Starting as a new writer can be both exciting and daunting. You pour your heart into your work, only to find that your readership numbers are dismally low.

It's a common frustration among new writers: you get zero reads when you write about a topic that you are passionate about but fails to resonate with your audience.

 The key to overcoming this challenge lies in understanding and implementing strategies that can attract more readers.

Here are four easy ways new writers can increase their readership.

1. Understand Your Audience

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is writing about topics that interest them personally without considering their target audience. To capture the interest of readers, you need to understand who they are and what they care about.

Identify Your Target Audience

Start by defining who your ideal readers are. Are they young adults, professionals, parents, or hobbyists? What are their interests, concerns, and needs? Knowing this helps you tailor your content to their preferences.

Conduct Audience Research

Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and reader surveys to gather data about your audience. What are the common themes in the content they engage with? What questions are they asking? Platforms like Reddit and Quora can provide insights into trending topics and common queries within your niche.

Create Audience Personas

Develop detailed profiles of your ideal readers, known as audience personas. These should include demographics, interests, pain points, and preferred content formats. Writing with these personas in mind helps ensure your content resonates with real people.

2. Choose Topics Strategically

Writing about topics you are passionate about is important, but it's equally crucial to ensure these topics are of interest to your audience. Here’s how you can choose topics that attract readers:

Keyword Research

Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify popular search terms related to your niche. Focus on keywords with high search volumes and low competition to increase the chances of your content being discovered.

Trending Topics

Keep an eye on trending topics within your industry using tools like Google Trends, BuzzSumo, and social media platforms. Writing about current events or hot topics can significantly boost your visibility.

Content Gap Analysis

Analyze your competitors’ content to identify gaps and opportunities. What topics have they covered extensively, and what have they missed? By filling these gaps, you can offer unique value to your audience.

3. Craft Compelling Headlines

Your headline is the first thing readers see, and it determines whether they will click on your article or scroll past it. A compelling headline is crucial for attracting reads.

Be Clear and Specific

A good headline clearly conveys what the article is about. Avoid vague or generic titles. Instead, be specific about the value readers will gain from your content.

Use Power Words

Incorporate power words that evoke emotions or curiosity. Words like “easy,” “proven,” “ultimate,” and “essential” can make your headline more enticing.

Ask Questions

Questions can intrigue readers and prompt them to seek answers in your article. For example, “Are You Making These Common Writing Mistakes?” is more engaging than “Common Writing Mistakes.”

Include Numbers

Listicles are popular because they promise a specific number of valuable points. “5 Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills” is more compelling than “Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills.”

4. Optimize for SEO and Readability

Search engine optimization (SEO) and readability are key factors in getting your content discovered and retaining readers. Here’s how to optimize your articles:

On-Page SEO

Incorporate your primary keyword naturally throughout your article, including in the title, subheadings, and meta description. Use related keywords and synonyms to enhance your content’s relevance.

Meta Descriptions

Write concise and compelling meta descriptions that summarize your article and include your primary keyword. This helps improve your article’s click-through rate (CTR) from search engine results.

Internal and External Links

Include links to other relevant articles on your site (internal links) and reputable sources (external links). This not only improves your SEO but also adds value to your content by providing additional resources.

Mobile Optimization

Ensure your content is mobile-friendly. With a significant portion of readers accessing content on mobile devices, a responsive design is crucial for a positive user experience.

Readable Formatting

Break your content into small, digestible sections using subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs. Use images, infographics, and videos to enhance visual appeal and engagement.

Building a readership as a new writer requires a strategic approach. By understanding your audience, choosing topics strategically, crafting compelling headlines, and optimizing your content for SEO and readability, you can significantly increase your reads. Remember, consistency and persistence are key.

Keep refining your strategies based on feedback and analytics, and over time, you’ll see your readership grow.