15 Types Of Content Your Audience Wants To Read

As a marketer you know the power of a good blog with powerful content but what do you create? Articles, videos, audios, flipbooks, the list of possibilities for content publishing is endless…

There are times you may well get stuck when creating content. It could be for a variety of reasons such as…

You have already created a lot of content on the subject.
You have not had time to do a lot of brainstorming.
You have only a small amount of time for the project.
You have trouble coming up with a variety of ideas.

And so forth. It doesn’t really matter what the reason is, the fact remains that you’re going to get stuck.

Stuck in a writer’s block. Stuck in a time crunch. Stuck in a rut.

That’s what this resource is here for: to help you get un-stuck. It will serve as a handy tool for generating ideas anytime you wonder…

How do I choose a topic?
What points of discussion should I bring up?
What information do I need to include in this content?

You’ll learn just that in this article, where we’ll talk about 15 talking points that will work for just about any kind of content creation.

NOTE: Although some of these ideas are presented as single items, you can build content around multiples.

For example, The first is to respond to a frequently asked question, though you can also respond to a series of questions. Or use #2 as an illustration; you may either insert one tip or several tips.

The point is that depending on your needs, you may execute singles or multiples of several of these.

Now that the disclaimer has been made, let’s begin…

By the way, if you are serious and want to take your content marketing and your blogging to the next level, check out the Rapid Blogging Blueprint. This is a premium level training that takes you through each and every step of setting up your own highly profitable blog and profiting from it. You can check it out here.

Ok, let’s jump in…

Answer A Frequently Asked Question

By looking at your email, social media, blog comments, and other sources, you can get a feel for the questions your audience is asking.

Checking sites like Quora and JustAnswer, as well as observing the questions your audience asks on other people’s blogs and social media, will help you collect more questions.

For example, if you’re writing content about weight loss, you may provide the response to the question, “How many calories should I eat each day?”

Tip: For further ideas, try searching Google for phrases like “commonly asked questions about [your topic]” or “most often asked questions about [your topic]”.

Add A Useful Tip

One of the most useful elements of a piece of material is frequently a good tip. Because of this, you should aim to include useful and preferably new tips in any relevant piece of content you produce.

Share hints that make a task clearer, quicker, cheaper, easier, or in some other manner better, to make your content even more beneficial.

For example, if you’re writing content about dog training, you can offer advice on how to interpret a dog’s body language so that you can correct him before he does something wrong (like barking or attacking other dogs).

Give Appropriate Warnings

Giving a warning helps your readers to avoid an issue or mistake, possibly even one that is harmful.

For example, if you’re instructing folks on how to restore a classic car, you could mention the possibility that lead paint was once used to paint older vehicles. Then you can give instructions on how to remove this paint safely.

Every issue has possible risks attached to it, and you can help your audience by alerting them to them.

How To Avoid A Common Mistake

What error (or errors) does your target market frequently make? You can discuss this common error, instruct readers on how to prevent it, and instruct them on how to change their course of action in the event that they have already committed the error.

For example, if you’re giving advice on how to get a new job, you might mention a typical interview error that most people make.

Tip: A personal account of how you made the error will help you connect with your audience.

Show Them Relevant Examples

An excellent example makes a step or suggestion clearer and makes it simpler for the person to apply the knowledge you’re showing them.

For example… consider this very article! To help you better understand each topic we’ve discussed, I’ve given you an example after each entry.:)

Seriously. There’s nothing like sharing an example to “demonstrate” what a point may look like in a real-world scenario to better explain it.

Make A List Of Dos And Don’ts

A list of do’s and don’ts can be thought of as a collection of suggestions (do’s) and errors to avoid (don’ts).

For example, you might give a list of do’s and don’ts while instructing folks on how to replace a kitchen faucet. E.g. “Do make certain that you have the proper tools before you start the job” and “Don’t forget to turn the water off first.”

NOTE: When people are sharing this kind of list, they frequently have an unbalanced list with many more do’s or don’ts. This issue can be avoided by changing some of your dos into don’ts or vice versa.

