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3-2-1 Friday: A speedy way to understand your audience, writing great headlines, and simplifying your writing

22 Apr

Welcome to today’s issue of Efikó, a weekly newsletter by me, Dozie Anyaegbunam, with a focus on content marketing, writing, social strategy, and living your best life. THANK YOU for being here! I appreciate you.

Hi, Rockstars,

How’s the week been?

My whole body hurts. I spent Wednesday afternoon shoveling snow from the driveway. The good thing about that moment was watching my beloved club Arsenal pummel Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

This was my street right after Tuesday’s all-day snow.

But back to the world of content marketing.

3 Things I learned This Week

i.

We probably know this counterintuitively. But comedy is one of the fastest ways to get into your reader's mind. I have spent the past eight days reading about SDRs and AEs. But watching skits on Corporate Bro’s IG page taught me more than all those articles in less than three hours.

Stand-up comedians are astute observers of those little human quirks and nuances. And it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that online comedy skits are e-versions of standup comedy.

So, if you are looking to understand the nuances of your reader that makes them feel your article was written for them, go watch comedy skits talking about your audience.

ii.

Here are three copywriting rules for writing great headlines:

  • Cut right to the chase and tell the reader exactly what they’ll get (Example: Simple, foolproof tactics to increase your chances of making money as a content writer).

  • Offer fast, actionable results (Example: In ten minutes, I’ll teach you how to pitch in the cut-throat world of content marketing).

  • Highlight the problem and flirt with the reader by hinting at the solution ( Can’t seem to sign up a client to save your life? Read this).

ii.

A great way to simplify your writing? Use one or two-syllable words. Don’t believe me?

Go back to the last three emails you’ve written today and replace all the three or four-syllable words. And see how refreshing and straightforward the email is when reading it aloud.

2 Things I am Thinking About

i.

Nothing happens unless we make it happen. But remember, the only thing you control is what you put in. Not the outcome.

ii.

"Time is cruel. You’ll love it with all of your being, you may even pray for more of it, but the reality is that time doesn’t care about you. Your relationship with time is the ultimate unrequited love."

Sahil Bloom

1 Book Recommendation

The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole. Straight-to-the-point tactical advice for writing on the internet by Quora's one-time most read writer.

Content Writing Jobs

All the best, folks. Could you please share with any of your friends/colleagues who might find this helpful?

If you would love me to review your writing and give you feedback, you can book a time here. Or just hit the reply button.

Thanks for reading this far. I am grateful!

Be good out there. If you can't be good, be careful

I’ll be back on 4/29.

Dozie

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