I'm thinking about changing my writing style because I haven't been receiving any traffic to my site. Perhaps I'm too serious a writer...don't know...I don't want to "dumb" myself down...Sigh 
When is it necessary to change your writing style?
(4 posts) (4 voices)
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Good question. I recently read an article about your "ideal reader." Take a look at your blog and ask yourself, "...who is my target market?" Perhaps you're not writing for your target market. Look at your writing and see if you'd like to change your writing style. Maybe your blog could be revamped so your writing will "attract" the readers you desire to your blog.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I wouldn't look just at raw traffic as your motivation for changing your style. Is it more important to attract 200 analysts or CEO's or 100,000 kids?
What is your goal with the site?
Posted 10 months ago # -
HI Sarah
James makes a good point - it isn't about how many site visitors you're getting, it's about who they are and why they are at your site.
First sit down and ask yourself some questions like:
1. Who is your target audience?
2. What is it about your subject that appeals to them?
3. What information might they be seeking that you can provide?You may want to do some keyword research (use a free tool like Google's Keyword Tool - https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal) to see if you are writing with the most advantageous phrases in mind to reach your target audience.
As for your 'tone', that depends on the subject....is it a serious subject? Some people could be offended if you approach a serious subject with an inappropriate tone, other times it may call for a humorous approach to keep it from being depressing.
I would never advise "dumbing" yourself down, especially since that isn't the opposite of serious, but perhaps you can just lighten the tone and add some humor.
All that being said, probably the most important thing you can do it to find some people who typify your target audience (preferably NOT friends or family), and ask them to give you honest feedback on your site. There's a reason that big companies use Focus Groups (as opposed to employees or customers) to help them make decisions, large or small. Take advantage of the honesty of strangers to help you decide what direction to go in, or what changes you might make.
Posted 10 months ago #
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