The Renovation Method is a three-step process for writing high-quality content by building on content that already exists. This methodology is used by every content writer guest posting as a link building strategy used to rank your website.
It structures your writing to be creative and conversational while including all of the attributes and technical elements that will get your article published and syndicated. The skills you take away from this method of blogging are invaluable for developing a profitable blog with loyal readers.
Have you ever read an article that flowed so smoothly it was like you could hear the person talking to you? Writing at this level of fluidity is an art that can be practiced and mastered. The skill allows you to create killer posts that entertain and engage while educating and enlightening your readers.
The Renovation Method encourages the creative side of writing and infuses the technical elements after your thoughts have been manifested to your screen. This article is significant for those who recognize how important guest blogging is as a link building strategy.
The main concept of the Renovation Method is that you avoid outsourcing a freelancer for writing by creating quality content that meets and exceeds what currently exists. The method involves curating the latest developments and trends on the topic you’re writing about. Essentially, you are building on available knowledge and centralizing content to write your own unique articles that compete with the best performing content in your related topic.
Rule #1: Read, research and curate ideas the day before writing
The day before you write about a topic is when your research begins. It’s good practice to read articles related to your topic in order to brush up on details and freshen opinions and statistics you find interesting. When you write about content that is fresh on your mind your writing will flow more naturally in a conversational tone.
The takeaway to reading and researching the day before as part of your writing routine is that the topic is fresh in your mind to converse about while stating your opinion or developing your ideas. Write as if you were talking to your audience in person in order to let the words flow from your mind to the screen in conversation that has been inspired by fresh ideas from well-rounded research and personal opinion.
The bonus to this is you can create SEO content to rank. Google loves content that’s fresh, recent and relevant. You can create all this while expressing what’s on your mind in your own words.
If you were to write your own article immediately after reading an article by another author, the tendency would be to quote or repeat what you just read.
By reading the day before you are “information-loading”, letting it marinate and then serving up a masterpiece the next day.
Rule #2: Never look back
Write as if you were talking to someone discussing a topic in person. Don’t stop typing, don’t go back to correct phrases or re-read paragraphs until you are finished writing your article.
The theory is that once you start re-reading your writing you get lost in semantics and lose focus on the direction of the article and the point you are developing. Even correcting spelling mistakes is a form of looking back that diverts focus from what you’re writing.
Write what needs to be said to explain your thoughts in their entirety. Keep in mind how you would speak to someone in person to make the article conversational, relaxed and take on personal characteristics and mannerisms. You will be surprised how many words you are able to write when you don’t focus so much on creating perfect content and just focus on delivering your message.
Rule #3: Renovate your content
Read through and “renovate” your content with a specific focus that adds quality to your article. For example, your first renovation should be proofread to correct any typos, grammar, spelling mistakes, and finish any undeveloped points you’ve made in your article. The first phase of renovations is to improve the flow of your article and make sure it reads well.
After the first renovation, create your titles and subheadings. Make a list of 10 options for titles. Your title is the single most important part of your article since it is what will attract the click from potential readers and plays a very crucial role in the click-through rate your article receives.
Renovate your article again to add statistics, quotes, links and cite resources. As you add your links and resources you will find yourself adding more detail to your article to further develop ideas with more thorough explanations.
Repeat and renovate as many times as you feel necessary. Every time you read your article you improve its quality by building on what already exists. Your finished product is an article that includes current and relevant topics influenced by credible sources with your own renovations that make the article a fresh, new and improved piece of content.
12 Helpful hints to enhance your writing
- Use an original and attention-grabbing headline.
- Use your keyword near the beginning of your title.
- Use numbers, stats and percentages within your title.
- Describe how you’re solving a problem.
- Choose a quiet, clean, and consistent place to write
- Dedicate a time to read about your industry that is non-negotiable.
- Choose to read articles from the most credible sources in your niche.
- Identify hot topics by talking to clients.
- Scan through forums and social media groups to find relevant issues.
- Get your creative juices flowing with “The burner paragraph.”
- Choose keywords and phrases that are most relevant to your article and make a list with multiple variations.
- Perform searches using the seed keywords you’ve selected for your article.
Use an original and attention-grabbing headline.
Create a title that will attract people to click on your article over any other. Writing great headlines is crucial to the success of your article. Choose descriptive words that pop out to readers and have the sizzle effect (when just saying it slices through the air and perks up the ears.)
Use your keywords near the beginning of your title.
Keep your keywords near the front end of your title to attract more clicks. When the search term is spotted in the title it will generate more attention and interest in your article. If your title is cut off for any reason you will also have the most important and descriptive words included at the beginning.
Use numbers, stats and percentages within your title.
According to a study by Conductor, headlines using statistics and numbers in your title will draw the click 36% more than having a title without. Titles with odd numbers experience a 20% higher click-through rate.
Describe how you’re solving a problem.
Readers love solutions to problems. By describing how you are solving a problem within your title you appealing to their interest by detailing what they will be able to do when they finish reading your article.
Choose a quiet, clean, and consistent place to write.
The more ritualistic you are with the conditions of where you work, the more comfortable you will feel which will allow you to relax and focus more on what you’re writing.
Dedicate a time to read about your industry that is non-negotiable.
In order to maintain an arsenal of noteworthy points, it’s necessary to make reading a regular habit in your routine. Stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in your industry to share a broader range of insight within your writing. The more you read, the more you improve your vocabulary, communication skills and style of writing.
Choose to read articles from the most credible sources in your niche.
You may not be getting accurate information from sources that haven’t established their expertise or authority in your niche. The more you read the more you will recognize prolific voices in your industry that offer the best information. Staying sharp and up to date with your info is crucial if you want to produce great articles that people will learn from and enjoy reading.
Identify topics that resonate with your clients.
Talk to clients about their experiences with your product and what has helped them the most. Find out what they have disliked the most about their experiences related to your business to uncover firsthand what types of content really matters.
Scan through forums and social media groups to find the most relevant issues.
The most relevant issues are found in extensive comment threads and topics posed as questions. Here you will find the type of content that will have the most impact on people’s lives. Use your findings to make your articles more meaningful.
Get your creative juices flowing with “The burner paragraph.”
If you get stuck for whatever reason and are having trouble starting an article-just type. Do not overthink what you are writing. Let whatever is on your mind out through the keyboard and onto your screen. You may end up with what is called “the burner paragraph” which is a block of writing that isn’t written well or may not even be on topic.
The purpose of “the burner paragraph” gets the juices flowing, ignites creativity and sparks ideas in regards to the direction of the article. When you have exhausted your burner paragraph, start a new line and the second paragraph becomes the first one of your article. You can now start writing again with more focus on the direction you’re taking and the points you’re making.
Choose keywords and phrases that are most relevant to your article and make a list with multiple variations.
Create a list of keywords to enhance the optimization of your page by using them throughout the body of your content as well as in subheadings. The use of LSI keywords throughout an article is an effective and safe form of optimizing an article.
Perform searches using the seed keywords you’ve selected for your article.
Search intent has become the most important factor in building content that gets ranked on Google. Add to your list of keywords by writing down any questions in Googles “people also ask” box and any phrases in “searches related to” at the bottom of the search engine result page. By incorporating as many of these search phrases as questions, answers and topics in your article you enhance your page’s ability to satisfy search intent.