Connection is the key to content curation. Now that you know how to get started with your writing, let’s talk about how to really connect with your audience and write something they will read.

Connecting with your audience is the most important thing when you're creating content.

When we connect to characters in books, movies or TV shows, it’s often for one of two reasons. 1. We identify something in that character we see in ourselves. 2. We identify something in that character we wish we saw in ourselves. This same principle works for blog posts.

When we read an entire blog post, there is a connection that draws us in. The post may contain information we need, or it might tell a story that triggers an emotion inside us.

Recently, we generated a blog post on starting a blog on your church website. We listed a few reasons why having a church blog is important and five steps on how to get started. Now that you know how to begin your writing, let’s cover how to really connect with your audience and write something they will read.

Write for real people.

TV shows, movies and books work because they are created based on generalized concepts, demographics and themes. We all want to find and hold onto love. Our families are all just a little crazy. We all love to laugh. Sometimes we cry. We’ve all been hurt. We’ve all been scared. We’ve all been searching for a life of purpose and a group of friends we trust. Some of us are single. Some of us are divorced; some of us are children of divorce. Some of us grew up in low-income areas; some of us have never visited a low-income area.

Write for your demographics, the real people who are in your congregation and in your community. Who are they? Single mothers? Young families? Empty nesters? Take a look at who is sitting in your services every weekend and write content that will reach them right where they are. Identify with their joys, pains, challenges and blessings. Help them address hurdles and find inspiration in everyday life.

Find your writing voice.

Writing is different than talking. More rules exist. Voice inflection can’t save you. Tone is conveyed in a different way through intentional word choices. Strive to keep your language simple and relatable. Writing, especially in blog posts, is a conversation with your reader - the sharing of a story, the explanation of a concept, the answer to a question. 

Test your content. 

When writing is a conversation, the words need to be tested. Read your posts out loud. Recognize what might sound confusing or chaotic. Pick up on what sounds harsh or insincere. Reading out loud also forces you to double check that you’re not writing something you wouldn’t say. If it sounds weird coming out of your mouth, chances are it isn’t something you would say in a conversation. Reading out loud helps you make sure your tone isn’t distant, and your style isn’t building barriers. You want to invite people in with your content. Make it approachable.

Writing words that connect with your audience takes focus, and you will get better as you exercise this muscle. Make sure you’re paying attention to who you’re writing for in order to ensure you are writing something they would read. If your goal is to connect with people and to build relationships with them, then strive to create content that is interesting, helpful and relatable.

Want to learn more about writing content that connects with your audience? Click for more information on Fishhook University’s TeamSpeak Course.

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