Writing Engaging Content for News Articles

An SEO trick every content marketer should know. When we looked at 5000 websites that generate more than 100,000 visitors a month, on average, we saw that 20% of their content drove 68.12% of their SEO traffic. So, instead of spending more time publishing new blog posts, focus on expanding your most popular blog posts. Log into Google Search Console, see what keywords your most popular posts rank for, and make sure you cover those topics thoroughly in that blog post. What you'll find is you'll rank for keywords at the bottom of page 1 and on page 2 that you barely cover within your blog post, and if you expand upon those keywords within that blog post, you'll start ranking higher for those terms. The key is to make sure your content is extremely high quality, you're not just adding fluff, and you're keyword stuffing. This only works if the content is amazing and expanding it adds more value to the visitor.

Marketer: Let’s publish the blog today! Me: Sure, but don’t forget THIS: Traffic is the result. Structure is the driver. Here’s what most people miss when writing blogs: The title tag is your first impression on Google The intro determines if anyone scrolls further Internal & external links guide both readers and search engines Supporting visuals turn skimmers into readers The CTA? That’s where the conversion happens Every blog post is a mini marketing funnel but only if it's structured right. In other words: SEO is not just about keywords. It’s about how you guide the reader through the page. Blog posts require more than just good writing. From headlines to → links, Each part plays a role in keeping readers engaged and boosting SEO. Here’s a breakdown of what matters: Title Tag - Under 60 characters - Main keyword at the start - Clear, click-worthy phrasing - Matches search intent URL Slug - Short and descriptive - Includes main keyword - Avoids stop words (a, the, and, etc.) Main Blog Heading (H1) - Includes the main keyword naturally - Aligned with title tag - Catchy and user-friendly Introduction - Hooks reader with a question, stat, or bold statement - Clearly explains what the blog is about - Uses keyword in the first 1–2 sentences Featured Image - High-quality and relevant image - Keyword-rich alt text added - Visually supports blog topic - Helps with AI + SEO recognition Subheadings (H2 / H3) - Use H2 for main sections - Use H3 (and H4 if needed) for sub-sections - Breaks content into easy-to-read parts - Include keywords naturally Internal Links - Link to at least 1–2 relevant internal pages - Use clear, descriptive anchor text - Helps guide readers & distribute page authority External Links - Link to 1–2 trusted external sources - Add credibility and context -  Anchor text is descriptive and relevant Supporting Visuals - Includes graphs, charts, or illustrations - Adds clarity to complex ideas - All visuals have labels + keyword-based alt text Call to Action (CTA) - Invite user to take action (comment, download, try, etc.) - CTA is clearly visible and relevant to blog content Conclusion - Summarizes main ideas or takeaways - Optionally includes a closing CTA or question Marketer: Why isn’t our blog ranking? Me: No structure Weak intro No CTAs or internal links Google sees chaos, not clarity Want results? Fix your structure first. Source Insights: Semrush https://lnkd.in/ebacNpeb ♻️ Repost it to share with your network. Follow me Madhav Mistry for insights on marketing #semrushambassador

