10 Ways to Write to Make Readers Think

When it comes to content marketing, there are ways to write content so it actively markets you and your business without being “in-your-face” sales copy or boring product reviews or press releases.

I’m reminded of an excellent book on creating effective website design called Don’t Make Me Think. The premise is that a customer searching for products and services online shouldn’t have to figure out how to find what they’re looking for on your website.

When it comes to reading your blog, however, please, please DO make me think! Your blog posts should have meaty content that stimulates readers to ask questions, to comment, to agree wholeheartedly, or disagree vociferously.

How can you do that? Ahhh, let me think about that a minute here... Wait! I've got an idea. I'll build a list of ideas to make readers think. And, YOU can contribute to the list!

In fact, let me spontaneously brainstorm a few ideas with you here, right now. You can comment and add your own ideas to the list. Here's my lists of ways to get readers to think, for example, in a blog post:

1. Ask a question that can't be answered (without thinking for a few minutes, at least)
2. Describe an ethical conundrum and ask readers to contribute solutions
3. Ask readers for their top 3 tips for .... (insert a common problem your customers have)
4. Write about a problem you experienced or a mistake you made, and ask readers what they would have done
5. Describe a most pivotal moment in your business, and ask readers to contribute theirs
6. Write about a situation facing a customer and ask readers to contribute ideas and projected outcomes
7. Suggest some ideas and ask readers for more ideas...(hint, hint)
8. ...
9. ...
10. ...

Get it? Okay, now it's your turn. How can you write blog posts that stimulate readers to think and even actively participate?

Bonus question: How does doing this actually work to market your business?

Prize: 3 randomly selected winners will get a free book sent to them (one of my great marketing books that I mistakenly bought two of, brand new)

Comments

[Jim Hickey]

Write about a major issue that impacts everyone (US oil reserves & foreign oil dependency) with a few mis-understood facts and ask for readers thoughts/opinions.

[Malia Russell]

Tell them you are working on an upcoming project or class and ask them what they want to learn the most. We have used this for our upcoming homemaking class. It helps me when making the product and it gives them a chance to share ownership. It also builds anticipation for the upcoming class.

Malia Russell
www.homemaking911.com

[Alice]

Today's posting is about today and other election days. Let's stand on the streets of DC in January and watch the inauguration.

[Cheryl Pickett]

Ask a certain kind of question on a regular basis. For example, each week in her newsletter Joan Stewart (The Publicity Hound) asks for help from her readers for someone who has submitted a question (Help this Hound).

We all expect it to be there and many contribute regularly. The questions and answers are actually done on her site/blog.

I haven't done this yet, but it is definitely a way to build your relationship with your community and help people connect within your community as well.

Cheryl Pickett
www.publishinganswers.com

[Tara]

You can pose an open-ended statement and ask readers to fill in the blank, like:

One thing I love about Twitter is ...

Blogs have changed business on the web by ...

Websites are still important because ...

[Patsi aka The Blog Squad]

Hey, Jim, Malia, Alice, and Cheryl! Thanks. These are all good suggestions. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheryl, I always read Joan's section "Help this Hound" too - it's a great reminder of how to get people involved.

I'll announce the 3 winners of books by Friday on this blog, so be sure to come back. I'll more than likely give you a choice of 3-4 books to pick from and ask you to email me your mailing addresses.

Stay tuned...

[Francesca Frate]

Ask your client what is the biggest problem or problems that they are experiencing with their business.

[Patsi aka The Blog Squad]

Excellent contributions, Tara, Francesca , thanks!

[Neil Evansan]

Write a blog based on a GREAT Testimonial, then define 5-7 points from it .....
BlogOn
"..... a season on the Aprentice in a weekend ....."

"I've been on other courses by Tony Robbins, Christopher Howard (and others) where you set goals, but have no way to test them. On this course you get a massive reality check, putting your skills & goals to the test to learn key business fundementals. Play To Win is like doing a season on the Apprentice in a weekend and learning how to Win in the Real World!"

WOW! Thanks Richard Newman! So glad you got MASSIVE Value from the weekend! Lets look closer at the top 5 lessons from the Play to Win weekend .....
lessons 1 - 5 .....

While those are what we consider the Top 5, there are DOZENS more Key Lessons & Distinctions to pull from. What other key lessons did YOU learn last weekend?
What are the 3 key lesons would you like to take back into your business Monday morning?

BlogOff

As others have already said, Ask your Audience, your Target/Tarket what THEY want to learn. Then make sure they do!

[Evelyn]

Since most people enjoy nothing more than talking about themselves, you could ask them questions about the challenges they face in their lives and in their businesses.

[Dorothy]

Well, there's always running a contest, which you didn't list in your top 10, but you did implicitly include by offering a book for the best suggestions.

