Writing content can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to do a little bit of planning and preparation before you start writing, you can make the process much smoother and more enjoyable.  

Here are 5 things you should do before you start writing your content:  

 

Define your target audience:   

Before you start writing, it’s important to know who you’re writing for. Defining your target audience will help you tailor your content to their interests and make it more likely that they will engage with your content. Consider factors such as age, gender, location, and interests when defining your target audience.   

For example, if you’re writing a blog about technology, your target audience may be young professionals or tech enthusiasts. Understanding this will help you choose the appropriate tone and language for your content.  

 

Research your topic:  

Once you know your target audience, you can start researching your topic. This will help you to understand your niche and ensure that your content is relevant and up-to-date.  

You can use a variety of research methods, such as Google, interviews, and surveys, to gather information. We suggest using the ‘news’ tab on Google for up-to-date articles to include in your posts. You could also try search engine tools such as Answer The Public. This allows you to discover what people are asking about and can positively impact your SEO strategy.  

 

Create an outline:   

With your research done, you can now create an outline for your content. This will help you to organise your thoughts and ideas and ensure that your content flows logically. You can use a simple bullet point list, or a more detailed outline with subheadings and key points, depending on the complexity of your topic.   

Outlining also gives you a clear roadmap of what you want to say and how you want to say it. This will help you stay on track and provide you with something to reflect on when forming longer pieces of content.   

 

Choose a format:   

With your outline in place, you can now choose a format for your content. There are many different formats to choose from, including blog posts, articles, videos, and static posts.   

Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose one that will best suit your topic and target audience. For example, if your topic is complex and detailed, a long-form blog post may be more appropriate than a simple social media post. On the other hand, if you want to create an engaging and interactive experience for your audience, a video or a static post may be a better choice.   

 

Review and edit:   

Before you publish your content, it’s important to proofread (check out our 7-point copywriting checklist) and edit it. This will help you to catch any errors or inconsistencies and ensure that your content is clear, concise, and easy to read.   

You can use tools such as Grammarly to help with editing and get feedback from others to get a different perspective.   

 

By following these 5 steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating high-quality, engaging content that your target audience will love. Remember to take your time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you’ll be able to write content that truly stands out. 

Check out THIS blog post before hitting the publish button!