Research Strategies to Enhance Content Writing
Research is the foundation that makes content truly stand out. It’s what turns an ordinary article into something exceptional. When time is taken to dig deep and gather the right information, writing becomes much easier. There’s no need to guess or fill space; everything is built on solid ground. The flow improves because the facts are in place.
With proper research, content doesn’t just sound good—it carries the authority of someone who knows the subject well. The right information adds weight to the words. Readers notice when content is well-researched rather than just fluff. This is how content becomes distinctive: ensuring every word is backed by thorough, thoughtful research.
Understanding the Audience
When it comes to creating content that resonates, it’s all about understanding what matters most to the audience. This requires more than surface-level research; it involves digging deep into the web to uncover the insights that truly make a difference.
- Dig Deep into the Web: Explore beyond the first page of search results. Dive into forums, niche blogs, and social media platforms where honest conversations happen.
- Gain Inspiration by Hearing What Real People Are Asking: Online communities, Q&A platforms and social media comments are treasure troves of inspiration. They provide direct access to the questions and concerns of the audience.
- Discover New Opportunities to Provide Value While researching, new opportunities often emerge. Maybe there’s a common problem that hasn’t been fully addressed or a topic that needs more in-depth coverage.
Find What Readers Care About
Identifying the target audience is not just about gathering information but doing so with the right mindset. The focus should be on the reader, considering their demographics, preferences, and what truly matters to them.
Understanding the target audience’s pain points, lingo, culture, and objectives is crucial. What challenges are they facing? What language do they use when discussing these challenges? What are their goals?
Understanding the audience’s problems and needs is the first step in crafting content that resonates. By identifying these factors, content can be tailored to address their specific needs and resonate on a deeper level.
| Focus Area | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Research with the Reader in Mind | Consider the reader’s perspective. What are their concerns? What do they want to know? Researching with these questions ensures relevant and engaging content. |
| Questions They Ask | Identify common questions the audience asks. Addressing these needs directly in the content makes it more useful. |
| Slang and Jargon | Understand the language, slang, and jargon used by the target audience. This adds authenticity and relatability, showing a deep understanding of the subject. |
| Pain Points | Recognise the audience’s pain points. Addressing their challenges makes the content more valuable and impactful. |
| Industry Influencers | Know the key figures or influencers in the industry who are familiar to the audience. This helps in creating content that resonates and connects. |
| What Matters Most | Identify the most important to the audience—efficiency, quality, or cost. Aligning content with these priorities ensures it resonates. |
| Fun and Useful Information | Include fun and useful information to keep the content engaging. This ensures that readers find value beyond just the basics. |
Using Multiple Channels and Sources for Research
Gather a more comprehensive understanding of the topic by using multiple channels and sources, ensuring content is both accurate and engaging.
- Google SERP: Analyze the top-ranking content for the target keywords. Look at what headlines, formats, and types of content are performing well.
- YouTube: Look for videos related to the topic, paying attention to the comments section. Here, viewers often share their thoughts, ask questions, and express their needs.
- Reddit: Search for subreddits related to the industry or topic. These discussions are often candid and provide a window into the audience’s genuine opinions and pain points.
- Quora: It’s a great place to see what questions the audience is asking about a particular topic.
- Social Media: Use platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to learn current trends and what’s being discussed. Monitor hashtags, follow industry influencers, and engage with followers to get a sense of what’s important to the community.
- Industry Forums and Sites: These platforms often host discussions among professionals, providing a deeper understanding of industry-specific issues, terminology, and best practices.
How to Use SERP for Research
Using the entire Search Engine Results Page (SERP) is like peering into the reader’s mind—or, more accurately, seeing what Google thinks the reader cares about.
- Check the Top 5 Competitor Articles: Start by analysing the top five articles that appear in the search results for your target keywords. These are the competitors that Google considers most relevant. Take note of their structure, headings, and the depth of their content. What topics are they covering? What angles are they taking?
- Explore the ‘People Also Ask’ Section: Click on as many questions as possible and dive into the answers provided. This shows what people are curious about and leads to additional related questions.
- Look at Video Titles: Videos often offer clues about what readers are searching for. Video creators typically craft titles to capture attention and closely match search intent.
- Use Meta Descriptions for Inspiration: Meta descriptions, while short, are crafted to entice clicks. They often summarise the key points or benefits of the content. Notice what stands out and what could be used to include in the content.
- Look at Related Search Terms: At the bottom of the SERP, Google provides a list of related search terms. These terms are a reflection of what people are searching for in connection with the main keyword. They represent alternative angles or subtopics that are important to the audience.
How to Use YouTube as a Research Tool
With billions of searches conducted monthly, YouTube is a vast repository of information. Using it to research can reveal what people are actively searching for.
The platform’s search suggestions and video recommendations are based on real user behaviour, providing a direct look into the topics and questions that matter most to the audience.
- Learn and Hear How Real People and Experts Talk About the Topic Watching videos allows one to hear the language, tone, and terminology used by experts and everyday people when discussing a topic. This can help one better understand the subject from different perspectives.
- Get a Window into What the Most Popular Videos Cover: Popular videos rise to the top because they effectively address viewers’ wants. Analysing these videos reveals what topics, angles, and presentation styles resonate most with the audience. What questions do these videos answer? What content formats (tutorials, reviews, discussions) are most effective?
- Click on Related Topics for New Ideas: YouTube’s algorithm suggests related videos and topics based on what is currently being viewed. Clicking through these suggestions can lead to fresh ideas and new angles that might not have been considered. This exploration can uncover subtopics, related issues, or trending discussions that add depth and breadth to the content.
- Read the Comments to Understand What People Are Talking About: The comments section is where viewers share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage in discussions. Reading these comments provides a deeper understanding of what the audience finds valuable, confusing, or intriguing about the topic.
Organising and Outlining Researched Data
To manage research effectively, create a system that allows for easy retrieval and categorisation of information. Start by setting up folders or categories based on key topics or themes.
Each piece of research—a document, link, or note—should be stored in the relevant folder, clearly labelled for quick access.
Several tools are available to make research organisations more efficient. Tools like Evernote, Notion, or Google Drive allow for the creation of digital notebooks or repositories where all research can be stored and easily accessed. These platforms often support tagging, which allows for cross-referencing between topics.
Once the research is organised, the next step is to create a structured outline for the content. Start by identifying the main themes or sections that need to be covered.
Under each section, list the key points or findings from the research. This process helps organise thoughts and ensure the topic covers all important aspects. The outline serves as a roadmap, guiding the writing process and helping maintain a logical flow.
Conclusion
Investing time in thorough research may require extra effort, but the payoff is undeniable. It ensures that your content is accurate, relevant, impactful, and memorable.
So, embrace the research process, knowing it’s the key to creating content that elevates your brand and connects meaningfully with your audience.
At ARCC, we offer SEO-focused content writing services. Our team delivers content that’s both informative and strategically optimised for search engine success. Interested in taking your content to the next level? Reach out to us to see how we can help.
