. You will end up cooking the same recipe with different flavours, and while this might get you some accolades on the dining table if you get it right, it doesn’t work like that with content.

So, how do you generate new ideas every time?

That’s a question all content marketers struggle with.

So, here are some ways I try to cook up topics for my clients:

  1. I try to identify pain areas that the target audience is facing and how the business is trying to eliminate that.
  2. I also try to find out what the readers want to know about by listening to their social media chatter.
  3. Often businesses use open ended questionnaires/surveys to find out the things their users want or need.
  4. Google auto-suggest options are also a great way to find out what people are looking for. All I do is open an “incognito window” in my web browser and do a Google search of relevant topics, and voila! You see a whole list of phrases people are already searching for. I can then pick my blog topic from there.
  5. Comments or book reviews of Amazon’s top-selling books can sometimes come in handy. I know this is a long shot because you may not always find a book around a topic you are looking for, but it has helped me at times.

2. Make Sure Your Headlines Are Strong

80% of your readers will decide to read or not read your blog depending on the headline.

Yeah! No kidding.

So, take the time to craft your headlines.

Make sure they can hook your readers up.

I make sure my headlines:

  • Are strong
  • Contains keywords (if possible)
  • Has a simple language
  • Has numbers in it. I know they can make the headlines very obvious at times. But they work if it is relevant.
  • Don’t use jargons
  • Creates a sense of urgency and leaves an air of mystery

3. Give Users A Sense Of ‘How To Apply’ The Information They Just Received

And this is going one step further from the CTA (Call To Action) button.

You need to tell the user what to do with the information they just spent their valuable time reading about.

Treat your blogs as self-help books that readers can learn and become better. Give them tips on applying what you are offering them.

4. Be A Google To Your Audience

We ask Google almost everything and thank God it always has the answers.

But you don’t need to provide answers to everything.

When I write blogs I make sure that the least I am doing is providing an answer to my readers’ questions.

5. Make It Easier To Visualize

Most people learn better when they can visualize what they are reading with the help of an image, a video, or an infographic.

Visuals make the idea clearer. But only add those that help or add value.

6. The Fine Print

As they say, last but not the least, do not take your content lightly.

It’s okay to take time, research, and make it grammatically correct before you put it out there.

Three things I always ask myself in the end are:

  1. Have I provided the readers with the answers they are seeking? And I keep going back to the topic several times. But that’s just ME!
  2. Are there any repetitions of words/phrases/ideas that I can eliminate?
  3. Does the piece complete in terms of structure? (Introduction, Body, and Conclusion)

Conclusion

Creating high-quality content is like cooking a perfect meal—it requires the right ingredients, proportions, and attention to detail. Just as I carefully source the best ingredients for my recipes, writing exceptional content demands originality, strong headlines, actionable insights, and a deep understanding of the audience’s needs.

It’s not just about writing words—it’s about connecting with your readers, answering their questions, and leaving them with something valuable. When done right, high-quality content not only boosts SEO rankings and traffic but also builds lasting relationships with your audience. Remember, it’s this connection that turns content from just good to truly great!