![\"fake](\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/fake-election.png\")
<\/a>\r\n[Buzzfeed News shares the most popular fake election news headlines of 2016.]\r\n\r\nOmg, what did Pope Francis\u2019 statement say? What is Hillary\u2019s other bombshell? By triggering these questions through effective foreshadowing in their article headlines, content writers created articles that went viral on Facebook. So, make sure you\u2019re unfailingly dangling a carrot in front of your readers.\r\n<\/p>\r\n
How to Write Exceptionally Helpful Content With the Show, Don\u2019t Tell<\/em> Method<\/h3>\r\n\r\nWriters are constantly advising each other to \u201cshow,\u201d not tell. What does this mean, and how you apply it to web content?<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \t\u201cJohn sat on a chair,\u201d is telling<\/em>.<\/p><\/li>\r\n \t\u201cAs John lowered himself into his favorite unwinding spot in the house, that day\u2019s burdens all but disappeared,\u201d is showing<\/em>.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWhen you can effectively show<\/em>, there\u2019s no need to tell.<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\nApplying this technique to content writing isn\u2019t rocket science. Leverage it to keep readers interested. Instead of employing statements like, \u201cThis product is amazing,\u201d engage readers with powerful wording such as, \u201cAfter only seven days, users have seen a 300% increase in the efficiency of X.\u201d<\/em>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"Show](\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Show-Dont-Tell.jpeg\")
<\/a>\r\n[Be more helpful to your web content readers by showing, not just telling.]\r\n\r\nYou can also \u201cshow\u201d with images and video. When paired with a relevant image, retention of information is increased 55%<\/a>. Additionally, infographics are liked and shared 3X more often<\/a> than any other type of content on social media. So, when creating online content, provide visualization through writing, images, and video that shows<\/em> how the product, service, or tactic at hand will benefit your reader.\r\n<\/p>\r\nFlashbacks Aren\u2019t Just Used for Dramatic Impact<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
In fiction writing, flashbacks are used to add to the drama of a scene or to explain why an event is occurring. They are used in a subtle way, through a change in writing tense (between past and present) from paragraph to paragraph, or as an entire book chapter that takes place in the past. But, they aren\u2019t reserved to literature – you can strategically use them in your web content.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
You won\u2019t want to employ this tactic in every single piece of web content you create, at the risk of saturating your website with dated information. Still, flashbacks can get people to check out content you\u2019ve published in the past.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
To effectively flashback to content on an external page, provide a summary of what you\u2019re about to present, without sharing the entire point, then link to the content.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Here\u2019s a real example of how to use a content flashback:<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\nYou\u2019re going to want to do everything you can to get traffic to your website. There are many methods for doing so – some more efficient than others. Learn how to create both SEO and user-friendly content that keeps readers pouring through the gates with these 9 content writing tactics<\/a>, published two months ago on MonsterPost.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIt\u2019s pretty straightforward. This can also be done by linking to infographics, with a summary and sneak-peek screenshot of what readers will see after clicking-through:\r\nWhen creating imagery for your content, tools will help you get the job done. Are you trying to decide whether to use Sketch or Photoshop to create compelling images? Helga Morena has already done the research for you and she shared it in this infographic<\/a> last year.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"Screen](\"\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Screen-Shot-2017-01-19-at-12.42.03-PM.png\")
<\/a>\r\n[Flashback to a past infographic on your site to drive traffic with a partial screenshot.]\r\n\r\nTry out this tactic in your articles and on social media posts to drive traffic to previously-posted content.\r\n<\/p>\r\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
Foreshadowing, \u201cshow, don\u2019t tell,\u201d and flashbacks are writing techniques that are traditionally used in fiction writing, but can supercharge your web content. Foreshadowing can make your readers want to engage. The show, don\u2019t tell method can make your message more helpful. Flashbacks can be used to get traffic to content that has been around for awhile. If you can master these techniques, you can take your content marketing to the next level. What other fiction writing strategies have you used for online marketing, if any? Tell us about it in the comments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stacey Wonder<\/strong><\/a> is a freelancer who likes all things writing. She is now engaged in the Essay Tigers<\/a> project. Stacey also loves traveling and devouring books.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cJohn sat on a chair,\u201d is telling<\/em>.<\/p><\/li>\r\n \t \u201cAs John lowered himself into his favorite unwinding spot in the house, that day\u2019s burdens all but disappeared,\u201d is showing<\/em>.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n When you can effectively show<\/em>, there\u2019s no need to tell.<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n Applying this technique to content writing isn\u2019t rocket science. Leverage it to keep readers interested. Instead of employing statements like, \u201cThis product is amazing,\u201d engage readers with powerful wording such as, \u201cAfter only seven days, users have seen a 300% increase in the efficiency of X.\u201d<\/em>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n You can also \u201cshow\u201d with images and video. When paired with a relevant image, retention of information is increased 55%<\/a>. Additionally, infographics are liked and shared 3X more often<\/a> than any other type of content on social media. So, when creating online content, provide visualization through writing, images, and video that shows<\/em> how the product, service, or tactic at hand will benefit your reader.\r\n<\/p>\r\n In fiction writing, flashbacks are used to add to the drama of a scene or to explain why an event is occurring. They are used in a subtle way, through a change in writing tense (between past and present) from paragraph to paragraph, or as an entire book chapter that takes place in the past. But, they aren\u2019t reserved to literature – you can strategically use them in your web content.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n You won\u2019t want to employ this tactic in every single piece of web content you create, at the risk of saturating your website with dated information. Still, flashbacks can get people to check out content you\u2019ve published in the past.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n To effectively flashback to content on an external page, provide a summary of what you\u2019re about to present, without sharing the entire point, then link to the content.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n Here\u2019s a real example of how to use a content flashback:<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n You\u2019re going to want to do everything you can to get traffic to your website. There are many methods for doing so – some more efficient than others. Learn how to create both SEO and user-friendly content that keeps readers pouring through the gates with these 9 content writing tactics<\/a>, published two months ago on MonsterPost.<\/em><\/p>\r\nIt\u2019s pretty straightforward. This can also be done by linking to infographics, with a summary and sneak-peek screenshot of what readers will see after clicking-through:\r\n When creating imagery for your content, tools will help you get the job done. Are you trying to decide whether to use Sketch or Photoshop to create compelling images? Helga Morena has already done the research for you and she shared it in this infographic<\/a> last year.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Try out this tactic in your articles and on social media posts to drive traffic to previously-posted content.\r\n<\/p>\r\n Foreshadowing, \u201cshow, don\u2019t tell,\u201d and flashbacks are writing techniques that are traditionally used in fiction writing, but can supercharge your web content. Foreshadowing can make your readers want to engage. The show, don\u2019t tell method can make your message more helpful. Flashbacks can be used to get traffic to content that has been around for awhile. If you can master these techniques, you can take your content marketing to the next level. What other fiction writing strategies have you used for online marketing, if any? Tell us about it in the comments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Stacey Wonder<\/strong><\/a> is a freelancer who likes all things writing. She is now engaged in the Essay Tigers<\/a> project. Stacey also loves traveling and devouring books.<\/p>\r\n<\/a>\r\n[Be more helpful to your web content readers by showing, not just telling.]\r\n\r\nFlashbacks Aren\u2019t Just Used for Dramatic Impact<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
<\/a>\r\n[Flashback to a past infographic on your site to drive traffic with a partial screenshot.]\r\n\r\nConclusion<\/h3>\r\n\r\n