Are You Writing Click-Candy or Online Tumblweed?

The more I write the more I understand what makes you lot read my words. Every day millions of articles are pumped out onto the internet in one form or another. All vying for your attention trying to get that click, attention, like or comment. Some are successful, some though just disappear into oblivion never to be seen again. Those hours and hours of a human’s life wasted to become the brushwood of the online world. Imagine how many hours of human life are swishing around down there, never to be seen or see the light of a PC or tablet screen.

So how do you make someone click? How do you stand out from the noise and get that all elusive press of the left mouse button?

What I have found to be key is the title, in fact I would go as far to say that perhaps the only thing that is important IS the title. Without a compelling title no-one will give your article a moments notice. You need to be clever, creative, obtuse, confrontational, decisive, divisive and interesting. You need to challenge the reader not to click. Of course you must then write something that is light, fun, educational and good to read. But first must come the title.

So what shouldn’t you write? Years ago it was the mantra that if you wanted people to click you had to write a how to article which said 3, 5, 7 ways to whatever. You had to ensure that the number was odd as odd numbers got more clicks than even. Hey I've got a load of them. Unfortunately, so has everyone else. 

7 ways to...... (do a Google search and just see how many '7 ways to' articles there are out there. 621 million if you don’t have time!) or '5 ways to' (623 million) and heaven’s forbid if you write a '11 ways to' article! Then you really are fighting samurai warrior with a toothpick. Over a billion of these blasted pieces exist!

What is in, is out just as quickly. The world of information has changed yet again. To stand out from the continuous noise that surrounds all of us you must be loud. You must say something different to make that noise. If you don't, people won't read. Put a twist on subjects that have been covered time and time again - have something to say that is meaningful, insightful and veer away from a sales pitch at all costs.

Of course if you already have your followers and were one of the lucky few who had the foresight to begin writing content early on you, you've been able to write whatever you want. Or if you are a fat bottomed lady married to a mediocre pop star, just carrying a dog will go viral. For the rest of us unfortunates - the world is different.

Yes, you need to think. You need to ensure it fits your brand identity, has a unique tone or at least atone that is consistent and personal. Of course if you aren’t interested in all that you could just post a funny video of your cat or carry on producing brushwood.

So now like this article. Share it. Help others realise the mistakes they are making. Above all though - go on, make me famous! Please...please...pretty please! 

Oh yeah, and don't beg...it's not a good look!