A reward is something that recognizes an effort.

For example, I reward my children with dessert after dinner if they behave well. To help your dedicated followers, reward them with better writing.

Tap into your readers’ wants and desires.

• They want to leave your story with a reward.
• They want to be educated, entertained, and enlightened.

So, how do you reward readers with good content?

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3 tips to help reward readers with good content

The most important part of content creation is to consistently develop valuable, informative, and entertaining content. Readers will naturally be more inclined to engage with your content if it’s good.

Follow these three simple yet powerful tips to reward your readers with good content.

1. Keep it simple

Divide up your long sentences. Omit needless adjectives and adverbs. Cut useless transitions.

Each sentence should have one thought. More than one thought creates unnecessary complexity and invites confusion for the reader.

Have you ever read a sentence that was so long you forgot what it was about?

Put yourself in the shoes of the reader.

• Do they understand my main message?
• Am I writing clearly and concisely?
• Is my writing honest and memorable?

Construct each sentence with words that add value and keep it simple.

Understand that less is more. Pick each word carefully. Use longer words when there are no specific or shorter words that will do.

For example:

• Write use instead of utilize
• Pick the word help instead of facilitate
• Write start instead of commence

Good writing follows a minimalist approach. Using concise language, short sentences, and the right words appeals to a wider audience. Simplicity is a strength.

What’s the takeaway?

The best writing is simple writing. A great idea is delivered concisely and clearly. Simplicity is powerful.

Use tools like Sentence Checkup and Hemingway Editor to make sure your sentences are readable, concise, and impactful.

Use layman’s terms because an average person reads at an 8th-grade reading level. Less text keeps your reader’s attention and makes it readable.

2. Be specific

Details matter because they help you tell a better story. Stories can be told in a variety of ways. They pull you in and keep you captivated.

Great writers know when to be specific and when not to. Words make people feel differently and help them understand and remember stories.

Beginning writers make general statements while advanced writers are specific and concrete. The value of good content depends on the quality of the details.

To be a better writer, paint a picture in readers’ minds.

Specific words provide purpose, provide clarity, and provide imagery. Know when to use the best voice (active vs. passive).

For example, in the active voice, the dog bit the man, while in the passive voice, the man was bitten by the dog.

The active voice is the stronger, preferred choice.

Be precise with your words and avoid filler words and phrases such as:

• Basically
• Honestly
• Actually
• Seriously
• At the end of the day

Use bold adjectives in your story, such as audacious, brave, daring, and gutsy.

What’s the takeaway?

Readers reward stories that are specific. The more concentrated your language is in your story, the more vivid it will be. Using an active voice results in shorter, sharper, and easier sentences.

Reward your readers with specific examples. Active voice helps you communicate a mental picture and a solid argument. Specific details make it easier for people who don’t know English to understand.

3. Tell a good story

Don’t underestimate the power of a great and memorable story. Stories have been a way we communicate with each other since the beginning of time. It’s the stories you told around the campfire.

The best stories told around the fire had a local touch or came from someone’s personal experience.

Think about the atmosphere of campfire stories where you stayed up late, made s’mores, and told funny or scary stories.

Choose a central message, and have the story build the details around it.

Embrace conflict because all good stories have good vs. bad.

To become a better storyteller, observe good storytellers. Find out how they engage their audience. Find out how they set the mood for the story.

What’s the takeaway?

Our brains are wired to reward good stories. Have a clear structure with your story. Add personal experiences, but don’t make them too personal so your readers can’t relate.

Tell your listeners why your story is important and how the story affects them. Attract your readers’ interest. Telling a good story requires using words, phrases, and experiences they know to imagine it.

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Bringing it all together

To be a better writer, keep reminding yourself that less is more. Be specific, not vague. Tell a good story that lets your readers imagine themselves in it.

Remember, it’s essential to understand your readers and tailor your content to their preferences and needs.

Your content should create a positive and engaging experience. This will keep readers excited to consume your content.

Consistently update your content. This will give your readers a reason to keep returning to your website or newsletter.

Regular updates should be daily, weekly, or whatever schedule works best for your writing.

To get your message across to your readers more effectively, make sure you reward them with good content.

When you reward readers for consuming good content, you build engagement and encourage them to keep coming back for more.

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