How Can You Improve Readability in Content Writing?
In the quest for clarity and engagement, we've gathered insights from six writing professionals, including Freelance Writers and a Content Strategist, on enhancing readability. From making content conversational to breaking down complex topics, discover the pivotal changes these experts implement to transform their writing.
- Make Content Conversational
- Use Transition Words and Active Voice
- Incorporate Facts and Statistics
- Focus on Structured Messaging
- Place Key Insights at the Top
- Break Down Complex Topics
Make Content Conversational
Improving readability can be a challenge, especially with technical or in-depth topics. But at the end of the day, your goal should be to write content that sounds conversational. No one wants to read paragraphs of condescending or pretentious copy that makes them doze off.
If you're struggling to boost readability, try one of the oldest tricks in the book: read your content aloud. If it doesn't sound conversational, consider how to make it feel like you're talking to the reader instead of at them. And don't forget to take advantage of formatting by using white space, bullet lists, and headings to make large text walls easier on the eyes.
Use Transition Words and Active Voice
I have a client who wants a readability score of 70+ on each and every blog I write. I've found that sprinkling in transition words (thus, however, therefore, etc.) boosts my readability score. Using active voice also helps. I use a free readability tool to check the readability of every paragraph I write before moving on to the next.
Incorporate Facts and Statistics
In my case, it involves adding facts and statistics, even if they are taken from not-so-well-known sources, because that gives weight to your overall piece and shows that you did your research. You read about it, thought about it, and passed it on. Just writing without stating any facts, statistics, or recent developments just makes it more of an opinion article or blog, whereas adding important numbers shows its credibility.
Focus on Structured Messaging
Structure.
You can have a good message, but if the structure is wrong, you can't communicate your message effectively to readers.
For me, the structure is all about:
1. Placement - where to place a line, heading, or whatever
2. Making your message scannable
3. Keeping it short, simple, and sweet.
Place Key Insights at the Top
A pivotal change to enhance readability is placing a concise 'key insight' or direct answer at the very top, separate from the introduction. This approach:
1. Delivers immediate value to the reader
2. Anchors the reader's understanding from the outset
3. Piques interest, encouraging further reading
This one- to two-sentence statement provides instant gratification while creating intrigue. It's not just a preview, but a standalone piece of valuable information that entices the reader to delve deeper.
By front-loading the core message, you respect the reader's time while simultaneously drawing them into the fuller exploration of your ideas.
This technique is particularly effective in our fast-paced information landscape, where capturing interest quickly is crucial.
Break Down Complex Topics
At Digital Web Solutions, we once faced a challenge with a technical guide we produced for novice users interested in digital marketing. The initial feedback revealed that the content was too dense and filled with industry jargon, which made it difficult for beginners to understand. To improve its readability, we implemented a significant change: we broke down the guide into a series of shorter, topic-specific articles. Each piece focused on one primary concept and included practical examples to illustrate the points clearly.
This restructuring allowed us to introduce complex ideas gradually, giving readers time to absorb information without feeling overwhelmed. We also employed more conversational language to make the articles feel less like a lecture and more like a dialogue. The result was a dramatic increase in user engagement and positive feedback. Readers expressed that the content was easier to digest and more enjoyable to read. This experience underscored the importance of adapting content to meet the needs and expectations of your audience.
