How to Write Content That Grabs Attention by Sam Parr
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Hustle cofounder Sam Parr. Source: YouTube
If you haven't heard of Sam Parr, he's the CEO of The Hustle, a popular newsletter known for its impressive content.
Sam has been leading content marketing for over a decade. He is well-versed in creating content that attracts and keeps readers' attention.
You likely spend most of your time looking at the blank screen, staring and thinking.
"What on earth should I write about today?"
You may have spent hours pouring your soul into a blog post, but you may hear crickets when you upload it to your social media pages.
Well, fear not. I will share some secrets from content marketing expert Sam Parr that will help you write content that generates discussions, spreads widely, and establishes you as an expert in your niche.
1. Finding Content Ideas:
Sam believes in using daily life as a springboard for content creation. Take a moment to discover the world around you.
Where do ideas live?
Reddit: Join popular subreddits related to your niche. What questions are people asking? What topics generate the most gossip?
Power of observation: Be aware of the surrounding vibrancy. It may be a humorous dialogue in a coffee shop, the creativity of a new local business, or even a trend spotted on social media. These pieces can be catalysts for displaying curious articles.
Power of "Why?" Curiosity is your best buddy. Whenever something catches your interest, dig more. Question yourself: Why? Why is this trend going on? Why do people experience this specific issue? Concerning these subjects may help you find fresh and eye-opening content.
Focus on conversational topics: Don't write like a textbook. Remember the situation when conversing with your friend about something interesting you have learned or experienced?
Target trending topics: Stay current with the latest trends and news. However, don't just follow. Offer a particular view or explanatory opinion of your own.
News & Current Events: Get informed about global happenings. Is there news happening that you can put in your way? Can you take a complex issue and express it more simply?
2. Headline:
In today's world, attention spans are shorter. A headline is your first impression, promising value and attracting readers to learn more.
Sam Parr urges you to think of your headline as a promise. What type of information are you offering? Will it solve a problem? Will it make them laugh?
Here are some tips for writing headlines:
Spark Curiosity: Use a question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement to uncover the reader's interest.
Benefit-Driven: Highlight the value your content offers. What will readers gain by reading your post?
Emotional Triggers: Drum into emotions like awe, anger or curiosity to grab attention.
Numbers & Lists: People love data, numbers lists, and statistics.
3. Content Hustle:
Sam's philosophy on content creation is straight: quantity and quality, not one or the other. Sam's approach is to prioritize both quantity and quality.
You might be thinking, "Wait, quality or quantity? Isn't it supposed to be one or the other?" but not according to Sam.
Sam believes that consistent creation is key when you're starting out. Aim for a consistent publishing schedule, even if it means producing a shorter piece alongside more detailed articles.
Finding your niche is essential. What are you passionate about? What knowledge can you share that others find valuable?
Either it's video game lore or the best places to find vintage denim (yes, that was an actual Sam Parr article)
Content is King But Context is Queen:
Remember, friends, content creation isn't just about producing words. Providing valuable information to your audience is key.
Know Your Audience: Who are you writing to? What are their interests and challenges? Art content to their specific needs.
Solve a Problem: People come to the internet looking for solutions. Can your content help them with a specific task or answer a question?
Be Clear and Concise: Write in a way that's easy to understand and entertaining to read. Avoid jargon, slang, and harsh language.
Storytelling Power: Stories are like gold. Tell them in your writing to connect with readers on a personal level.
4. Become a better writer:
Writing is a skill that takes constant practice and clarification. Here are some tips from Sam Parr that will help you become a better writer:
Read more: Read blogs, articles, books, and anything else that attracts you. The more you read, the more you expand your knowledge and develop a personal style.
Take feedback: Do not be afraid to show your work to others and get feedback. Feedback can be crucial for guiding about places to do better.
Find Your Groove: Don't be afraid to try something new. Try different styles, formats, and approaches. The more you try, the more you discover what works best for your audience.
Think Like a Reader:
Initially, don't let the SEO lingo discourage you. Focus on producing content that you, as a reader, deem worthy of genuine interest and value. After that, SEO techniques enhance your significance and widen your growth.
Fake It Till You Make It:
Sam says he has used different online identities in the past few days. Should you be bold about introducing yourself or sharing your name?
No problem! Make a character that represents the tone and angle you want to show. Remember, the aim is communication, not cheating.
5. Power of Copywriting:
Copywriting is about convincing storytelling, clear communication, and guiding your reader.
Here are some of Sam Parr's insights on preparing copy that echoes:
Become a Master Imitator: Imagine learning an instrument. You begin learning by playing other songs as they are, eventually. In the same way, by copying renowned writers, you'll start developing your voice and style.
Think Like a Musician: Imagine learning an instrument. You start by mimicking your favourite songs, right? Similarly, by copying established writers, you'll develop your voice and style as you grow.
6. Content Promotion:
Hence, you have a good content strategy and beautiful concepts. However, winning in content creation is only 50%.
Sam highlights the key role of diversifying promotion channels.
Social media is your garden: Share your articles on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn platforms.
Email Marketing: It is a good practice to build an email list and send regular newsletters to inform your audience about your latest content. This creates a more personalized connection.
Reddit and online communities: Search for groups focused on content similar to yours. Publish your articles but be authentic and try to provide something meaningful to the discussion.
Final thoughts: Lessons Learned from The Hustle.
Sam's blogging experience with The Hustle is more than just writing about a blog. Here are some extra takeaways:
Experimentation: Experiment with different content formats such as videos or podcasts. What would likely interest your reader?
Adopt controversy: Despite the controversy, generating conversations can promote engagement and increase interest. But be wary of being disrespectful and not causing any negativity.
Building a Team Makes a Dream Work: Create your own team as your blog becomes popular. This way, you can outsource tasks while concentrating on your capabilities.
Don't Forget the Fun: The audience is also essential, but recalling why you started writing is also important. Make sure you are enjoying the process and practice using different writing styles.
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Posted Apr 29, 2024
Sam Parr, the CEO of The Hustle, a popular newsletter discloses the methods of writing and producing content.
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