How to Write Actionable Content

11 replies
Everyone has their own specific writing styles based on their own specific preferences. Some people prefer to write more descriptively while others would prefer to write more o the romantic side. If you're reading this, you prefer to write more about actionable content i.e full of suspense with a dominating plot.

Actionable content:
Action content is not limited to fiction, other professions such as journalism also mostly focuses on actionable content since that attracts more audiences in their fields. However, action content is probably the hardest one to write since you need a strong grasp on the story. You need to make the plot dominate the entire article or story, however, you can't escape the storyline or else the content is all wrong. Cases when you need to write actionable articles/stories:

1) In case of stories, it is entirely up to you to write whichever way you prefer. However, you can't change the story line. For example, if you're writing a series and it's predominant theme is action. Then you can't just change it into a romantic story somewhere along the way. You can add romantic elements, sure, but you can't change the story line all together.

2) Action articles are mostly used in journalism where you need to focus your story on the topic which, in most cases, is suspense filled. For example; in an article about a robbery, you need to title your content in such a way that it gives the audience a general idea about the robbery itself. It shouldn't be so plain to just say it’s not about a robbery nor should it be so complex that the person thinks of it to be something else entirely.

Tips on how to write an actionable article:
These tips are all given in reference to the different parts of articles such as headings, plots etc.

Title:
1) First and foremost, come up with an article which tells the reader about the article. In DIY articles, for example, the title is basically just telling you about the project at hand. Similarly, in articles about scandals then you need to write the title in a way in which the reader is wondering about the article at hand since they have no idea what it's about and only go for the picture provided with the article. A title for an actionable article is supposed to be written in such a way that the reader has a general idea of what the content is about and what happened exactly, however, you need to establish a certain amount of mystery to the article so the reader is compelled to read the article.

2) Do not make it sound any more dramatic than it actually is. If you're writing an action article then surely the title is dramatic since, well, action. People often over-do it by adding something extra to the title even though it wasn't necessary. When writing romantic content, you add more words and use metaphorical details to compel the reader. This is done since the article is revolving around a certain plot and the writer tries to intensify the title rather than the article. If you're writing action content such as something related to an abduction, then you can't intensify the already intense story or else you'll sound way off course.

Introductory Paragraph:
The introductory paragraph basically provides an overview of what's ahead in the article or in the story. In a story it is often a brief summary or an extract taken from the story itself which provides the most insight on the entire story. The introductory paragraph is essential to write to perfection since it determines whether the reader wants to go ahead with the content or not. In action articles, you need to write it in such a way that it remains short but full of details. The reason being that the plot is supposed to be the dominating part, not this. Hence, make it short, filled with enough details but not with all the details since you need to write something left for the plot.

Plot:
1) The plot is the most important part of whatever it is that you're writing. It is essential for any good article or story but even more important for action articles. Without the plot, the reader is just reading into nothing. A strong plot is enough for you to be known to the readers as someone who can write good. If you're able to write a few articles with a good plot, you'll earn writer credit i.e people would want to read more and more of what you write and with more good plots, they'll read more and so on. However, it is more easy to get a plot wrong than right. This will only discredit you.

2) Add all the details into the plot even details you've mentioned in the introduction or the title, elaborate them or put them in as it is but add them nonetheless. Primarily focus on elaboration. A good action article is filled with more description. Write more and more in detail to get the most reaction out of your audience. They need to be able to feel every aspect of your story.

3) The length of the plot has to be roughly 1/2 of the entire story. The other half is distributed amongst the beginning, ending and all the images. Hence, the plot is the longest.

Ending:
1) The ending is supposed to give the reader the conclusion of all that has just been described - the summary and the writers views on everything. It tells everyone the 'in short'. If your content is about an ongoing story then end the article on a note such as 'more will be added later on' or 'this doesn't end here'. Leave the suspense so that the reader keeps coming back to your story to know what's going on.

2) Keep on adding more to the ending. If the story is ongoing then don't just leave the reader at a cliff-hanger and forget all about the article, keep adding more and more so that you'll earn writers credit hence establishing you as a writer who'll finish what he or she begins.

Pictures:
1) I've already mentioned that you shouldn't add more drama to an already dramatized content. Similarly, you can't add more horrifying pictures or more censored pictures than what you should.

2) If you can't find pictures relating to the article itself, than find images which relate to the article. Leave the more suspense image for the thumbnail and then distribute the other images in a way that the plot gets the second most suspense filled image.
#actionable #content #write
  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Great information.

    If I may, let me add a few tips.

    Pictures help but each step of the process must be clearly focused on one key action.

    Avoid confusing the reader by packing many different actions in each step.

    It's also a good idea to tell people WHY they are taking an action. Include this, AS NEEDED, with each step.

    People are more eager to figure out HOW to do things if they are clear on WHY they should do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author dana67
    Great post and tips silveroaks! Thanks for sharing!


    Titles that elicit curiosity can be effective too. You need a title that catches a potential reader's attention and makes them want to read your post.
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  • Great tips! These are very handy especially if you want to learn how to do proper copy writing. A good, actionable content is all about your market. As a writer, you need to know your market well- what they want, what they need, and what makes them buy your product. Targeting the emotions is one old but super effective trick to convert your readers to buyers.
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  • Profile picture of the author CityCowboy
    Great Advice!

    Generally, people who write actionable content want their readers to buy something through their affiliate links, but most of the times people appreciate actionable and practical content, not just the theory stuff that you can't practice.
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  • Profile picture of the author TomWest
    Thank you for these great tips! I totally agree with all of them!
    As for the title, then people wouldn't read your article when the title will be engaging and exciting! Then people will read your content!
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  • Profile picture of the author Volodymyr Ulitovskyy
    Banned
    very informative, thanks for sharing your wisdom!
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  • Profile picture of the author nabeels
    very nice and important keys you have discussed, really like it. best for new ones. Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author VerdinaNET
    Nice post with great tips for newbies. Thanks for sharing.
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  • Profile picture of the author gingerninjas
    Thanks for this post - I think it is a really valid formula and a great reminder of how to write actionable content.
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  • Profile picture of the author CShark
    Maybe, you've missed a handful of points in there. Actionable content is not only about pictures, or idea. It requires a lot of background research to start with, covering every aspect of the subject, along with subjects related to the subject.
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  • Profile picture of the author dkate9
    Great post, If we write quality content it should be reached to the concerned people, The first step in developing a content plan is to think carefully about the exact audience we want to communicate with. Thanks for sharing.
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