The most effective way to create content readers want to engage with is to create content that activate the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex, the curious and problem solving part of the brain. Readers should always respond or ask questions after they read your content. Your readers should clearly understand what you wish to say because it decides the duration of  the relationship between you and your visitors.  In this post, I am presenting eleven tips you can implement to create content readers want to engage with.

Tip 1: Engaging question

Questions stimulate the mind. Hence, at the end of your post, put up a question that stimulates your readers’ brain. The reader should wonder and ponder over what you said. The readers should get interested in your subject so much that they look for more. And the best way to get this is by stimulating their thoughts.

Tip 2: Ethical conundrum

African and Asian Kids are being adopted by celebrities; do you think they do any good by doing this? Do you think this is an opportunity to offer the children a better lifestyle, or are they being separated from their loved ones? There’s a challenge in fully understanding the true benefits of the African-Asian adoption craze.  Imply such elements in your post and encourage your readers to talk and argue among themselves.

Tip 3: Ask for suggestions to solve an issue

You or your customers may be facing a perceived challenge that needs overcoming. Write about it in your post and ask them to give some unique ideas to overcome that challenge. You could set this up as a contest and give credit to the winner on a subsequent post for acknowledgment and recognition.

Tip 4: Share your personal stories

Share personal challenging experiences with your readers in your post and tell them how you overcame it. You may ask them to share ways they have handled or will handle similar situations. If you ask them to present their ideas in 400 words or more, you can use them as future post on your blog and give full credit to the featured commenters. With this one step, you will be able to keep your readers engaged and also get potential posts from their response.

Tip 5: Narrate half a story and ask for projected climax

Write a post that presents a business problem or any personal problem to your readers without giving its result. Then, request them to give their ideas for results. Even you can contribute some ideas to encourage them.

Tip 6: Start the post with an engaging opener

The opening of your post should draw your readers in and make them want to read further. An opening statement, fact, or story that arouse curiosity, or a “never-thought-of-that” response is always a great catalyst for engagement with a post.

Tip 7: Use a friendly tone

Write your posts as if you are painting a picture and get your readers involved in it.  There’re no esoteric skills needed to accomplishing a friendly tone. Simply write in a way you’d speak in a conversation with a close friend. A pinch of cultural flavor to reflect your background could sweeten the pot beyond your expectations.

Tip 8: Write sentences in active voice

Long passive voice may be good for formal documentations and reports, A passive voice is not as effective in blog posts. Use active voice in your posts. Your reader should be able to relate to your information and see it as applicable in and to their situation.

Tip 9: Don’t use third person grammar

You shouldn’t use the third person in your blog. Don’t use words such as “they”, “them”, etc., except you’re narrating a story that involve a group. Even so, when possible, use first person and second person in your posts. This will make readers feel close to you and will create a bond between you and your readers.

Tip 10: Be direct

Instead of using inactive verbs, use active verbs to create a direct, instant and lively impact. Write, “I am thinking about how to solve your problem”, instead of, “I was thinking how to solve your problem”. The difference between both statements is the direct approach and action.

Tip 11: Provide a conclusion

We know that nobody actually reads all the lines of any post. So, for those busy people, summarize the main points of your post in a small conclusion. The conclusion should contain all the points and provide the basic idea about the article.

The above tips are intended to help you craft engaging contents. These tips are not exhaustive. I will like to hear more tips from you. What are your tips for creating engaging contents? Leave your comments below.