20 ways to become a better PR and content writer
In the fast-paced world of Public Relations and content writing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. If you are looking to take your PR and content writing skills to the next level, here are Neil Patel’s top 20 tips for you
1. Put people first
If you help people and always put the reader you’re much more likely to succeed as a great content or PR writer
2. Create content that teaches
If your content doesn’t teach and educate people and provide a benefit, your readers won’t stick around for long.
3. Strike a conversation
You create a conversation by using the words you and I within your blog post. Your readers will feel like they’re right there in front of you having a conversation.
4. Define your own tone
Find your own voice and do what’s natural for you. Don’t try to copy someone else’s voice.
5. Write to one person
Yes, 1000s of people can be reading your content, but it’s one person at a time. So make sure that you’re writing to that one person. That way it’s much more personable.
6. Add relevant keywords
Keywords are words and phrases that people type into Google and other search engines. They are different from buzzwords that public relations people are more familiar with.
7. Use Active Voice Over passive voice
Active voice is like you stole the cookie from the cookie jar. Passive voice is like the cookie was stolen from the cookie jar. Active Voice is much more appealing in conteht and public relations writihg.
8. Keep your sentences short
Use two to three sentences max per paragraph. Typically, a paragraph will also be around five or six lines max. This will make your content and public relations writing more engaging.
9. Use simple words
It doesn’t matter if you went to an Ivy League school or graduated from Harvard. Your reader probably doesn’t have an Ivy League education. Keep it strong and simple
10. Add research
Back up your findings with research and stats to boost your credibility and expertise.
11. Read inspirational writers
Read people like Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell or Guy Kawasaki. Go find ones that really resonate with you, because it’ll help you become a better writer.
12. Add visual media
Images and videos always speak volumes and enhance your content and public relations writing.
13. Guide your user to their next step
Let them know what they need to do step by step, and make sure you link them to other related content pieces that can help them with their journey. Content and public relations writing is an art.
14. Wrap things up
Make your conclusion just as interesting as the beginning. Some readers will go to your blog post, scroll down read the conclusion, if they like it, they’ll scroll back up and then read the rest
15 Start with the personal story
Storytelling is 1000 plus-year-old marketing tactic that works well. Look at the whole film industry in Hollywood and Nollywood-they love using personal stories because that’s hooking and addicting.
16. Don’t over fret about edits
Edits can wait. Your piece doesn’t have to be perfect first time. You can always go back and clean up.
17. End with a question
A question at the end leaves an air of healthy curiosity about your content and public relations writing.
18 Just start and get consistent
If you don’t have a routine and you’re not writing content consistently, you’re not going to build traffic and reputation.
19. Use a solid outline to create content
For better content and public relations writing, use the HOBC formula- hook, opening, body, and close.
20. Let the content rest for a day
Give your content a day’s rest before you publish it. When it sits for a day, you’ll easily think of ways to make it better before you finally publish.
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