Essential Checklist for Creating High-Value Content

Overview of valuable content

The checklist is designed for digital content creators and marketing teams. It defines valuable content using these five factors:

• Findable
• Readable
• Understandable
• Actionable
• Shareable

So, here is what each point means:

Findable content

Remember: Unless something is sent directly to users, they probably will need to find it. Make sure you’re following the SEO guidelines to write or create searchable content.

For web page text optimized for SEO

• Use only one H1 and multiple H2 tags on your web pages because they help search engine ranking and break up text on a page.
• Customize the metadata (title, keywords, and description tag)
• Include links to other pages on the site to increase the content value
• Include alt tags on your photos and other images so they appear in image searches. Describing what image is about does the trick.

For video content marketing

• Post your video on YouTube or Facebook to increase the likelihood that it will be seen.

For audio content marketing

• Distribute in different formats, such as MP3, WAV, and WIFF, so it’s available to different audiences.
• Create a detailed summary and title where the content can be downloaded.
• House each audio clip on a relevant content page so that the text and audio support each other in SEO efforts by demonstrating relevant content to the search engines.
• Read more tips on audio content marketing.

Source: Easy Media

Readable content

When considering readability, remember that users scan until they find the content they need. Any great web article respects the person’s time.

• Inverted pyramid style of writing: The most important facts should be at the top.
• Chunking: Keep paragraphs short. No more than 3 sentences in a paragraph, and no more than three paragraphs under one heading.
• Use bullet points and numbered lists
• Consistent language: E.g. If you keep switching from your name to the use of the term “us,” it’s going to confuse your audience.

Understandable content

• Choose the right content type. E.g. If users have an “Aha!” moment when seeing something sketched, use a video or a slideshow instead of written text.
• Create personas for your different user audiences and match the level of the content’s complexity to the user’s ability to understand it.
• Always provide context, consider explaining even the most basic concepts to your users.
• Apply a standard reading level to your content for each project and stick to it. It should be based on the market research that you’ve done on your buyer personas.
• Provide valuable information to the user. For instance, provide new ideas or use metaphors help people understand better.

Actionable content

• Include an enticing call to action.
• Make it easy for users to comment and ask questions, both publicly and privately.
• Provide links to relevant content and sources.
• If the content is long, include a list of actionable items at the top.

Shareable content

• Provoke an emotional response with your readers. For example, people are more likely to share controversial stories. While you’re crafting that perfect viral content, be wary of slipping offensive messages that could hurt your brand.
• Provide a reason to share.
• Ask your audience insightful questions.
• Make sharing easy. Include options to share your content on the readers’ social media.
• Allow users to personalise the share, such as add hashtags or reference other sources.