Do you want some checklists to create content quickly? Here’s a list to help you get started…
Blog checklist
The best way to get connected with your readers is through a blog. By offering information about a definitive subject. It can be in the form of commentary or you can express your personal opinion or it can become an integral part of your online brand advertising for an individual or company. If you are writing copy for a blog, keep in mind that it can be used practically for the purpose of marketing.
Eye-catching title
To lure your reader into reading your content it is important to create a first impression on the reader through an engaging title that is very catchy and informing them what they will get to know from the post.
Subheadings
Every step should be taken to keep the paragraphs small and concise. This is important to retain the readers’ interest for as long as possible by using simple words and keeping sentences short. Subheadings make it easier for readers to skip to the information they are looking for.
Tone
Keep the tone of your blog informal and with minimal jargon unless necessary. Unless you are posting the content on another site, keep your tone similar to other published posts.
Branded or generic
Try to keep your blog generic in nature and no way brands should be mentioned. In case the blog is branded, ensure that you get the company connected with whatever point you are making.
Extras
Where possible try to include internal links to other pages within your website or to trusted sources. Try to input statistics that are relevant to make the blog more valuable to the readers such as “Top 10”.
Proofread and edit
Once you have created your content it is important to proofread and edit it. Try reading the content out loud or getting a friend to run through it to help identify any errors.
Article Checklist
Articles can be created on a wide variety of subjects like news or relating to topics to which are of general interest. The main objective of writing articles is to persuade or inform the reader and induce them to take a ‘call-to-action’ by educating them through the articles.
Headline
Make the headline as catchy as possible to have the attention of the readers. Only a catchy headline would encourage the reader to read more.
Text
Lengthy paragraphs will bore the reader and they shy away from reading the entire content. So the ideal way to keep the attention of the reader is to break the paragraphs into smaller chunks which will enhance the readability and retains the interest of the reader. Try to keep the sentences as short as possible.
Subheadings
Create relevant subheadings with short paragraphs. This helps the readers understanding and maintains an interest in continuing to read the content to the end.
Tone
The objective of writing the article should determine the tone of the article. The article should be compelling to the reader to take action or be humorous or to entertain.
Insight
At all times what you write about should be relevant, engaging, and content your readers want to read about. Careful planning of content strategy will give you more insight into the type of content your readers want.
Keywords
There is no need of stuffing your content with keywords but use them where it is relevant. Surely you would not wish to make it read artificially.
Proofread and edit
Make it a habit to check as many times as you can to detect any mistakes committed. This will help your writing to tune better for the readers.
Press Release Checklist
A press release is a medium to announce to the world something that is newsworthy. The main objective is to have positive media attention for a company or individual while offering publicity for any products, services, or events.
Newsworthy
The press releases should have something genuinely for the people which will make the people interested. The press releases should in no way look like a blog or feature but should appear like a news piece. In case you have not provided any facts that can be counted as news but try to spin it in such a way as to appear positive for the readers.
Structure
The following pattern of press releases should be abided by :
- Headline
- Dateline
- Intro ( who, what, when, where, and why)
- Body( providing an additional explanation, statistics, background, and any other details necessary)
- Boilerplate( this is an ‘about’ section for the company or individual)
- Contact info
Third person
Any press releases should be written using the third person like “they” and not from the point of view of the organization or individual’s point of view using “I” or “we”.
Quote
To give more value to the press releases it is wise to include some relevant quote from the spokesperson of the company concerned. In case you have not provided one in your brief, sum up the key information in a positive way with a couple of lines and attribute to a company spokesperson.
Content
Even though you are finding it difficult to come up with an interesting spin, irrespective of what you do, try to keep away from sensationalism. Always go by the facts and ensure that you are clear and concise.
Proofread and edit
As should be the case try to proofread it several times to ensure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
Social Media Checklist
For engaging and interacting with a company or individuals community better, it is very important to have social media updates. This can cover a wide range of topics and functions. The updates can be about facts and services to enhance the brand image and further the scope of competitions and promote events. This can also induce action referring to likes and sharing of content.
Tone
The tone of social media should be primarily fun and informal. It is a unique way of personifying an organization and getting connected with people
Short but sweet
In regard to social media, it is profitable to keep things brief. Regardless, you are limited to Twiter’s 140 characters, the attention you get is unlimited.
Content
The more you try to be engaging with your social media posts the better will be the results. Make it a point to write something that the reader will wish to share with their network.
