Part 2 of 3 in our Content Series
The second thing you need to do is determine how to present this big idea or thesis uniquely. There are four content writing techniques to accomplish this. Specifically, you can present the content using an:
- Angle
- Acronym
- Alliteration
- Analogy
Let's take a closer look at each of these methods…
Option One: Angle
The first way to make your content unique is to develop an angle. This is the way you approach the subject of your content. Once you know your angle, then it's easier to write the content since the angle controls what to include in the piece. And since angles are often surprising, it also makes your content unique.
For example, let's suppose your subject revolves around the reasons to get a dog. If you just starting writing based on that subject alone, your end result may be a bit scattered and perhaps sound very similar to other existing pieces of content.
Instead, you pick an angle. E.G., "Why Dogs Make the Best Friends." Now you have an angle, and you can easily write five, seven, ten or more points to support this singular angle. And because you've now organized your content under a succinct angle, you've got a unique piece of content that will stand out and garner more attention.
Here's the next method for turning a standard piece of content into something unique…
Option Two: Acronym
Here's where you take a set of steps or tips and turn them into a memorable, unique acronym. You can then refer to this acronym as a system or formula.
For example, I have a course called "W.R.I.T.E. Like a Pro," where I show people how to use the W.R.I.T.E. formula to create high-quality content.
I could have used just a standard "Step 1, "Step 2" how-to process. But that's what everyone does when sharing this sort of information.
By creating the "W.R.I.T.E." formula, my content instantly becomes unique, memorable, and it stands out from other existing content.
The really advantageous part of using an acronym in this manner is that you can create something that literally is the only one of its kind in existence. No one else in the world will have the exact same presentation of the information that you do.
That. Makes. It. Truly. Unique.
And the only place to get it is through you.
How to Create an Acronym for Your Content
Let me give you a breakdown of how to create an acronym for your step-by-step content.
Step 1: List
First, list out all the steps of your how-to process so that you have an idea of how long of a word your acronym will be.
Step 2: Brainstorm
Next, brainstorm fitting, relevant words that have approximately the same number of letters as you have steps in your information (give or take one or two letters). For example, if you have a weight loss course that's four or five steps long, you might brainstorm words like DIET or HEALTH.
Step 3: Modify
Third, combine steps or add additional steps to better fit your preferred acronyms. For example, if you have five steps and you decide to create a four-letter acronym (like DIET), then you'd combine two of your steps.
Step 4: Fit
Fourth, now brainstorm how to make your steps fit the acronym. An easy way to do this is to use Google and search for "words that start with [whatever letter you're working on]." Or visit Thesaurus.com and search for synonyms that fit the letter you need for your acronym.
Hint: From the four options, the "acronym" is my favorite because it is easy and engaging. I recommend that you start with this option.
Here's the next method…
Option Three: Alliteration
This method involves using a group of words that all have the same first letter. As you may have noticed, this lesson you're reading right now makes use of alliteration (Angle, Acronym, Alliteration, Analogy).
You can use this strategy to list anything from steps to tips to ways/methods. For example, if you're teaching someone how to plan out a homeschool calendar, your steps might include:
- Choose Your Curriculum
- Create A Schedule
- Celebrate Milestones
Do other people in the niche share the same overall process? Yep. But yours is much more memorable and unique because of the alliteration!
Now the next method for crafting unique content…
Option Four: Analogy
Still another way to make your content unique is to compare the topic you're teaching to something else. And, ideally, this comparison should be between two items that typically aren't compared. If the comparison surprises the reader, they're going to be engaged and eager to read on. And of course, this is a method that makes your content stand out in a crowded field of competitors.
Let me give you an example...
A good friend of mine, Paul Evans, once combined alliteration and analogy into the title of a public speaking course entitled Audio C4. The four modules in the course all began with the letter "C" (alliteration) and centered around the idea of creating "explosive" presentations (analogy - C4 is a military grade explosive).
While there are many different public speaking courses, his stood out because of the uniqueness of the way he presented the content. The course itself was genuinely helpful to his customers, but what aided in convincing them to become his customers was his unique positioning.
If you just list the typical steps of a process, it's not going to be unique. Anyone who's read anything about the subject matter will likely think it sounds much like the contributions of everyone else who has written or spoken about it.
What you strive to do is...
Create Something Your Target Audience Hasn't Seen Before
Originality always stands out. Sometimes for the better; sometimes for the worse. But it always stands out. You are, obviously, aiming to stand out in a good way.
Your Next Step
Your assignment for this lesson is to brainstorm how to use these different content writing techniques to make your work unique. For this assignment, pick one topic. Then answer these questions:
- What type of angle could you use to make this topic unique?
- What sort of alliteration could you include to make this topic unique?
- What sort of acronym could you use to make this topic unique?
- What sort of analogy could you use to make this topic unique?
Take note that you can use multiple methods. For example, you might develop a unique angle and include an acronym, or combine alliteration and an analogy like in the earlier example.
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