5 Must-Have Elements for High-Quality Content
Imagine scrolling through your feed, coffee in hand. Then you stop, pause or maybe even scroll back to a piece of content. Why did you do that? It was probably because something caught your eye. Maybe it was a bold headline, the first sentence that reeled you in, or even a picture that was so eye-catching that it stopped your scroll.
You stop, pause or maybe even scroll back to a piece of content. Why did you do that?
Imagine scrolling through your feed, coffee in hand. Then you stop, pause or maybe even scroll back to a piece of content. Why did you do that? It was probably because something caught your eye. Maybe it was a bold headline, the first sentence that reeled you in, or even a picture that was so eye-catching that it stopped your scroll👀
This is called high-quality content, or as I often say, "scroll stoppers"! And after years of creating content for both myself and now my clients, I’ve found that the best content always includes these five key elements:
1. Clarity Over Complexity. Think of your content as a well-organized message. It doesn't include extra "fluff", it gets to the point, it's clear, and your reader or recipient knows the purpose of the message and/or instructions for the next step. 📌Tip: Before publishing, reread your content and ask, would a busy person understand this in 10 seconds? If not, simplify.
2. A Strong Hook. Your first sentence is your front door. Is it inviting, or is it making people walk past? A strong hook can be a question, a bold statement, or a relatable moment. If you don’t hook people in the first few seconds, they won’t make it to the good stuff or even give your content a chance. 📌Tip: Pretend your content is a book...would your opening line make someone want to keep reading?
3. Value-Providing Content. Have you ever gone to a workshop and walked away thinking, that was a waste, or I didn't gain anything from that hour? The same applies to your content. Provide a clear takeaway for your readers. ✔️Provide a tip, ✔️a mindset shift, or ✔️an opportunity to reflect on the topic. 📌 Tip: Before posting, ask yourself: Does this teach, inspire, or help my audience in some way? If not, refine it.
4. A Clear Next Step. Have you ever read something and didn't know what to do next. A good piece of content always has a call-to-action (CTA). This doesn't have to be salesy. It could be something as simple as: ✔️Save this and refer back to it when you need it most, ✔️Take a minute to reflect on this and let me know your thoughts below, or ✔️Drop the word "YES" below if this resonated with you.
5. A visual element. We live in a noisy world, and we are constantly being bombarded with content. A simple photo or graphic can really stand out on the busy online platforms. Think about it...how often do you pass by content that does not have a picture or graphic? Then think about how often you "stop the scroll" when something catches your eye. ✔️For social media: Use high-quality images, branded graphics, or carousel posts, ✔️For blog posts: Add eye-catching feature images and break up text with relevant photos, ✔️For emails: A simple header image or a branded CTA button can boost engagement.
The Bottom Line...great content isn’t just about filling up a feed. It’s about connection, clarity, and impact. If your content is clear, engaging, valuable, actionable, and visually appealing, it will stick with people...and that’s what truly matters.
Now, tell me...which element are you struggling with most?