The answer is yes; investing in long-form content is worthwhile because it will help your website rank higher on google.
Long-form is about Providing Value
Long-form content works well because it provides the reader with some kind of valuable information. The value could be in an in-depth analysis, usually focus on one area. Value might be in the unique perspective or information in the post, or perhaps it’s a detailed how-to, with strong listicles.
Your content needs to be fascinating and engaging and out-matching any similar content. This is because you’re competing against billions of web pages and e-newsletters published every day, as well as a reader’s precious time.
Do visitors read long-form? Some do, voraciously. Others scan, and you can make your content scannable by inserting strong subheads so scanners can find what they need, read quickly, and leave with a fast takeaway.
The Basics of Long-form Content
Long-form content is actually getting longer. A few years ago 1,200 to 1,500 words are enough. Today, 2,500 to 3,500 is classed as long-form. Gone are the days when you could bang out pithy, 500-word blog posts week in and week out. We are not saying that there’s no place for short-form. But you do need to mix it up and find the best subjects on which to create in-depth articles, as well as short form articles.
Don’t forget to include video, which works well with visual topics, product demos, or in-action posts. This may sound obvious, but a series of talking head shorts with a dull presenter won’t win any fans.
How to write Long-form Content
The first step is to think about your approach. What are the one or two key points you want to deliver? When that’s clear, do the research, ideally you’ll have three to five sources. Then plot out the logical structure, noting where subheads and visuals will fit.
What’s a logical structure? It’s not so complex or difficult — and follows the traditional storytelling process. Humans have loved stories for eons. Stories reassure, give something new, and, usually, point to a better way or brighter future.
Your post needs a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning should describe the problem or status with a paragraph about how things can get better.
The middle needs to ramp up the theme. Do this by putting more pressure in between what is and what can or will be.
Every part of your article should be strong, but the ending must be particularly powerful. Make the reader to respond your call to action, or give actionable tips. Explain where things are at, especially if there’s a struggle involved, but present the new world as one with rewards and payoffs.
Should you Outsource?
Writing like this isn’t easy. It’s going to take up your time when you might need to be focusing on business. Writing strong, colourful copy that engages and includes a call to action is a skill something that most professional writers have honed over the years. If producing a long-form content isn’t your strength, hire a good freelancer.
The SEO Rewards
Writing an in-depth piece is a lot of work, but a series of good in-depth articles will give many benefits.
Business leads are one of the more valuable aspects of long form; it generates more business leads for a greater period of time. This is because it’s likely that the article will attract backlinks and gain organic traffic from google. Longer content also creates more shares across social media, readers may share it for the full post, or for a particular section containing key information.
When it comes to content marketing the result is identical; readers rate publishers of long-form as authorities in their market or on a subject.