Most don't use ChatGPT and AI for SEO. Here's what you're missing: 1/ Keyword Research AI can expand your seed terms into hundreds of variations. Prompt: “List 20 long-tail keywords similar to ‘ecommerce SEO’ with traffic potential.” 2/ Keyword Clustering Group related keywords into themes for one piece of content. Prompt: “Cluster these 30 keywords into 5 groups based on search intent.” 3/ Search Intent Labeling Label keywords as Informational, Commercial, or Transactional. Prompt: “Categorize these 25 keywords into intent types with reasoning.” 4/ Content Ideation Generate blog, landing page, or resource ideas around core keywords. Prompt: “Give me 10 blog ideas for ‘AI in SEO’ targeting SaaS founders.” 5/ Blog Title Creation Come up with attention-grabbing, SEO-friendly titles. Prompt: “Create 10 engaging listicle titles for ‘SEO content strategy’.” 6/ Outline & Subtopics Map H1s, H2s, and FAQs before writing. Prompt: “Build a content outline for the keyword ‘best SEO tools 2025’.” 7/ First Draft Writing Spin up a draft in minutes that you then refine. Prompt: “Write a 1,000-word blog post for ‘technical SEO checklist’ with bullets and examples.” 8/ Metadata Generation Create SEO titles and meta descriptions at scale. Prompt: “Write 5 meta descriptions under 155 characters for ‘AI SEO tools’.” 9/ Content Optimization Improve readability, add entities, and boost on-page SEO. Prompt: “Rewrite this blog section to be shorter, clearer, and optimized for ‘E-E-A-T SEO’.” 10/ E-E-A-T Enhancement Layer in experience, authority, and trust signals. Prompt: “Suggest ways to add first-hand experience to this article about link building.” 11/ Internal Linking Suggestions Build smart interlinks between related posts. Prompt: “Suggest 5 internal linking opportunities between these blog URLs.” 12/ Competitor Content Gap Analysis Compare your site against a competitor’s top pages. Prompt: “Analyze competitor.com/blog and find 10 content gaps we can cover.” 13/ Repurposing Blog Content Turn articles into LinkedIn posts, threads, and videos. Prompt: “Rewrite this blog intro into a 7-post LinkedIn carousel script.” 14/ Featured Snippet Optimization Rewrite answers for conciseness and snippet capture. Prompt: “Write a 45-word answer for ‘What is technical SEO?’” 15/ Backlink Outreach Drafting Generate outreach email drafts for link building. Prompt: “Write a polite email asking to add our guide to their resources page.” AI is not here to replace SEOs. It’s here to speed us up and systemize tasks. The key is adding strategy, human judgment, and brand voice. SEOs who mix AI + expertise will always win. Find this useful? Repost ♻️ to help others learn too. P.S. Want SEO to drive leads to your business? Let's chat: https://lnkd.in/gYccSVY8

Want your words to actually sell? Here’s a simple roadmap I've found incredibly helpful: Think of crafting your message like taking someone on a mini-journey: 1. Hook them with curiosity: Your headline is the first "hello."  Make it intriguing enough to stop the scroll.  Instead of just saying "Email Marketing Tips," try something like "Want a 20% revenue jump in the next 60 days? (Here's the email secret)."  See the difference? Promise + Specificity = Attention. 2. Tell a story with a villain: This might sound dramatic, but hear me out.  What's the problem your audience is facing?  What's the frustration, the obstacle, the "enemy" they're battling?  For the email example, maybe it's "wasting hours on emails that no one opens."  Giving that problem a name creates an instant connection and a sense of purpose for your solution. 3. Handle the "yeah, but..." in their head: We all have those internal objections.  "I don't have time," "It costs too much," "Will it even work for me?"  Great copy anticipates these doubts and addresses them head-on within the message. 4. Show, don't just tell (Proof!): People are naturally skeptical.  Instead of just saying "it works," show them.  Even a simple "Join thousands of others who've seen real results" adds weight. Testimonials, even short ones, are gold. 5. Make it crystal clear what you want them to do (CTA):   Don't leave them guessing!  "Learn the exact steps in my latest guide" or "Grab your free checklist now" are direct and tell them exactly what to do and what they'll get.  Notice the benefit in the CTA example: "Get sculpted abs in just 4 weeks without dieting." And when you're thinking about where you're sharing this (LinkedIn post, email, etc.), there are different ways to structure your message. The P-A-S (Problem-Agitate-Solution) or A-I-D-A (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action) frameworks are classics for a reason. The core difference I've learned? Good copywriting isn't about shouting about your amazing product. It's about understanding them – their challenges, their desires – and positioning your solution as the answer in a way that feels like a conversation, not a sales pitch.

