{"id":95054,"date":"2017-10-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-12T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/problogger.com\/?p=95054"},"modified":"2017-10-12T22:08:17","modified_gmt":"2017-10-12T11:08:17","slug":"make-your-blog-posts-more-conversational","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/problogger.com\/make-your-blog-posts-more-conversational\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Simple Ways to Make Your Blog Posts More Conversational"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"make-blog-post-conversational.jpg\"<\/p>\n

This post is by ProBlogger writing expert Ali Luke<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard that your blog posts need to be \u201cconversational\u201d.<\/p>\n

You may also have been told why: to create a sense of connection with your reader, keep them engaged, and make your blog sound less like a lecture and more like a discussion.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s all true. But making your writing \u201cconversational\u201d can be tricky \u2013 especially if you come from a business or academic writing background.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your blog posts tend to sound a little dry and stilted, here are three simple ways to change things.<\/p>\n

#1: Talk Directly to Your Reader<\/span><\/h2>\n

Write your post as if you\u2019re talking a specific reader. Picturing an actual person may help – someone you know in real life, or who comments on your blog. You could even imagine you\u2019re emailing them, or writing a Facebook post or comment.<\/p>\n

And use words like \u201cI\u201d and \u201cyou\u201d, even though you were probably taught not<\/span>\u00a0to at school or work. When you\u2019re blogging it\u2019s totally fine to write from your personal experience, and to invite the reader to step into your post.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example from Jim Stewart\u2019s post 9 Tips for Recovering Your Google Rankings After a Site Hack<\/a><\/span>. (I\u2019ve highlighted each use of \u201cyou\u201d and \u201cyour\u201d.)<\/p>\n

If your<\/span>\u00a0WordPress site has been hacked, fear not. By following these tips you<\/span>\u00a0can fortify your<\/span>\u00a0site and kick wannabe hackers to the kerb.<\/p>\n

And provided you<\/span>\u00a0act quickly, your<\/span>\u00a0WordPress site\u2019s SEO traffic\u2014and even its reputation\u2014can recover within 24 hours.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is clear, direct writing that speaks to the reader\u2019s problem. And it\u2019s easy to read and engage with: it\u2019s almost like having Jim on the phone, talking you through fixing things.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/span>\u00a0As Jim does here, always try to use the singular \u201cyou\u201d rather than the plural \u201cyou\u201d. Yes, you hopefully have more than one reader. But each one will experience your blog posts individually. Avoid writing things like \u201csome of you\u201d unless you\u2019re deliberately trying to create a sense of a group environment (perhaps in an ecourse).<\/p>\n

#2: Use an Informal Writing Style<\/span><\/h2>\n

All writing exists somewhere on a spectrum from very formal to very informal. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n

Very formal:<\/span>\u00a0Users are not permitted to distribute, modify, resell, or duplicate any of the materials contained herein.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formal:<\/span>\u00a0Your refund guarantee applies for 30 calendar days from the date of purchase. To request a refund, complete the form below, ensuring you include your customer reference number.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neutral:<\/span>\u00a0Once you\u2019ve signed up for the newsletter list, you\u2019ll get a confirmation email. Open it up, click the link, and you\u2019ll be all set to get the weekly emails.<\/span><\/p>\n

Informal:<\/span>\u00a0Hi Susan, could you send me the link to that ProBlogger thingy you mentioned earlier? Ta!<\/span><\/p>\n

Very informal:<\/span>\u00a0C U 2morrow!!!<\/span><\/p>\n

With your blogging, it\u2019s generally good to aim for an informal (or at least a neutral) register, as if you were emailing a friend. This makes you seem warm and approachable.<\/p>\n

Typically, you\u2019ll be using:<\/p>\n