Writing How-To Guides That Keep Readers Engaged

How to make content people don’t just consume—create content people save. Here are the keys to making saveworthy posts. 👇 Most people scroll past 95% of content. But they save the 5% that makes a real impact. Here’s how to create that 5%. Tactical Advice > Inspiration Motivation is nice. But practical, actionable tips? That’s what people save. → Break complex ideas into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Provide a framework or checklist that your audience can implement immediately. 💡 Example: Instead of saying, “Consistency is key to growth,” share: “Here’s a 3-step process to post consistently without burnout.” → Data-Backed Insights Generic advice gets scrolled past. But people stop when they see evidence. Use statistics, case studies, or personal examples to back up your claims. Show proof that your method works. 💡 Example: “90% of LinkedIn posts don’t generate engagement. Here’s the data-backed strategy I used to go from 0 to 500 comments per post in 60 days.” → Unique Perspectives Hot takes are a dime a dozen. But a fresh, contrarian view? That’s gold. Challenge conventional wisdom with a new perspective. Show why your approach is different. 💡 Example: I nstead of “work harder,” try: “Stop working harder. Here’s why rest might be your biggest productivity hack.” → High-Value Resources People save resources they can revisit. Offer free tools, templates, or guides that solve a specific problem. Create a downloadable checklist, guide, or infographic. 💡 Example: “Struggling to write engaging hooks? Here are 5 high-converting LinkedIn hooks you can use today (link to download).” → Simplified Complex Ideas Distilling complex ideas into simple language is a superpower. Take a difficult concept and break it down into 3 digestible steps. Simplify industry jargon into everyday language. 💡 Example: “Here’s how AI works in content creation, explained in under 30 seconds.” Takeaway: Saveworthy content = actionable, easy-to-follow, unique, and valuable. Make your posts something people don’t just scroll past—make them something people save and come back to. What’s the last post you saved? 👇 Let’s build a resource thread!

The Inverted Pyramid Writing principle is a must for us at Backlinko. Here’s 6 easy steps to nail down this approach —and engage your audience. Why do newspaper articles hook you right away? That’s because they follow the inverted pyramid: most important info at the top, and details follow in order of importance. The thing is folks wanna see solutions, not a huge chunk of text with overly complex jargon and hard-to-follow tips. Avoid that and get your audience by following these tips: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗜𝗣 (𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁) - What’s the most important thing your readers need to know? - Lead with that —make it clear from the first sentence. 2️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 - Readers are here for impact—they want to see how this info drives traffic, leads, or sales. - Prove it: Include a relevant stat, case study, or screenshot (think: growth charts, analytics dashboards, or even an email reply). - Highlight why the strategies or tools you're sharing work. 3️⃣ 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 - Put the next most important points right after the main one. - Save the smaller, extra info for later. 4️⃣ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 - Use plain language and get to the point fast. - Stick to short sentences, short paragraphs, and lists when you can. 5️⃣ 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Headlines, subheadings, and first sentences should tell people exactly what’s coming. - Don’t bury key info —make it easy to spot right away. 6️⃣ 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗮 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 - Think about including a short intro or bullet points to highlight the main takeaways. This applies to: ↳ The post as a whole ↳ Every section of a post ↳ Every new concept introduced in a post Remember: Must-have first, then the nice-to-have. 𝗣.𝗦. What's an "extra thing" you do in your content workflow to hook readers? —let me know in the comments.

When people start reading your post and then scroll off…the LinkedIn algorithm notices. It interprets this disengagement as a sign that your content wasn’t valuable. And downgrades its visibility so fewer people see it. So your goal is: Write posts people can’t stop reading. Here are 4 tips to make your content easy to finish. _____ //1 Start with short content. Long-form content (>2000 characters) *can* work. In fact, it can be some of the most engaging, authority-building, and lead-generating content out there. But it takes a lot of practice and nuance to hit the mark. If you’re starting out, my advice: Master short-form first. Practice writing posts where every sentence flows to the next. Where the visual structure is appealing and engaging. And where every word feels impactful. Then you can take those skills and expand. //2 Make it vivid with specificity. Infuse your post with details that take all your insights, facts, and figures… … And make them feel personally engaging and palpable. It’s a classic trick — Show, don’t tell. For example: “I got great results from a post last week.” Versus: “50+ comments from industry icons. 12 new leads. I was so happy I high-fived my cat.” The second example is more gripping *and* more informative. And it lets you feel the results yourself— That builds trust and connection. //3 Use strategic, spacious formatting. You’ve likely already heard the advice, “The more white space, the better.” But there are lots of tools you can leverage for strategic formatting. One approach: - Take any list - Or long sentence - And break it into three bullet points Another approach: Break long sentences in half. Then use connector words to keep the post flowing naturally. (Like I did with this one.) Some connector word examples: - Then - And - But - Or When in doubt: Read through your post. If you find your eyes skipping forward, break to a new line (as makes sense). //4 Simplify. Then simplify more. Most of us have been taught to extend our thoughts into elongated narrations; prose that knows no end; sentences that go on long, winding paths that challenge our analytic abilities. But you know where else those paths lead: The attention graveyard. Case and point → That entire first sentence could have been 7 words. “We’re taught to write detailed, complex sentences.” In your first draft, don’t edit yourself. Let it flow. Then: - Consider the core message you want to communicate. - Read your content aloud and cut anything that doesn’t add to it. - Experiment to see how much you can cut while still getting your point across. You can always add more storytelling back in later. ___ Try these tips out. And please, if you’re putting in consistent work and struggling to see results, be patient with yourself. Writing for LinkedIn is harder than people think. It’s a learning journey—one that we’re all on together.

How to Keep Your Reader’s Attention (even if the topic feels ordinary) Ever poured your effort and soul into writing a post, Only to feel like readers aren’t making it to the end? If you're like me at some point you've felt like your words weren't being completely read… What you’re missing are “Seeds of Curiosity.” Here’s how to plant your own Seeds of Curiosity in writing: 1. Employ the Cliffhanger Technique ↳It works like magic to keep readers engaged → End each section with a hint about what’s next. 2. Use Open Loops ↳This bit of suspense keeps readers scrolling → Begin a story, but hold back the ending. 3. Tease with Partial Information ↳This keeps them hooked for the rest → Drop a detail without the full explanation. 4. Ask Thought-Provoking Questions ↳They’ll keep reading to find out more → Questions make readers stop and think. 5. Start with a Curiosity Gap ↳Leave just enough out to spark interest → Give them a hint, not the whole story. Try planting these “seeds” into your next post, email, or article. You’ll notice readers staying with you till the very end. P.S. Hollywood is great at this. What movie have you seen that plants seeds of curiosity?