Another way is to say something completely controversial and outrageous, like "the current economic situation is GREAT NEWS." Do you know why?... And ask readers to comment.

Oh, another one: Add a picture or graphic and ask readers to supply the caption...

[Patsi aka The Blog Squad]

Oooh, this list keeps getting better!

Neil, you are a clever one for including your client testimonials! So if I click on your name, will I go to your page marketing your stuff? Hmmmm, would you be marketing your program in my comments section? For shame!!!!

Oh well, I guess that's what the blogosphere is for, right? I think I must leave that one up as an example but I haven't decided yet if it's an example of bad blog commenting etiquette or clever marketing ploy.

How about I let readers comment on that?

[Monica McPherrin]

Bonus question: How does doing this actually work to market your business?

I think that it engages the prospect (client) to feel part of what your creating and makes them feel that what they have to say matters. It brings them into your world where they feel valued and creates a greater level of "know, like & trust", which they then pass on to others creating a viral effect.

Monica McPherrin
Online Marketing Intro
"Online Marketing for beginners"

[Patsi aka The Blog Squad]

Monica, bingo! Thanks for stating the value of doing this in such a clear manner. Be sure to pick which book you want from the list in the post dated 11-5-08 and email me with your address.

I will announce the other 3 winners on Monday, 11-10-08. If you'd like to get an update in your inbox, subscribe to this blog (form is on upper right hand column top of blog).

[Dale Clifton, The Scholarship Doctor]

It's really very simple. Keep your message short, concise and emotional.

[Kathy Young]

I like to actually pose a question and ask for input. For example, I've said "we're teaching our girls self-esteem enhancement through exercise and nutritional education. What has been your most successful trick to instill that confidence that our girls so desperately need?" Then, I'll implore them to help - telling them that commenting will start a dialogue that will help others and in the end, help them as well.

[kevinmhuff, Corporate Trainer and Speaker]

WHOOPS!!!

We missed one of the most important items. A captivating title!!

If you have something great to say, they need to be captured from the VERY start!

Bonus: You use it by delivering great information, secrets, CONTENT ... for free. Over time, if your content is good, you become a recognized expert and THAT is when you can begin growing more business.

[Seamus Walsh]

Hi Patsi, I am a new reader, I found your blog last week and someone on our board sent me your link as a must read. Great Stuff!

What do I suggest?

Use a benchmarking tactic, ask a series of questions that present a scenario, such as, does your company always do a certain activity, sometimes do it or never do it.

Companies always want to know how and where they stack up. Leaders want to make sure they are leading and laggers often want to catch up to the leaders.

A benchmark validates position and areas for improvement it also makes client think, "why aren't we doing that" or better yet, "why can't we do that"

[Patsi aka The Blog Squad]

You guys are the best! You brought up some great ways to get readers involved. kevinehuff, good point and 'duh!' Of course it should start with the headline.

It's going to be fun choosing 3 random winners. We'll be pulling names out of a hat this weekend and announcing winners on Monday.

Be sure to subscribe to get updates so you don't miss the notice of winners, cuz you'll have to pick which book you want and email me your mailing address.

[Lisa @ Serah's]

If you click on the link that's hyperlinked to my name with my this post, that's exactly what I did. I asked my readers to think about using what they know best or what they can do best that would help us if they were stranded on an island with a group of people. I'd like for you and your readers to participate.

[Dean]

I really link the way Darren Rowse has been using twitter lately e.g. http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/11/07/how-to-get-media-coverage-for-your-blog/

where he asks a question on twitter before writing the blog post. Then puts the responses at the bottom of the blog post.

It is social proof of people responding to the subject manner before the comments pane has a single character in it.

Feels like it's already a discussion.

[Patsi aka The Blog Squad]

Lisa@serah's: Wow! That's a clever idea over on your blog. Thanks for sharing this with us. I submitted my answer...

Dean: Thanks for pointing out Darren's clever use of OPC: other people's content. We use Twitter to drive traffic over to our blogs, but I hadn't thought of asking twitter followers to contribute ideas and then republishing them on the blog. That's genius! But then Darren is a blogging whiz kid...

[Suzie Cheel]

Ask your reader what they do when they get stuck, bloggers block- how do they get the idea that get's them moving again.

Develop a series that your readers can be part of- looking ahead

Look at Liz Strauss's 25 words projects http://www.successful-blog.com/1/25-words-of-work-life-wisdom-pass-it-on/

[Kathleen Gage]

Blow off some steam about a timely issue. If something comes up in your day or your business that bothers you, write about it. There are bound to be others who are going through something similar who are more than happy to comment.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer

[George]

Write about a common issue. Provide a good solution.