Web content writing is like cooking.
If you prepare web content with right flavours and in right proportions you can make your clients feel satisfied.
Those who are in content writing jobs have a lot to learn from kitchen.
People eat with their palates.
People eat with their eyes as well.
Same goes true for content writing.
Whatever you write, be it web content, articles, blog posts, banners or ad copy, should appeal to both taste and eyes of a web reader.
Content writers have a good lesson to learn from Masterchef Australia, the greatest cookery reality show on Star World.
Masterchef Australia 2011 had an elimination episode where two skilled cooks, Kate Bracks and Billy Law were competing against each other.
Both of them were asked to reproduce a dish.
Billy's dish had all ingredients intact; it was filled with the right ingredients and was brilliant in presentation.
But it lacked flavours.
Kate's presentation was ordinary compared to Billy's; but her dish was brimming with flavours.
Here comes the million dollar question: if the choice is between presentation and flavours, what do people choose? Masterchef Australia's judging panel chose flavour over presentation.
The web content you prepare might have all the data in place, filled with information and statistics.
But will your clients vote for it if your copy lacks flavour? Chances, I would say, are very thin.
How to create great flavours Flavour is a tricky word.
People are misled to believe that having all ingredients in web content means having good flavours.
Great flavours are produced when right ingredients are mixed in right proportions.
The fact that you have plated everything in your copy doesn't guarantee successful copy.
Here are a few tricks to produce web content with appealing flavours Pay attention to requirements: The most important step is to pay close attention to the client brief.
Different kinds of writing demand different kinds of flavours.
The words and ideas you use for web content might be different from the ones you use for a case study or brochure writing.
Choose your flavours with care.
Maintain keyword balance: Keywords can enhance your writing; they can spoil your writing as well.
Choose the right key words and use them in the right ratio.
Keywords are like garlic.
If chosen wisely and proportionately they carry health and flavour.
If used excessively, it can drive people from a mile away.
Balance your words: Having a great vocabulary doesn't equate to quality writing.
To enhance your content writing skills, you should learn to choose appropriate words, avoid repetition and maintain logical flow.
Try the new: Creating flavours requires courage to try new things.
You should be confident enough to mix your ideas, bring in new concepts and imageries and plate them in a likeable fashion.
Many a time people go for the old not just because they like it.
People are compelled to go for the old because they are not being offered new things.
Novelty is a key ingredient to create flavours for content writing.
Do not overload information: Information is the backbone of any web content writing.
Data you use should be credible, verifiable and devoid of factual errors.
A dish plated with excessive cheese or spices can be a turn off for a seasoned food lover.
Likewise articles or web content loaded with data, numbers or statistics may scare a reader off.
Pick information wisely and use it without losing the symmetry of writing.
Keep it fresh and serve it hot: An important factor in producing and sustaining flavours is freshness.
Use fresh, updated and contemporary data.
Outdated information and banal usages are to be carefully avoided.
Those who are in content writing profession need to keep their eyes and ears open all the time to receive new and interesting information.
Web content prepared this way can induce flavours that will get you new clients and keep your old ones happy.