8 Lessons for Content Marketers From Fiction Writers

At its core, content marketing is storytelling. The entire purpose is to engage your audience and keep their attention, just like a good piece of fiction writing. So whether you’re a content marketing firm in Utah, or a business on the East Coast, here are eight lessons all content marketers can learn from fiction writers.

Show, Don’t Tell  

If you’ve ever taken even a basic writing class, you’ve heard this rule. It applies to fiction writing, and also to content marketing. Customers don’t want you to tell them about your product, they want you to show them how it will make their life better. 

Use Conflict 

From Utah to the West Coast, one surefire way to engage your reader is to create conflict in your writing. Creatively using this in your content marketing can keep your reader’s attention. 

Be Passionate 

If you really believe in what you are writing, it shows and your customers will see it too. 

Make Your Writing Sound Good 

Make sure you edit and rewrite your pieces. Content marketing shouldn’t be boring. It should be good writing. This means using fewer adverbs, avoiding ridiculous punctuation and distracting details. 

Tell a Story 

Just like a piece of fiction writing, content marketing should tell a story. Use action words, build background, and as stated above, use conflict to keep your reader engaged. 

Use Examples 

Fiction writing is full of figurative language to help the reader see the story in their mind. Content marketing should use good, quantifiable examples to show the reader how, from Utah to the Gulf Coast, the product will improve their life. 

Use Action Words 

Use verbs to tell your story. These keep your reader engaged and really show them what is happening as opposed to just telling them about your product. 

Use Suspense 

Suspense keeps your reader going from beginning to the end. Do not answer all the questions upfront and then explain everything. Fill the space between the question and the answer with useful information to keep your reader going. 

Ryan Muir writes for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. He writes for many other clients as well. Follow on Twitter.