2000: Send press release → Land Forbes feature. 2025: Send press release → Journalist skims it → Then checks your LinkedIn → Skims your company blog → Listens to your podcast clip → Scans Twitter mentions → Reads competitor coverage → Scrolls 3–6 months back on your feed → Then replies. Most climate founders still think their tech will sell itself. They write a pitch email, cross their fingers, and get ignored. But it's not 2000 anymore. Journalists aren't waiting in their inbox. And the only founders they write about? The ones who already look like the obvious voice in the space. So if you want media exposure, don't start with PR. Start with consistent content that makes you impossible to ignore. Here's how: Tip 1: Pick one platform and own it completely. For climate founders, that's LinkedIn. Post 2–3 times per week with a mix of founder lessons, industry takes, and behind-the-scenes updates. Journalists check LinkedIn first. Make sure there's substance when they do. Tip 2: Publish one 800-word thought leadership article per month. Post it on LinkedIn, your company blog, or send it as a personal newsletter. Doesn't matter where. What matters is depth. These longer pieces show journalists you can think beyond hot takes. They give reporters substance to quote and link to. And they position you as someone with real expertise, not just engagement tactics. Tip 3: Document your founder journey publicly (the messy parts included) Share the decisions you're making in real time. The regulatory hurdles. The failed pilots. The customer conversations that changed your roadmap. Journalists love founders who are transparent, not polished. Vulnerability builds trust faster than any press kit. Tip 4: Connect with hundreds of journalists and PR folks proactively, months before you need them. 100s of journalists cover climate, tech, and startups. Start building relationships now, not when you're ready to pitch. Comment on their work. Share their articles with your take. Send a DM when they publish something that resonates. Tip 5: Make it stupid-easy for them to cover you. When a journalist does check you out, they should find: • Data points they can cite • Clear founder bios with credentials • High-res photos ready to download • A media kit or one-pager on your site • Quotable soundbites in your recent posts Remove every excuse for them to pass on your story. — The reality? PR doesn't work anymore if you're starting from zero visibility. But if you've been showing up consistently, journalists will come looking for you. That's when the press release actually works. — Founders, what's one story in your industry you wish a journalist would cover right now?

B2B content marketing doesn’t have to be boring. It has to be interesting enough to keep people reading - yes, that's tough 💁♀️ This is Part 3 of my series on frameworks that move your readers - and your funnel - forward. Today: The Breadcrumb Structure 🍪 Think Hansel & Gretel… but with content strategy. → Every section ends with a mini-hook or cliffhanger. → Every paragraph drops a hint about what’s coming next. → It’s content that pulls you forward - on purpose. Why it works: This structure is perfect for today’s skimming, multitasking readers. Instead of trying to force them to read more, you give them a reason to want to. It creates momentum in your writing. And that momentum increases time on page, scroll depth, and yes - even conversions. An example? Let’s say you’re a WhatsApp automation tool. Instead of dumping all your features in a list, try this in your product-led blog series: “Most teams lose leads in the first 5 minutes. What if your WhatsApp bot responded in 5 seconds?” (Next section) “Here’s how one eComm brand cut manual replies by 78% using smart replies and what you can copy.” (Next section) “But bots alone aren’t enough. You also need timing - let’s break down 3 rules that drive replies.” Each section teases what’s next 👉 Each point earns the next scroll. Each insight nudges the reader closer to the CTA. Best practices when using the Breadcrumb Structure ✨ → End each section with a question, data point, or hint to build curiosity. → Don’t answer everything upfront - layer your value. → Use it in sequences: lead nurture emails, serialized blog posts, onboarding flows. → Always tie the final “breadcrumb” to your CTA or next step in the funnel. Because content shouldn’t just inform - it should invite your reader to keep going. — Exploring new ways to create better content? Follow me for more such frameworks and don't forget to check the previous ones! 💖 PS. Reach out to Contensify | B2B SaaS Content Marketing if you need help scaling your content marketing efforts 💬 #b2bsaas #b2bcontent #copywritingtips #contentmarketingtips #saascontent #b2bmarketing