Call to action
If the intention of the post is to get the reader’s attention to do something- e.g. like and share, it should be clear and easy to do.
Proofread and edit
There should be no lame excuses and put some casual writing just because the situation is less formal. Always make it a point to use proper punctuation, use of capital letters and spelling errors check as many times as possible.
White Paper Checklist
A white paper is a dependable guide that assists the readers to come to a conclusion understand a problem and find a way out. Basically, there are three types of white paper. One describes the benefits of using the product or service (basically used to launch a product), another giving suggestions or tips( used to get notice), or those which offer solutions to a problem.
Title
Ensure that you include a title that has the words “white paper” while stating it clearly that what the paper is about.
Understand, Simplify and Explain
As a writer of a white paper, you should use the information given to you appropriately. To better understand, simplify and explain and stay away from the filter.
Tone
Always keep the tone of white paper formal but be sure not to make it too basic or too complex. Just know your audience better and communicate with them. For instance, if your audience belongs to a technical field try to provide technical details but on the other hand, if your audience is a novice, then be more direct in approach.
Problem/solution
In case the white paper is one providing a solution to a problem, ensure that you explain the problem, offering specifics such as figures, dates, and names, a little bit of background of the problem, and how to proceed to solve the problem.
Numbered lists
These are very useful for offering quick tips rather than going for detailed analysis but still, be well researched and clear. All these give the reader the opportunity to skip and scan through the test with ease.
Proofread and edit
You have to ensure that all your facts and figures are correct. Also, check if there is an error regarding spelling or grammatical mistake.
Product Description Checklist
The product descriptions have all the essential information that consumers should be aware of the product, and also sufficient reasons why they should buy it
Describe
You have to make sure that the point is clear about the purpose of the product, along with its composition and features. Provide all the technical details where necessary and be away from slogans like “excellent quality”. On the contrary, be straight to the point as to why the product is good enough to use. Try avoiding the superlatives unless necessary.
Explain
What are the reasons why the product should be bought? Also, state the benefits clearly.
Buyer
Have a clear idea of who is actually going to buy the product? When you know who they are, try to appeal to them by offering what they are looking for.
Tone
Make a habit of using the word “you” all through the text and make a deliberate attempt to use sensory words. Because this is online, the reader in his deep imagination should visualize the product.
Structure
The content should be such that it should be easily scannable. This can be done by making use of headlines and bullet points.
Keywords
The copy should appear natural to the readers and if possible try to include keywords. There is no point stuffing with keywords.
Proofread and edit
Always advisable to recheck for any errors committed and rewrite the text as far as possible.
Review Checklist
A review is an appraisal of a product or service and this can be written from either the perspective such as professional or consumer.
Be prepared
If the product is usable, then use the product or service; otherwise do a lot of research. You need to appear like an expert; only then your opinion will count.
Content
At first try to give a detailed description of the product or service. They make utilization of some to the point instances of using it and how you discovered it. You need to give proof as to why you have arrived at the decision. Always try to give a opinion which is not controversial,. Though you are aiming for a positive review you should present some advantages and disadvantages to give weight and authority. Include a buyer description- who would gain largely from using the product or service.
Tone
It is advisable to use first person and an informal and tone used for chatting in case the review is a consumer review. But in the case of a professional review, you should be more formal and convincing.
Keywords
If keywords are given to be used in the content, and then make sure they are used where possible, without twisting or in any way disturbing the rhythm of the text.
Proofread and edit
Make sure that there are no spelling and grammatical errors. Double-check for rectifying any errors and see if you have given any double spaces and facts in the content.
Web Page Checklist
A good web page should be easy to navigate, address the targeted audience and assist them to collect relevant facts quickly and without any difficulty. There should be USPs of your web pages to induce the visitor to take action.
Have a clear call to action
What would you like the visitors to do when they visit your page? In case you have an ecommerce site, you will want your visitors to make a purchase. If you are offering a service it may be filled out the inquiry form, or they should pick up the phone and give a call to you.
Sell yourself
Selling is very vital for the success of any products or services. What is there which makes the product unique? Why you should be preferred over your competitors?
Understand your audience
It is important to know the target audience and address them in a proper way which is very vital. Converse them in a language which they will understand with ease and will be pleased about your approach.
Make it more usable
The content should be easily understandable by breaking the contents into chunks. Make use of descriptive headings to make sure that users can quickly get what they are looking for.
Scannable text
Studies have proved that users of websites just skim and read text online. To get the reader’s attention to try using key points and bold them to attract readers.