Consider the statement “Don’t forget to turn the water off first” from the previous example. You can reword the point as follows: “Do turn off the water before you start” if your list of dos and don’ts is nearly all don’ts and you wish to add a few do’s to the list.

Share Relevant Quotes

Share a meaningful quote from someone, especially someone who is (or was) notable, , here. If you’re looking for a specific kind of quote, try searching Google or quotes websites like BrainyQuotes.

For example, if you write about motivation in your area of expertise (like fitness), you may share Eleanor Roosevelt’s maxim, “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”

Quotes can help your audience remember important details and give them well-needed motivation.

Discuss Hot News Relevant To Your Niche

In your niche, news is constantly happening, yet frequently your audience is unaware of how it affects them. You can share the news with your audience (ideally before anyone else) and describe why it is important to them.

For example:

If you’re publishing content for readers who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and a new medication enters the market, you can inform readers about the drug trials to help them in deciding whether or not to consult their doctors.
If you’re writing content for American entrepreneurs and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopts new advertising restrictions, you can communicate this information to your audience and advise them on how to comply with the rules.

Make sure to stay up to date on developments in your niche by routinely reading articles from key academic journals and industry news media.

Show The Steps For A Particular Process

It goes without saying that you will list the steps of a procedure if you are writing a tutorial. You could do the same thing, though, even within other content.

If you give a tip, for instance, you can then outline the actions that people should follow to put the tip into practice.

The same is true for other kinds of content, such describing the steps necessary to use a piece of equipment that is listed in a gear list.

For example, if you recently gave your audience advice about how a strong email subject line may significantly increase open rates, you can now provide the steps to write this kind of subject line.

Expand On A Particular Idea

You might occasionally express ideas that don’t require further explanation. In other circumstances, you’ll want to provide more detail. This improves the content’s worth and usefulness.

For example, if you mentioned cultivating relationships as a way to convince a possible joint venture partner to accept your plan, you might wish to expand on that suggestion. In other words, you would discuss strategies for establishing these connections.

TIP: You can also expand on someone else’s thoughts. For example, you could cite a Facebook post and then elaborate on it, if they haven’t done so already.

Suggest An Alternative

The idea here is that if someone lacks the funds, software, equipment, or any other tools or resources required to complete a project or achieve a goal, you can recommend a substitute.

For example, assume you’re conducting a class on photo editing, but you are aware that not everyone in your class can afford Photoshop. You can recommend that they get a free software application like GIMP to do their editing.

Compare And Contrast Ideas/Strategies

Which strategy will be most effective for someone? That is a question your readers will frequently be asking themselves. By helping your audience to find the answer to that question, you are giving them a lot of value.

For example, if you are in the fitness niche, you can assist them in determining which sort of cardio is best suited to their demands (high intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate intensity, or low steady-state cardio).

TIP: Be sure to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option you propose.

Compare And Contrast Products/Services

A comparison and contrast of two products is another way to add value. You should compare and contrast the two items that the majority of individuals in your niche buy.

Sometimes, a first-time buyer may be undecided about which product is best for them, and your comparison/contrast can help them make that choice (and if you are an affiliate even better).

For example, if you’re writing for ultra-marathon runners, you could compare and contrast two major brands of running/trail shoes.

Write A Product Review

People enjoy and search out product reviews regardless of the niche. That is why your audience will really value a product review, whether as a standalone piece of content or as a discussion point within a larger piece of content.

For example, if you’re writing a lesson on how to build a mailing list, you could review and recommend a certain autoresponder.

Ask And Answer Readers’ Questions

Here, the goal is to collect questions from readers and then respond to one or more of them. This could be compared to a group coaching session. You can either do this in real time (like during a webinar) or in advance and respond to inquiries on a regular basis, as in a weekly blog post. These questions and answers can be inserted into any kind of content.

For example, if you help folks with do-it-yourself remodelling tasks, you can respond to questions from your audience every Friday.

NOTE: You can use these questions to revise earlier works of content to keep them updated and current.

For example, if a blog post receives questions from readers in the comments section, you could now include a “Group Coaching Q&A” segment at the end of this article where you address these questions.

OK, so there are 15 pieces of content that your readers will want to read, so go ahead and pick one today.

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