Interactive content has evolved from a novelty to a fundamental strategy for publishers aiming to enhance audience engagement in 2025. As readers increasingly seek immersive experiences, publishers are incorporating gamification elements, such as quizzes, polls, and interactive narratives, to transform passive consumption into active participation. This approach not only captivates audiences but also fosters a deeper connection with the content. Polls, for instance, are a powerhouse tool. Embedded directly into articles, they turn passive readers into active contributors, boosting time spent on-page and uncovering preferences traditional analytics miss. These insights enable publishers to refine their content strategies while fostering a sense of community, a win-win for trust and relevance. Publishers like The New York Times have pioneered this approach for over a decade. Their iconic "How Y’all, Youse, and You Guys Talk" dialect quiz, launched 10 years ago, became the most-read article in the outlet’s history at the time and remains a blueprint for hyperlocal publishers. By leveraging regional dialects, it transformed linguistic curiosity into a nationwide conversation while fostering micro-community connections—proof that localised interactive tools drive sustained engagement. Hyperlocal publishers are now building on this legacy. For example, TribLive’s 2023 “Can You Pass This Pittsburgh Slang Quiz?” became a viral sensation in Western Pennsylvania, testing readers’ knowledge of phrases like “yinz” and “jaggerbush.” This playful interactive piece not only celebrated regional identity but also drove record traffic and social shares, showcasing how dialect-driven content strengthens community ties. Also, incorporating game-like elements taps into readers' intrinsic motivations, such as the desire for achievement and competition. This strategy enhances user satisfaction and encourages repeat visits, thereby increasing engagement and loyalty. Here are the key takeaways for publishers: 1.    Implement Interactive Elements: Integrate features like quizzes and polls to create engaging content formats. 2.    Understand Audience Preferences: Tailor interactive components to align with your readers' interests and behaviors. 3.    Measure and Optimise: Regularly evaluate the performance of interactive content to refine strategies and maximise engagement. Interactive content is shaping the future of digital publishing. By embracing gamification and incorporating tools like polls into editorial strategies, publishers can craft compelling experiences that not only attract but also retain readers. What interactive formats have you found most effective? Share your experiences and examples in the comments below! #DigitalPublishing #InteractiveContent #Gamification #AudienceEngagement #PublishingInnovation

Everyone talks about “thought leadership”… but few actually become one. 𝗪𝗵𝘆? Because most people are chasing virality, not credibility. If you’re serious about being seen as a thought leader on LinkedIn, it’s not about sounding smart — it’s about being consistently valuable. Here are 7 ways to build a personal brand that earns trust and positions you as a thought leader 👇 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲 Pick a specific area you want to be known for — and stick to it. Thought leaders are not generalists. They are go-to voices for a focused topic. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 Don’t wait until you’re “ready.” Share your process, lessons, experiments, and even mistakes. People relate to journeys, not just destinations. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗢𝗩 Don’t just repeat what’s trending. Share your own take. Thought leadership is about adding original thinking — not echoing the algorithm. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗴𝗼 Let your real-world insights speak for you. Storytelling backed by experience always beats theory copied from a thread. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 You don’t need to post daily. But you do need to show up regularly. Let people see your evolution over time — that’s how authority is built. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 Engage in the comments. Ask bold questions. Respond to others. Thought leaders listen as much as they speak. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 Break things down. Simplify the complex. When you educate with generosity, people begin to see you as a trusted guide. 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙙. It’s earned with one honest, valuable post at a time. What’s one thing you want to be known for on LinkedIn? Follow #socialJJ to read more posts on personal branding. #personalbranding

