8 Ways to Improve Blog Readability (From a Top Writer)
written by
Victoria Kurichenko
posted on
October 24, 2023
The blogging world is saturated by millions of voices competing for readers’ attention. Hence, the art of crafting an irresistibly readable and compelling blog becomes nothing short of a challenge.
Moreover, distractions are everywhere since information is bombarding us from every direction. That means that your blog might struggle to perform at its optimal potential.
If you want to elevate your blogging game and ensure your content gets seen and read, this guide is for you.
I will uncover the top 8 powerful strategies to utilize, helping you change your blog into a more readable one. Through those insights, your readers will hopefully get to savor every word you have written!
1. Break up the content with images
Nowadays, “A picture paints a thousand words” holds more truth than ever. That is because people are compelled by visuals, which means incorporating them into your blog is a must.
However, sometimes you must learn how to crop on MacBook, as you won’t use the entire image. Know how to crop in Preview, adjust images, and trim images on the Mac. This is critical for various reasons. For example, images can complement your content by illustrating some key points.
However, adding images and knowing how to crop a photo aren’t the only means of breaking text into more digestible pieces.
Subheadings are also the main element that enhances your blog’s readability. In other words, they act like road signs guiding readers through different sections of your content.
But why is it essential to employ them?
First, many readers prefer to skim through articles before committing to reading them thoroughly, making subheadings a crucial part of identifying sections.
Second, search engines use headings to understand the structure of your content. Properly using subheadings boosts your visibility and SEO.
Here is when you should use subheadings:
- Be descriptive and transparent in your subheading titles
- Use consistent hierarchy, for example, H2 for main sections and H3 for subsections
- Use keywords strategically within your subheadings
- Make sure you aren’t employing inaccurate words to describe your section
2. Add an opening hook to your blog post
What should a blog post contain?
It all boils down to your structure, making the opening lines the most important part.
These are the critical moments where you capture your readers’ attention or risk losing them forever. This section dives into how you can craft the best opening line for your blog.
Craft an irresistible introduction
A blog introduction should pull your reader towards its content. Here is what you can do:
- Pose a thought-provoking question. The question should be relevant to your blog’s topic and something the people would relate to. An example includes “Have you ever wondered how to accomplish more in less time?”
- Share a statistic or fact. Shocking statistics or fun facts can make people want to read more.
- Tell a personal anecdote. If you humanize your articles, your readers can relate more to you.
- Offer a teaser or promise. Give your readers insights on what they can expect from your blog post. If you promise some valuable insights, chances are they will stick around.
Utilize the power of storytelling
You can also start your blog with a compelling story.
This act can make people emotionally invested in your content. Some methods you can use to employ storytelling include:
- Begin in Medias Res. Start the story “in the middle of things,” where the action or drama thrives.
- Build suspense. Keep your readers on their toes by displaying a problem, dilemma, or mystery at the start.
- Create relatable characters. You can start the piece by introducing a character many can relate to through their motivations, struggles, or quirks.
3. Make your content easy to understand and read
The KISS principle: keep it simple and straightforward
KISS should be your guiding mantra for effective communication, especially when blogging.
It makes your content more digestible for readers and makes it easier for them to retain information. Moreover, readers often appreciate content that flows smoothly, allowing them to consume it rather quickly.
Let’s not forget that search engines favor content that is clear and straight to the point.
Hence, using plain language and avoiding overly complex sentences can improve your SEO.
Jargon Jettison
Jargon Jettison is the practice of minimizing industry-specific jargon and technical terms from writing. Instead, speak directly to your audience by utilizing these tips:
- Define the necessary technical terms when you first state them in your text
- Use analogies or real-life examples to explain complex concepts
Imaging demonstrating the topic to a friend or family, then writing about it
4.Use bullet points
The strategic utilization of bullet points through your blog posts will boost your readability.
They can make your content visually appealing and help you organize information.
Here is how to properly use bullet points:
- Use parallel structure to maintain consistency in your bullet points
- Keep each point brief and to the point
- Start each bullet point with a robust and action-oriented verb
- Use sub-bullets for nested information if required
Consider the logical flow of the bullet points and avoid stating them at random
5. Utilize white space effectively
Utilizing white space is crucial for reader comfort and engagement.
White space enhances readability and draws attention to your content. It breaks up text, aids scannability, and creates a clean and elegant layout.
Consistency, strategic margins, font choices, and responsive design all make your blog visually pleasing and user-friendly.
By embracing white space, you create an inviting environment that encourages readers to explore and engage with your content.
6. Maintain a consistent tone and voice
Consistency in your tone and voice will improve blog content immensely. It establishes a solid and recognizable online presence, allowing your audience to always identify you.
There are two aspects to focus on:
- finding your voice
- being authentic.
Find your tone of voice
Your unique style and personality set you apart and build trust with your audience.
A consistent voice creates recognition and emotional connection, helping you establish a cohesive brand identity that resonates with your audience. To establish consistency, reflect on your values, define your voice, and apply it across all content while staying attuned to audience feedback.
Authenticity is key
Being yourself, sharing anecdotes, and demonstrating honesty is what fosters reliability and trust.
Being an authentic blogger builds long-term relationships, but you must also focus on adapting with integrity when needed.
7. Add interactive elements
Incorporating interactive elements hinges on two main aspects: adding call-to-actions (CTAs) and fostering discussions.
CTAs can be strategically placed within the post to encourage reader engagement. You can ask your audience to subscribe to your newsletter, explore other content, or shoot you an email. To craft a compelling CTA, use these tips:
- Use action-oriented language (e.g., “Join the conversation”)
- Create a sense of urgency (e.g., “Limited time offer”)
- Test different CTAs and check your metrics to see which one is most effective
- Etc.
Encouraging people to leave comments creates a welcoming environment and sparks dialogue. It even pushes them to interact and debate with one another, promoting thoughtful contributions that help you build a loyal community.
8. Optimize for mobile devices
Ensure that your content is compatible with mobile devices to accommodate the growing number of readers accessing through smartphones.
Most website traffic stems from mobile use, so your blog pieces should be responsive and adapt to different screens and sizes.
Hello there!
My name is Victoria.
I am an SEO expert, Medium top writer, solopreneur, and the founder of Self Made Millennials. I help companies create optimized content and attract potential customers through organic search results. In addition, I share how content creators can monetize their writing skills.
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