You’ve spent hours writing a great post. The research is solid, the insights are brilliant… and then it gets three likes. What went wrong?
The truth is, even great ideas get lost if the content isn’t written for the modern reader. Here are three simple rules to make your words count:
1. The First Sentence is Your Only Job
Your job isn’t to summarize your entire post in the first line—it’s to stop the scroll. Start with a bold question, a surprising statistic, or a relatable frustration. Make your reader think, “I need to know more.” If the first sentence doesn’t hook them, the rest of your content won’t matter.
2. Write for Skimmers, Not Readers
Most people don’t read every word. They skim. Make your content digestible by using:
Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max).
Bullet points to break down key ideas.
Bold text to highlight the most important phrases.
This lets busy people get the main points in seconds, which encourages them to stick around for the full story.
3. Tell Them What to Do Next
Don’t just end with a full stop. Guide your audience toward an action. This is your Call to Action (CTA). Do you want them to leave a comment? Share the post? Click a link? A clear CTA turns a passive reader into an engaged participant and helps your content spreads.
What’s your number one rule for writing content that connects with people? Share your best tip in the comments below!
These are great rules. I love the write for skimmers point, making content concise and clear is so important. Another rule I follow to make content more relatable is making it relevant and writing how it’s connected to their life.
This post is a great reminder that writing online is not just about sharing ideas it’s about grabbing attention. I liked the point about the first sentence being the hook. Many of us write with passion but forget how fast people scroll. Writing for skimmers is also smart advice. Short, bold, and clear content really works better today. I’ll try to add a strong CTA in my next post. Thanks for these practical tips!
These are great writer’s tips, especially for copy-writing and article writing. This article implements the advice it provides, very concisely written and informative! Thank You for sharing.
I’ve noticed that whenever I focus on simplifying my writing instead of trying to sound smart, people engage way more. Clarity > complexity every time. My rule is, if someone can’t get the point in 5 seconds, they’ll scroll away.
The reminder about crafting a strong first sentence and writing for skimmers is so true in today’s fast scrolling world. I’ll definitely be using these strategies in my future posts to make them more engaging and actionable.