10 hooks that always grab attention: (And templates you can use in under 30 seconds) Hooks are like headlines on the news. If it’s not urgent, high value or emotional - no one stops to read them. Yet people make the same mistakes: ❌ Try to sound inspirational over interesting, “Believe in yourself…” ❌ Vague promises that mean nothing, “This changed everything for me.” ❌ Follow a generic AI template like, “It’s not X, it’s Y.” Then wonder why their content is ignored. AI fatigue is at an all-time high. Every third post sounds exactly the same. The same hook, the same tone, the same problems and solutions. In the sea of sameness, clever hooks don’t stand out. Original, personal hooks do. The ones that spark tension, curiosity, even a little anxiety. Try using these 10 types of hooks (and their templates): 1/ Authority Hooks • Hooks rooted in personal stories and expertise build trust. • “We analysed 318,842 LinkedIn posts in Q3 2025. And LinkedIn has changed…” 2/ Conversation Hooks • A real dialogue instantly pulls readers into a moment. • “CEO: I’m firing our VP Sales. Me: How long have they been here?” 3/ Curiosity Hooks • State a bold claim, then tease the evidence. • “This chart is the clearest signal of where the internet is heading.” 4/ Contrarian Hooks • Challenge an accepted belief to create instant tension. • “Stop building your personal brand. Build this instead.” 5/ Pattern Break Hooks • Interrupt the reader with an unexpected truth. • “Your skills aren’t the problem. Your perspective is.” 6/ Personal Story Hooks • Go emotional and relatable without oversharing. • “Growing up, I never thought I’d get married. I was terrified I wouldn’t be a good partner.” 7/ Numbers Hooks • Data and specifics build credibility fast. • “You commit the 7 deadly sins of prompting - here’s how to fix them.” 8/ Disagreement Hooks • Attack a widely accepted “truth” to create friction and interest. • “Boring content is dead. You can follow every “rule” - and still be forgettable.” 9/ Nobody-Tells-You Hooks • Reveal a hidden truth people feel but never say. • “I interviewed 50 people who quit their jobs in 2024. Nobody tells you the real reason why:” 10/ I Was Wrong Hooks • Admit a mistake that leads to an unexpected lesson. • “The day I stopped fearing smart people was the day that changed my life.” Don’t try to sound clever. Aim to make the reader feel something - tension, excitement, or even a bit of fear. That’s what makes people stop the scroll. 📌 Want a high-res PDF of this sheet? Get it here: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b ♻️ Repost to help your network write better hooks. ➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Stop asking ChatGPT to "Write a post for me." That's why your posts feel robotic. And why engagement stays flat. If you want posts that actually connect with your audience and drive action, you need to give it direction and personality. Use these prompts instead: 1. The Thought Leadership Post "Write a LinkedIn post about [topic] that positions me as a thought leader. Start with a bold, scroll-stopping hook. Share a personal insight or contrarian perspective that makes people think differently. Include 3 actionable takeaways. End with a thought-provoking question that sparks discussion. Keep it conversational and authentic, not corporate." 2. The Problem-Solution Post "Create a LinkedIn post that addresses this problem my audience faces: [describe problem]. Open with a relatable scenario they'll recognize immediately. Explain why this problem matters and what's at stake. Offer a clear, practical solution with specific steps. End by asking readers to share their biggest challenge with this issue." 3. The Story-Driven Post "Write a LinkedIn post based on this experience: [describe experience/lesson]. Start with a compelling story hook that draws people in emotionally. Build to the key lesson or realization. Translate it into 2-3 actionable principles others can apply to their work. Invite readers to share similar experiences or what resonated most with them." 4. The Data-Backed Post "Create a LinkedIn post around this insight or data: [your insight/stat]. Lead with the most surprising or counterintuitive finding. Explain why this matters right now and what's changing in the industry. Break down 3 strategic actions your audience should take based on this. Ask what trends they're noticing in their own experience." 5. The Myth-Busting Post "Write a LinkedIn post that challenges this common belief: [belief/myth]. Call out the myth directly with a strong opening statement. Explain why this belief is limiting people and what the reality actually is. Provide 3 specific ways to shift their approach. End by asking what other misconceptions they want addressed." 6. The Value-Packed List Post "Create a LinkedIn post sharing [number] lessons/tips/insights about [topic]. Start with a hook that explains why these matter. Present each point clearly with a brief explanation of how to apply it. Make it scannable but substantial. End by asking which point resonated most or what they'd add to the list." 7. The Personal Win Post "Write a LinkedIn post about this achievement or result: [describe achievement]. Open with the specific outcome in a humble but confident way. Share the 3 key strategies or decisions that made it possible, being honest about challenges faced. Break down how others can apply these strategies. Ask readers what's working for them or what they're currently testing." P.S. ~ For more updates like this: 1. Scroll to the top 2. Click "View my newsletter" 3. Subscribe, and you'll never miss a thing in the world of AI ever again.